The perils of making law without lawmakers
Patrick McIlheranObservers of initiative process in California, Michigan point out problems with process embraced by Evers Would laws based on public petition campaigns and referendums do a better job of giving…
Port Washington data center plans put spotlight on Wisconsin power supply
Mark LisheronHuge proposal is just one of several in the works for southeastern Wisconsin Port Washington’s announcement of another billion-dollar data center project in southeastern Wisconsin is focusing attention on the…
EPA is about to tell industry to flee Milwaukee
Ozone designation will bring harsh anti-growth regulations to those living downwind of Chicago Go outside, Wisconsin, and take a deep breath. Mark it in memory, and if you’re in metro…
Wisconsinites’ changing demographics challenge government’s racial silos
Mark Lisheron 38 Ken WysockyNumber of those identifying as two or more races more than doubles; ‘At the grassroots level, people care less and less about race’ Wisconsinites are increasingly interracial, challenging a deeply…
What Wisconsinites really want in 2025
Mike NicholsBadger Institute’s vision for the upcoming year Our governor has been on a listening tour, asking what the people of this state want as we head into 2025. Not much,…
Act 10 was a godsend for property taxpayers
The labor reform, threatened by court ruling, let teachers talk to bosses — but no longer dictate Look at the trajectory over the years of Wisconsin school levies — that…
State Preservation Board does historic pivot on 100 East
Puts developer one step closer to massive tax break A reversal by the State Historic Preservation Review Board on the significance of the 35-year-old “postmodern” 100 East building in downtown…
Metrics show free-market reforms lead to broad prosperity in Wisconsin
Scott Niederjohn Ph.D.Our earlier report showed that Wisconsin’s economy has been delivering a strong overall performance. However, it left unanswered whether the gains are broadly distributed and whether Wisconsin’s economy is coming…
Act 10 labor reforms had far-reaching benefits for Wisconsin taxpayers, students
Badger InstituteA Dane County judge on Monday struck down dozens of sections of the 2011 labor reforms dubbed Act 10, 13 years after the law was passed by a Republican legislative…
Political rhetoric on trade poses risks to Wisconsin
Our large manufacturing sector thrives on international commerce and would suffer from a trade war What do economists know that politicians don’t? A recent University of Chicago Booth School poll…