SPN MacIver Institute 2012 National Think Tank of the Year
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Rep. Dale Kooyenga to Introduce Tax Reform Plan Next Week

MacIver News Service - Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) spoke with the MacIver News Service on Thursday about his tax reform plan he hopes to introduce next week in Joint Finance. Kooyenga says his plan will add at least an additional $300 million in income tax relief over Governor Scott Walker's proposed plan. This would include lowering rates and removing certain tax credits. Read More »

Joint Finance Closes $54 Million Transportation Funding Deficit, Delays Southeast Wisconsin Interstate Projects

MacIver News Service - The Joint Committee on Finance voted 16-0 on Thursday to reduce net spending for the Department of Transportation fund by almost $60 million to close a projected deficit and is now expected to end the biennium with a balance of about $5 million. Read More »

Wisconsin Jumps 17 Spots in Economic Outlook Ranking

MacIver News Service - Wisconsin improved 17 spots on the American Legislative Exchange Council's Rich States, Poor States Economic Outlook Ranking from 32nd to 15th, the greatest improvement of any state over last year. Rich States, Poor States has been published since 2008. The study looks at 15 equally-weighted policy variables to predict economic growth in each state. Read More »

Joint Education Committee Hears Testimony Around the Implementation of Common Core State Standards in Wisconsin

A joint hearing in Madison Wednesday took testimony on Common Core State Standards. Supporters believe it is the impetus needed to improve local standards while opponents believe it is federal interference that will hurt education. Read More »

Joint Finance Approves FoodShare Work Requirements, Sale of State Assets

MacIver News Service - The Joint Committee on Finance voted on Tuesday to require able-bodied childless adults to find a job or participate in a work-training program to receive FoodShare benefits. JFC also approved a measure from Walker that would allow the state to sell or lease state owned assets like heating, cooling, and power plants. Read More »


Joint Finance Cuts $3.5 Million for State Attorney Pay Progression

Comments | Posted in News | By Nick Novak | Posted May 24, 2013 2:56 PM
Joint Finance Cuts $3.5 Million for State Attorney Pay Progression

MacIver News Service - The Joint Committee on Finance voted on Tuesday to modify Governor Scott Walker's provision to create a pay progression plan for Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) and State Public Defenders (ASPDs) and reduced spending by $3.5 million. Read More »

From City Journal - Better Schools, Fewer Dollars

Comments | Posted in News | By MI President Brett Healy | Posted May 24, 2013 12:39 PM
From City Journal - Better Schools, Fewer Dollars

How can we improve academic results without breaking the bank? Marcus Winters argues through more school choice. Read More »

Joint Finance Closes $54 Million Transportation Funding Deficit, Delays Southeast Wisconsin Interstate Projects

Comments | Posted in News | By Nick Novak | Posted May 23, 2013 8:44 PM
Joint Finance Closes $54 Million Transportation Funding Deficit, Delays Southeast Wisconsin Interstate Projects

MacIver News Service - The Joint Committee on Finance voted 16-0 on Thursday to reduce net spending for the Department of Transportation fund by almost $60 million to close a projected deficit and is now expected to end the biennium with a balance of about $5 million. Read More »

Alberta Darling and John Nygren Introduce Motion to Close Transportation Deficit

Comments | Posted in News | By Nick Novak | Posted May 23, 2013 2:02 PM
Alberta Darling and John Nygren Introduce Motion to Close Transportation Deficit

MacIver News Service- Joint Committee on Finance Co-Chairs have introduced an omnibus motion that will close the projected $54 million deficit at the Department of Transportation by delaying large southeastern Wisconsin road construction projects including the Ryan and Zoo Interchanges, reducing funding to the State Highway Rehabilitation Program by $12.3 million, and reducing major highway development funding by $7.3 million. Read More »

Wisconsin Jumps 17 Spots in Economic Outlook Ranking

Comments | Posted in News | By Nick Novak | Posted May 23, 2013 8:14 AM
Wisconsin Jumps 17 Spots in Economic Outlook Ranking

MacIver News Service - Wisconsin improved 17 spots on the American Legislative Exchange Council's Rich States, Poor States Economic Outlook Ranking from 32nd to 15th, the greatest improvement of any state over last year. Rich States, Poor States has been published since 2008. The study looks at 15 equally-weighted policy variables to predict economic growth in each state. Read More »

Will the Legislature Slash the UW Budget Even More Than Walker After Discovery of Slush Funds?

Comments | Posted in News | By Nick Novak | Posted May 23, 2013 12:00 AM
Will the Legislature Slash the UW Budget Even More Than Walker After Discovery of Slush Funds?

MacIver News Service - The Joint Committee on Finance will debate funding for the UW System on Thursday for the first time since more than $1 billion in cash reserves was found in the university system's bank accounts. Of the $1 billion in cash reserves, $648 million was considered to be surplus by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Read More »

Joint Education Committee Hears Testimony Around the Implementation of Common Core State Standards in Wisconsin

Comments | Posted in News | By Policy Staff | Posted May 22, 2013 1:46 PM
Joint Education Committee Hears Testimony Around the Implementation of Common Core State Standards in Wisconsin

A joint hearing in Madison Wednesday took testimony on Common Core State Standards. Supporters believe it is the impetus needed to improve local standards while opponents believe it is federal interference that will hurt education. Read More »

Joint Finance Approves FoodShare Work Requirements, Sale of State Assets

Comments | Posted in News | By Nick Novak | Posted May 22, 2013 9:52 AM
Joint Finance Approves FoodShare Work Requirements, Sale of State Assets

MacIver News Service - The Joint Committee on Finance voted on Tuesday to require able-bodied childless adults to find a job or participate in a work-training program to receive FoodShare benefits. JFC also approved a measure from Walker that would allow the state to sell or lease state owned assets like heating, cooling, and power plants. Read More »

New Health Plan for State Employees Could Save Taxpayers Money

Comments | Posted in News | By Nick Novak | Posted May 21, 2013 5:03 PM
New Health Plan for State Employees Could Save Taxpayers Money

MacIver News Service - Governor Scott Walker hopes to lower high healthcare costs the state faces each year by offering state employees the option of selecting a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA) in addition to plans already offered by the state. JFC adopted the Governor's proposal and added a few parameters to the program. Read More »

Joint Finance Committee to Discuss New Testing Standards, Protocol in Wisconsin Schools

Comments | Posted in News | By Policy Staff | Posted May 21, 2013 9:00 AM
Joint Finance Committee to Discuss New Testing Standards, Protocol in Wisconsin Schools

MacIver News Service - On Tuesday, the Joint Committee on Finance will take up legislation that could change the way students are measured in Wisconsin. JFC will discuss the Department of Public Instruction's administration and funding heading into the 2013-2015 biennium. This will include several important issues like new standardized tests, new requirements for teachers and professional development, and state funding for Teach for America educators. Read More »

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