Gov. Evers gave his fourth biennial budget address on February 18, unveiling his 2025-27 executive budget. He proposes an operating budget of $ $118.9 billion over the next two fiscal years, adding a net 880.94 FTE positions. For comparison, the final 2023-25 state budget spent $97.4 billion with a net reduction of 175.51 FTE (GPR) […]
Wisconsin Policy Forum: Wisconsin’s State & Local Tax Burden Drop to Another Record Low in 2024
Date Fri, Jan. 24, 2025 - 10:20am By Hamilton
According to a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, state and local taxes as a share of income fell again in 2024 hitting a low of 9.62% of personal income. That’s down from 9.92% in 2023, which was also a record low after state and local taxes accounted for 9.9% of personal income in 2022. Overall, […]
EdVest May Now Be Used for Apprenticeship Costs
Date Mon, Oct. 21, 2024 - 4:08pm By Hamilton
Bipartisan legislation, authored by Reps. Binsfeld (R-Sheboygan) and Joers (D-Middleton) and Sens. Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) and Hesselbein (D-Middleton), updated Wisconsin law to newly allow for Wisconsin’s 529 college saving program, EdVest, to be used for additional expenses, including apprenticeships. 2023 Wisconsin Act 148 also increases the state income tax deduction for contributions to $5,000, indexed for […]
Legislative Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Continues Work
Date Wed, Sep. 18, 2024 - 10:30am By Hamilton
The Legislative Council Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence continues to meet and learn more about the use of AI in a variety of industries. Chaired by Sen. Julian Bradley, the committee includes legislators and members of the public. The Committee has met three times since it began its work in July. Typically, […]
Governor Signs 24 New Laws, Vetoes GOP Tax Cut Bills
Date Fri, Mar. 15, 2024 - 12:40pm By Hamilton
Since our last update in late February, Gov. Tony Evers (D) has signed 24 bills into law and vetoed three others. The Assembly’s last scheduled floor session was February 22, while the Senate held what we anticipate will be its final day of floor votes on March 12. The Legislature is not expected to reconvene […]
Senate Floor Session: March 12, 2024
Date Fri, Mar. 15, 2024 - 12:38pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate met March 12, 2024. See the floor calendar here. We anticipate that this was the Senate’s final day of floor votes for the 2023-24 legislative session. The Assembly voted to adjourn the session at the conclusion of its last scheduled floor day on February 22. The Legislature is not expected to reconvene […]
Assembly Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Education, Natural Resources, Economic Development)
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 7:58am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly met February 20, 2024. See the floor calendar here. This floor session carried over to the following day due to the number of bills on the calendar. Also this month, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met February 13, the Senate also met February 20, and the Assembly met February 15 and […]
Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: February 13, 2024 (Redistricting, Taxes, Economic and Workforce Development)
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 7:45am By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met February 13, 2024. Also this month, both houses of the Legislature met February 20 (Senate, Assembly) and the Assembly met February 15 and 22. Most notably, both houses voted to amend and pass SB 488, related to legislative redistricting. The updated bill consisted of new Senate and Assembly […]
Key Issues as 2023-24 Session Nears Conclusion: Budget Surplus, Redistricting, Abortion
Date Wed, Jan. 31, 2024 - 12:39pm By Hamilton
As we approach the end of the 2023-24 legislative session in Wisconsin, several key political and policy issues are dominating conversations among the Republican-led Wisconsin Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers (D). Budget Surplus, Taxes, Child Care, and Workforce Gov. Evers and Republican legislative leaders are still at odds over what to do with the remainder […]
Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: January 16, 2024
Date Wed, Jan. 31, 2024 - 11:40am By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met January 16 to vote on bills, resolutions, and executive appointments. Also this month, the Assembly met January 18 and 25. This was the first floor day of the new year, and January will be one of the last regular floor periods of the 2023-24 legislative session. The Assembly […]