Wisconsin’s state and local tax burden fell slightly in 2023 to a new all-time low, driven by property tax limits, strong income growth, and modest income tax cuts. Over the last quarter-century, Wisconsin has gone from one of the nation’s highest tax burdens to well below average, and has also seen its spending levels and rankings drop in areas such as K-12 education. But this major shift in policy is becoming more difficult to continue.
Gov. Tony Evers and lawmakers negotiated a wide-ranging budget deal on key issues including income tax cuts and funding for K-12, child care, transportation, corrections, the Universities of Wisconsin, and payments to hospitals. Though the budget addresses many top issues, it also leaves unanswered questions such as funding for juvenile corrections, the timeline for closing an aging adult prison, and potential K-12 property tax increases. Continue reading...
The state’s tax burden remained at an all-time low in 2025, as incomes in Wisconsin grew at the same rate as state and local tax collections. Local taxes in particular faced upward pressure from K-12 referenda and new sales taxes in Milwaukee. In 2026, income tax cuts could further lower the burden, but elected officials are likely to face greater conflict between lowering the tax burden even further and preserving high-quality services. Continue reading...
Upcoming Events
Our First-Ever Green Bay Policy in a Pub Event!
March 10, 2026 | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Titletown Brewing | Green Bay
Registration is now open for the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s first-ever Green Bay Policy in a Pub event! It will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 at Titletown Brewing.
We will include time for attendee networking, followed by a brief presentation by the Forum on recent trends in northeast Wisconsin, particularly in workforce development, education, and taxes.
Forum Friday: Aging and Substance Use in Wisconsin’s Criminal Justice System
March 20, 2026 | 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Zoom Webinar
Join us on Friday, March 20, for the latest installment of our virtual event series, Forum Friday! This discussion looks to our state’s criminal justice system, including the aging of our state’s defendant and prison populations. We’ll also discuss substance use disorder in these populations, and the increase in the number of Wisconsinites incarcerated for drunk driving.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum is a statewide nonpartisan, independent policy research organization. We conduct impartial public policy research and analysis to drive informed debate and effective decision-making in the state of Wisconsin.
