MacIver News Service | March 29, 2019
Happy Friday! This week, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released its analysis of Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed budget and, to break it down, the MacIver Institute released a new budget scorecard. Also, the U.S. economy posted lower than expected growth numbers in 2018, and consumer confidence ticked down. Here are four articles every fiscal conservative should read, in case you missed it.
Our Wisconsin: Budget Scorecard
This week, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released its analysis of Evers’ first budget proposal. The numbers are even more shocking than previously thought. The Bureau found that total spending is $710 million higher than the document the Evers administration released last month. With this scorecard, the MacIver Institute has updated the Our Wisconsin series by comparing the updated proposed budget to the 2017-2019 budget, and the 2011-13 budget. The public now can directly compare Gov. Scott Walker’s first and last biennial budgets with Evers’ first budget proposal.
Consumer Confidence Falls in March
The consumer confidence index fell in March, according to numbers released from the Conference Board. The index decreased from 131.4 to 124.1, marking the second lowest rate in a year. The index is based off of consumer opinion of current and future economic conditions. Experts say the decrease is likely due to a volatile stock market and a weaker jobs report in February.
U.S. Economy Grows at 2.9 Percent in 2018
The Commerce Department reported 2.2 percent GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to data released Thursday. Estimates for the fourth quarter were 2.6 percent. Overall, the U.S. economy grew 2.9 percent in 2018. Imports grew 2 percent, which is lower than originally predicted because of continued trade tension. Exports increased 1.8 percent. The U.S. economy fell short of President Trump’s stated 3 percent goal, but still had its best year since 2015.
Out-Of-State Spending Groups in Wisconsin to Stay
This week, the MacIver Institute released a report detailing different liberal special interest groups who have set up camp in Wisconsin. Groups such as the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Wisconsin Acts Together, and NextGen have each spent large amounts of money in the most recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which is to take place on April 2. Individuals for these groups, such as for Attorney General Eric Holder, have spent the past few election cycles in Wisconsin campaigning for liberal candidates.