From the desk of Mike Nichols

This post originally appeared at https://www.badgerinstitute.org/from-the-desk-of-mike-nichols-2023-2024-legislative-victories/

An update on our 2023-2024 legislative victories in Madison

The Badger Institute’s policy work, journalism and advocacy helped spur pivotal changes this past legislative session to give Wisconsinites more freedom and greater opportunity.

We spent most of 2023 advancing our Mandate for Madison — a 300-page book of free-market policy recommendations that have now, in many instances, become law.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and partners, we produced reams of research, championed many policy reforms, helped kill some bad policies, and were part of numerous legislative victories in Madison:

School choice funding gap closure: The financial gap between Parental Choice, public charter and traditional public-school funding was substantially reduced in the shared revenue deal. As the only member of two different school choice coalitions, we were a pivotal part of this historic, successful effort to let more money follow children to quality schools.
Full repeal of the personal property tax, a move the Institute long has advocated.
Dental therapy: We explained the advantages of this approach for years and finally have prevailed. This is a free-market solution that could help hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites obtain dental care at no added expense to taxpayers.
Police back in Milwaukee public schools: We led on this issue. Milwaukee is now required to allow police to protect good children in crime-afflicted schools, a reform that was part of the shared revenue package.
Increased Milwaukee police positions: Also won as part of the shared revenue package.
Derailing The Hop: Milwaukee sales tax legislation bars any of the revenue going to streetcar expansion or operation. Again, we were the leaders on this issue.
Swifter justice for crime victims and a reduction of enormous case backlogs, caused by the high turnover of prosecutors and public defenders. Now, adequate pay will enable hiring and cut turnover.
“Decoupling” of property taxes from funding of parental choice and independent charter schools. The legislation — which destroys an anti-choice argument and leads to lower property taxes — passed the Assembly, and we will continue to push for passage in the Senate.
Constitutional amendment that would strip the governor of his partial veto authority. We started pushing this after the governor used his veto to extend school funding out 400 — yes, 400 — years. The Senate and Assembly both gave first approval to the measure; in all likelihood, this issue will move to a ballot.
Constitutional amendment to allow legislators to oversee federal grant dollars. We pushed for this while exposing how federal pandemic dollars were wasted on frills wholly unrelated to health or safety. It will go to voters this coming August.
Direct Primary Care. The Assembly passed a bill that in essence makes sure Wisconsinites can use Direct Primary Care without triggering insurance complications. We will continue to push for action in the Senate.

We, meanwhile, consistently fought or highlighted multiple bad bills or spending proposals, including:

Pointing out all the problems with MPS – chronic absenteeism, dropping enrollment, underutilized buildings.
Cottage food industry bill. We pointed out the problems with a bill that would increase regulation of home bakers. It died.
A ridiculous bill sponsored by Democrats that would pay the salaries of newspaper reporters and give grants to papers.
Money for newborns: We pointed out the many problems with a plan to give all newborns $25.

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