The Ironic Rise and Fall of the Wisconsin Budget “Surplus”
The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) announced last week that the state finished the 2013-14 fiscal year with a budget balance of almost $517 million, and many state lawmakers were quick to congratulate themselves for having a budget “surplus.” I don’t fault them for that; I think I would have done
Cost of Turning Down Federal Medicaid Funding Continues to Climb in Wisconsin
Participation of Childless Adults in BadgerCare Far Exceeds Forecasts, While Parent and Child Enrollment Continues to Fall The cost to Wisconsin taxpayers of turning down federal funding for expansion of BadgerCare will be substantially higher the next time the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) makes that calculation. The potential savings from
Delay in Revenue Transfer Makes Wisconsin Budget Balance Appear Larger
A close look at Wisconsin’s annual fiscal report released last week reveals that state officials delayed a $27.5 million transfer, which made the budget balance larger than it otherwise would have been at the end of fiscal year 2013-14. However, that’s a cosmetic and deceptive improvement in the budget balance,
When “Tax Reform” Means a Tax Cut for the Richest, and a Tax Increase for Others
When you hear a policymaker advocating for “tax reform,” it’s worth checking the fine print. There’s nothing wrong with the goal of improving a state’s tax structure. But two recent “tax reform” proposals in Wisconsin would shift the responsibility for paying taxes away from those who are well-able to pay and
Proposed Changes to Electric Bills in Wisconsin Would Raise Costs for Families With Low Incomes
Three Wisconsin electric utilities have proposed billing changes that would raise energy costs for people with low incomes. We Energies, Madison Gas & Electric, and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) have asked the state’s Public Service Commission for permission to change how the utilities bill for electric service. This request
Cutting Taxes on Rich, Raising Them for Others Won’t Boost Wisconsin Economy
The best way to create jobs and build a broad-based prosperity in Wisconsin is to invest in excellent schools, safe communities, and a solid transportation network. But a new report released today takes a different approach, claiming that giving big tax cuts to the rich and raising taxes for others
Which Candidate for WI Governor Has a Plan that Relies More Heavily on ObamaCare?
From www.wisconsinbudgetproject.org. A Scott Walker campaign ad that criticizes Mary Burke for her stance relating to the Affordable Care Act (aka the ACA or “Obamacare”) is based on a false premise. It incorrectly equates supporting the expansion of BadgerCare with supporting an expansion of “Obamacare.” Although I don’t think one
Without Intending to do so, Wisconsin Budget Request Strengthens Arguments for Taking Federal Medicaid Money
From www.wisconsinbudgetproject.org. Without intending to do so, the Department of Health Services (DHS) budget request has substantially strengthened the arguments for expanding BadgerCare and taking federal funding available for that purpose, which would erase much of the state’s currently projected Medicaid funding shortfall. There are many compelling reasons to accept the
Agency Requests Underscore Wisconsin’s Budget Challenges
Most state agencies have submitted their budget requests for Wisconsin’s upcoming 2015-17 budget. These requests are worth taking a look at because they can give some insight into Governor Walker’s priorities for the next budget. The requests can be found here, on the Department of Administration’s website. Back in July,
Standard and Poor’s Says Inequality Suppresses Economic Growth and State Revenue
Concerns about increases in income inequality were voiced from a surprising perspective today, when Standard and Poor’s (the bond rating agency) issued a lengthy report titled “Income Inequality Weighs On State Tax Revenues.” The report concludes that “disparity is contributing to weaker tax revenue growth by weakening the rate of