A number of recent reports show that Wisconsin is in better fiscal shape than it has been in the recent past. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s latest coincident economic index ranks Wisconsin among the best states in the nation for the second consecutive month and the Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue announced that General Purpose […]
Wisconsin Tax Reform Update with DOR Sec. Chandler
Date Thu, Aug. 22, 2013 - 8:01am By Hamilton
Taxes are a hot topic in Wisconsin, particularly since several reforms were included in the state budget. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s Director of Tax & Transportation Policy, Jason Culotta, discussed the details of some of those budget reforms with Rick Chandler, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, in this video from WMC:
Memos Provide a Closer Look at Interesting Budget Provisions
Date Thu, Aug. 22, 2013 - 7:25am By Hamilton
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) has released three memos on the state budget that provide insight on issues of interest to all the fiscal hawks out there: changes to taxes and fees, changes to the use of certain funds, and policy items included in the budget. State Tax and Fee ModificationsThis memo identifies state tax […]
Different Angecy in Charge of Missing Money
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2013 - 4:57pm By Hamilton
The state is currently holding more than $400 million in unclaimed assets. This money comes from forgotten paychecks, insurance premium overpayments, utility deposits, forgotten bank accounts, forgotten stocks, abandoned safe deposit boxes and many other forms of assets that have been lost, forgotten about or that people did not even know they had. As part […]
Fiscal Bureau Releases Final Budget Summary
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2013 - 4:41pm By Hamilton
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released its final summary of the 2013-15 budget. The lengthy document describes each of the provisions of Act 20, including all fiscal and policy modifications recommended by the Governor, Joint Committee on Finance, and Legislature.
State Starting Venture Capital Fund
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2013 - 10:38am By Hamilton
States that have invested public resources into developing a financial mechanism and related network to propel start-up companies forward are reaping the benefits. Specifically, these states are experiencing accelerated growth rates among high-potential startups and those businesses are producing higher payrolls than comparable-sized firms. With the passage of 2013 Wisconsin Act 41, which was accomplished […]
Gov. Walker Issues Vetoes & Signs Budget
Date Wed, Jul. 3, 2013 - 4:38pm By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker signed the $70 billion 2013-15 Wisconsin biennial budget into law on June 30, 2013. Walker vetoed 57 items in the budget, which reduced GPR spending by $856,000 over the biennium. The budget signed by Gov. Walker varies from the budget passed by the legislature thanks to the expansive veto powers granted to […]
Legislature to Vote on $70 Billion Budget
Date Tue, Jun. 18, 2013 - 8:18pm By Hamilton
The Joint Finance Committee’s (JFC) budget bill, ASA 1 to AB 40, will now be taken up for consideration by each house of the legislature. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald have both indicated they would like to pass the JFC version of the budget with as few changes as possible. […]
Unemployment Reserve Fund Improving but Still in the Red
Date Fri, Jun. 14, 2013 - 2:39pm By Hamilton
The Legislative Audit Bureau’s report on the state’s Unemployment Reserve Fund shows that the fund’s equity increased by $313.7 million during the 2011-12 fiscal year, however, the fund is still $612.4 million in the hole. During fiscal year (FY) 2011-12, fund equity increased from a deficit of $926.1 million as of June 30, 2011, to […]
Budget Bill Heads to the Floor
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 9:56am By Hamilton
After a marathon hearing that covered three of the biggest policy issues in the budget – medical assistance, K-12 education, and taxes – the Joint Finance Committee finalized its version of the 2013-15 budget. Highlights Medical Assistance As Gov. Walker recommended, the JFC voted (12-4 along party lines) to reject federal funds for expanding Medicaid […]