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September 4, 2026 at 10:58 AM

Top Picks: Money not the key to needed public school improvement

Local manufacturing rides data wave, dairy farms’ big decline, Tiffany and Crowley on housing  In this edition: Raise standards, not taxes Housing on the stump Unsung data boom beneficiaries The great dairy farm decline 📉  Mandate for Madison From failing to flourishing: Three ways to help Wi…

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August 28, 2026 at 10:56 AM

Top Picks: State economy’s untapped potential

Curtailing childcare costs, candidates in lockstep on minimum markup, food spending per capita  In this edition: Wisconsin’s productivity puzzle Stop the childcare cost spiral Minimum markup on the stump Food spending per capita 📈  Mandate for Madison Strong foundations, untapped potential: W…

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August 21, 2026 at 5:58 AM

Top Picks: Subsidies aren’t solving the childcare issue

TIF discipline, household size by county, the great data center debate  In this edition: A new approach to affordable childcare Data centers on the stump Be careful what you TIF for Household size by county 📊  Mandate for Madison Wisconsin’s childcare subsidies, regulations fail for families …

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August 14, 2026 at 10:54 AM

Top Picks: Fair is fair, even for data centers

The power of parental choice, income tax policy, Medicaid nearly back to baseline  In this edition: Data center sales tax treatment Parents choose, students succeed Medicaid nearly back to baseline Income taxes on the stump  Analysis Wisconsin should stop treating data centers worse than othe…

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August 10, 2026 at 6:35 PM

Sunsetting school choice would be irresponsible

Student gains in jeopardy with loss of options  Viewpoint Why shut down schools that put kids more than a year ahead?New study finds school choice is ‘like skipping a grade’ for working-class kids, yet critics would slam the doorBy Patrick McIlheran A major party’s likely nominee for governor, state…

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August 7, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Top Picks: Hong’s substandard economics

Ron Johnson vs. Medicaid fraud, where candidates stand on choice, household debt per capita  In this edition: Hong’s substandard economics Wisconsin debt and delinquency New scrutiny for Medicaid fraud School choice on the stump  Viewpoint Teaching economics, electing to ignore it Wisconsin…

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July 31, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Top Picks: Abolish the police: Rhetoric vs. reality

Welfare Reform 2.0, household debt data, Wisconsin’s right to work   In this edition: Fight poverty, promote employment Household debt data 📊 Un-abolishing law enforcement Wisconsin’s right to work   Viewpoint It’s time for Welfare Reform 2.0 in Wisconsin By Ben Eisen In the summer of 1996, Pre…

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July 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Top Picks: Biased Madison faculty can learn lesson from Florida

State’s unclaimed property process, minimum markup map, billions at stake with Act 10   In this edition: University culture reformed Primer on unclaimed property Badger State of inflated prices Act 10 on the stump   Viewpoint Florida could teach Wisconsin how to demand a more open-minded academ…

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July 17, 2026 at 10:52 AM

Top Picks: Court texts do right by victims, taxpayers, and more

Remembering Mark Schug and Mike Mooney, the case for auditing Medicaid, share of wed Wisconsinites sinks   In this edition: Simple reminders, big benefits  Marriage data downtrend 📉 Remembering Mark Schug Remembering Mike Mooney   Analysis More Wisconsin circuit courts use text reminders to mov…

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July 10, 2026 at 11:03 AM

Top Picks: How to let more Wisconsinites climb out of poverty

“Teen takeovers,” social accountability, state’s manufacturing output   In this edition: Work. Family. Upward mobility. Overcoming “black fatigue” Inflation’s toll on Wisconsin manufacturing   Mandate for Madison How to strengthen the climb from the safety net Streamlining programs and teachi…

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July 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM

The promise of America

Happy Fourth of July  Flag-flying builders and the promise of America I live north of Port Washington, not far from the massive Lighthouse Data Center that is rising up from the former farm fields just west of I-43. I pass by the development almost every day, and it’s stunning what builders can do, …

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July 3, 2026 at 10:57 AM

Top Picks: The price of popular disdain for data centers

Reflecting on economic freedom, working age vs. retirement age, energy for Wisconsin’s future   In this edition: Dollars matter in data center debate Energy on the stump 🔌 Principles over politics Working-age Wisconsinites 📉   Analysis Data centers could be a godsend — if communities let them …

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June 26, 2026 at 10:57 AM

Top Picks: Wisconsin missing its Medicaid moment

State’s suspended driver problem, hotspots for new housing, Badger on the stump   In this edition: Preventing Medicaid fraud New housing hotspots 🏡 Suspended drivers evade enforcement Badger on the stump   Mandate for Madison Wisconsin is missing its Medicaid accountability moment By Mark Lis…

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June 24, 2026 at 6:52 PM

NEW resource: Badger on the stump

Important issues explained and explored   Badger on the stump Issues explained, who supports whatAs a nonprofit research organization, the Badger Institute is not in the business of campaigning for any politician or political party. We are, however, in the business of championing ideas that support…

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June 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM

Top Picks: Wisconsin, the tax laggard

Served by superior data speed, house prices continue climbing, merits of nixing minimum markup   In this edition: The right call on income tax House prices keep climbing 📈 Data center proximity perks A would-be win for Wisconsin   Viewpoint Wisconsin should choose the right side of the income t…

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June 12, 2026 at 10:52 AM

Top Picks: Scholarship Tax Credit — what, who, when and how

Civil society can meet grocery needs, Crowley calls for minimum markup repeal, Wisconsin immigrants by the numbers   In this edition: Scholarship Tax Credit FAQ Foreign-born Wisconsinites 📈 Civil society serves city better + Crowley on minimum markup  Q&A Facts to help you decide whether Wi…

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June 5, 2026 at 10:53 AM

Top Picks: Public school superintendents favor tax-credit scholarships

Bathroom controversy in New Richmond, union membership shrinking, more scholarship talk on radio   In this edition: Superintendents split from Evers State of the unions 📉 New Richmond’s bathroom battle Wisconsin students left out 🎧   Analysis Public school leaders look forward to possible priva…

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May 29, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Top Picks: How to prune executive power creep

Next-level education philanthropy, Evers’ historic pardon pace, real fruit of economic freedom   In this edition: Opaque antics erode public trust Bipartisan support for ed tax credit Evers’ prolific pardons 📈 ICYMI: Real gains worth fighting for   Mandate for Madison Restoring accountability …

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May 22, 2026 at 10:58 AM

Top Picks: How our universities are failing

The passing of Bob Woodson, struggling readers fall through the cracks, homicides up in Milwaukee   In this edition: Toward stronger state universities Homicides up in Milwaukee 📈 Lack of clarity hurts shaky readers Glacial pace of government 🎧   Mandate for Madison Building on the Wisconsin h…

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May 15, 2026 at 10:57 AM

Top Picks: Surplus analysis, policy vs. politics

EV charging progress check, state special ed spending data, another progressive governor signs on for scholarship program   In this edition: The best use of taxpayers’ surplus Special ed spending visualized 📈 State’s meager EV momentum $1.8 million unauthorized 🎧   Analysis Failure of tax-and-s…

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May 8, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Top Picks: State’s clandestine climate spending

Tax burden of European proportions, young adult workers by the numbers, learning from Milwaukee’s past   In this edition: State’s clandestine climate spending Socialists’ draconian tax policy A working knowledge of young Wisconsinites 📈   News Behind the curtain, Evers administration diverts tax…

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May 1, 2026 at 10:53 AM

Top Picks: Badger State socialism, old and new

Closing time for MPS, streetcar stagnation, next step toward nixing emissions tests   In this edition: The truth about socialism Hop’s humbling winter 📉 Closing time for MPS Hidden cost of grade inflation 🎧   Analysis Socialists’ Milwaukee golden age and the light it sheds now By Patrick McIlh…

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April 24, 2026 at 10:57 AM

Top Picks: A cautionary tale of progressive policies

Real grades matter for graduates’ finances, TIF talk on radio, graphing Midwest gas prices   In this edition: How to halt a promising economy Learn less, earn less Gas and global conflict 📈 TIF in the toolbox 🎧   Viewpoint For glimpse of a dismal Wisconsin future, just look at our Great Lakes ne…

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April 17, 2026 at 10:56 AM

Top Picks: Port vote threatens state growth

Family structure and academic achievement, Point Beach’s preeminent power In this edition: Port vote threatens state growth Family structure matters Nuclear’s electric output Tax flattened, economy unleashed   Analysis Referendums on development could kill state’s growth Process and uncertai…

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April 10, 2026 at 10:54 AM

Top Picks: The proof is in Kenosha’s pudding

Low-value degrees challenged, Evers signs significant housing bill, which crimes are doing time In this edition: Economic attraction, if we can keep it College vs. career earnings Big win for housing supply ✅ Prison population by category   Viewpoints Wisconsin’s southern border shows what fre…

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April 3, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Top Picks: Remembering Tom Howatt, emissions debate developing

40-year high mark for labor freedom, schools snubbed by Evers, real but fragile economic gains In this edition: New call to end emissions testing Remembering Tom Howatt Schools snubbed by Evers’ veto Labor market freedom 📈   News Forty-year-old vehicle emissions program under new scrutiny Ti…

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March 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Top Picks: Border counties tell the tale of free-market success

Inaugural chapter of the 2026 Mandate for Madison  Mandate for Madison research The Wisconsin experiment in economic freedom Evidence from border counties indicates increased economic freedom encourages prosperityBy James Bohn The 20th century could be viewed as Wisconsin’s progressive century. W…

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March 26, 2026 at 2:10 PM

2026 Mandate for Madison launches today

Wisconsin’s agenda for opportunity and prosperity  Badger Institute launches 2026 Mandate for Madison March 26, 2026 The Badger Institute today launches its 2026 Mandate for Madison, a comprehensive policy agenda to preserve and promote opportunity for Wisconsin and its citizens.The 2026 Mandate wil…

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March 24, 2026 at 3:05 PM

Evers signs ban on food stamp sweets

State will seek waiver to prohibit candy and soft drinks with FoodShare  SNAP ban on candy and soft drinks crosses finish lineGov. Evers signed bipartisan bill Monday The Badger Institute today congratulates legislators and Gov. Tony Evers for passing new legislation that will prohibit FoodShare rec…

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March 20, 2026 at 10:51 AM

Top Picks: Real solutions for a state losing teachers

Door open to 3-year degrees, EVs by the numbers, amendment vote forthcoming In this edition: Flexible fixes for teacher loss UW students’ expedited degrees Improving teacher pipeline 🎧 EV registrations shift into low gear   Report How to keep good teachers in the classroom Last of a Badger I…

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March 17, 2026 at 7:43 PM

How to keep good teachers in the classroom

Nine recommendations to tackle teacher loss  How to keep good teachers in the classroom Last of a Badger Institute series about teacher loss in Wisconsin schools and what policymakers and administrators can do about it.Teachers who have fled a school or the profession altogether — and there are many…

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March 13, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Top Picks: Teaching talent hard to come by, even for independent schools

Public opinion on data centers, labor force participation falls, teacher testimony makes splash In this edition: Choice & charter’s turn to speak Hasta la data, baby Labor force participation 📉 Chaos in the classroom 🎧   Report In talent squeeze, independent schools respond — and seek reli…

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March 6, 2026 at 11:53 AM

Top Picks: Why teachers flee (in their own words)

From Wisconsin to Iran and back again, ozone by the numbers, toward swifter justice In this edition: Classroom turnover: Teachers tell all State’s ozone audit 📉 Escaping Iranian captivity 🎧 Keep wheels of justice turning   Report Teachers in flightWhat’s really driving educators out of Wisconsi…

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March 2, 2026 at 6:39 PM

Podcast: The youngest American hostage in Iran

Revisiting our 2021 dialogue with Kevin Hermening Badger Institute Podcast Kevin Hermening’s time as the youngest American hostage in Iran A Marine serving at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979, Oak Creek native Kevin Hermening became the youngest American hostage when militants aligned with Iran’…

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February 27, 2026 at 2:49 PM

Breaking: Evers to sign Badger-backed housing bill

“This is exactly what Wisconsin needs.”  Badger Institute applauds Evers and Republican legislators for housing bill Contact Badger Institute President Mike Nichols, [email protected] or (262) 389-8239, for commentFeb. 27, 2026 MILWAUKEE — The Badger Institute applauded Gov. Tony Evers and R…

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February 27, 2026 at 11:47 AM

Top Picks: Hyperinflation hits Madison gradebooks

Math not union’s strong suit, ethnic studies at every turn, state siting more clean power In this edition: Emotionally fragile undergrads That salty school funding suit... Ethnic studies inescapable Next steps for reliable nuclear   Viewpoint Grades now hyper-inflated at UW-MadisonCanadian univ…

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February 20, 2026 at 11:56 AM

Top Picks: Crucial Badger-supported housing bill passes through Senate

Unlocking more homes, Keep the cameras rolling, Wisconsin Olympians In this edition: How spending gets rewarded Unlocking more homes Wisconsin Olympians Keep the cameras rolling   News Crucial Badger-supported housing bill passes through Senate If signed by Gov. Evers, measure will help incre…

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February 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM

The Badger Institute is bolstering its staff with top talent as it heads into 2026.

  New faces, new roles at Badger Institute Executive Editor Vice President of Policy and Research Operations Associate   The Badger Institute is bolstering its staff with top talent as it heads into 2026 Welcome, Ben Eisen Ben Eisen joins us this week as Vice President of Policy and Research. …

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February 13, 2026 at 11:56 AM

Top Picks: Medicaid now in the housing business

Purple state reforms, Per-kid school spending sets record In this edition: Medicaid now in the housing business Purple state reforms Per-kid school spending sets record   Analysis Medicaid mission-creeps its way into the housing business Lure of federal money leads Wisconsin to embrace bloat, w…

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February 6, 2026 at 11:53 AM

Top Picks: The case against UW's ethnic studies requirement

Advantages of character education, Academic priority reform, School-age population steadily shrinking In this edition: Advantages of character education Academic priority reform  School-age population steadily shrinking   Viewpoint  The case against UW-Madison's ethnic studies requirement  It's…

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February 4, 2026 at 5:02 PM

Badger Institute research on teacher retention

Benefits of character education can be twofold February 2, 2026 Badger Institute releases report on character education amid Wisconsin’s teacher shortageMILWAUKEE — As school superintendents across Wisconsin lament how hard it is to retain good teachers, the Badger Institute asks an intriguing quest…

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January 30, 2026 at 11:47 AM

Top Picks: Reject socialist death tax

Pols want to ruin your wedding and tax your death In this edition: Reject socialist death tax Save rustic weddings Economic steamroller Post-pandemic benefits remain   Analysis An estate tax would harm Wisconsin’s economy A money grab at death drives outmigration By Jared WalczakDeath and taxes…

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January 23, 2026 at 11:59 AM

Top Picks: Evers' property tax posturing

No increase allowed, Rein in the veto, Far fewer districts In this edition: Evers' property tax posturing No increase allowed Rein in the veto Far fewer districts   Viewpoint Governor Evers’ property tax relief plan fails to constrain property tax growth Plan fails to address reason property ta…

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January 16, 2026 at 11:58 AM

Top Picks: What might have been in Port Washington

UW prof’s telling errors, 80-year low for Badger births, welcome Riley Swedberg In this edition: What might have been in Port The telling errors of UW prof Badger State births reach 80-year low + Welcome, Riley!  Analysis Data center naysayers should consider what the future would have brought …

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January 9, 2026 at 11:54 AM

Top Picks: Demise of coal hits Superior hard

MPS’ lead paint saga, Medicaid and ER duration, coalition to reset red tape In this edition: Coal port’s cargo crunch Medicaid & ER duration MPS’ lingering lead paint issue Letter to the Legislature   News Superior coal terminal is latest victim of declining Great Lakes shipments A coal …

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January 2, 2026 at 11:51 AM

Top Picks: Wisconsin’s 10 best of 2025

Local heroes and the American Dream, building out parental choice, state of civil discourse In 2025, the Badger Institute published more than 150 original pieces of journalism, data and policy analysis. Below you’ll find our 10 most-viewed stories of the year.Thank you for the attention you give to …

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December 26, 2025 at 11:55 AM

Merry Christmas!

And a happy New Year  Most weeks, Top Picks hits your inbox with news, analysis and data from every corner of Wisconsin. But this is not one of those weeks.This week, we’re happy to express our thanks for your ongoing support and readership — all while wishing you and your family a merry Christmas.…

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December 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM

Top Picks: Predatory wolves proliferating

Little trust for federal government, CPAs take talent elsewhere, Christmas temperatures through the years In this edition: Pivotal moment for WI wolves Competing for quality CPAs Tough times for trust in government Christmas temps 🌡️   News U.S. House defangs federal protection of gray wolves …

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December 12, 2025 at 11:51 AM

Top Picks: Distrust characterizes young generation

Legislature wants data for FoodShare decision; choice enrollment tops 60,000; no trust among young Americans In this edition: FoodShare: Data before dollars Choice enrollment climbing 📈 Trust eroding for young Americans   Analysis Legislature balks as Evers demands millions for more food aid bur…

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December 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM

Top Picks: Transit vanity — a cautionary tale

Math still matters, effective property tax rate by county, end the emissions charade In this edition: A tale of two transports Property tax rate paradox 📉 Let them do math End the emissions charade   Viewpoint Working folks get short shrift while city funds vanity streetcar Money wasted on H…

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