DEI defective, last chance to register for June 30 lunch, Mandate up for major award Breaking Why — and how — Gov. Evers should sign off on Wisconsin’s big tax cuts By Mike Nichols First the “why.” The plan passed by Joint Finance late Thursday saves taxpayers $3.5 billion over two years, money that came from them in the first place because they’re currently overtaxed. We are 38th among the 50 states on individual income tax rates (1 being best), according to the Tax Foundation. Our top rate of 7.65% is one of the highest in the entire country between the coasts. In fact, only Minnesota has a higher top rate anywhere in the middle of America. That’s a big part of the reason our GDP is low in comparison to Midwest neighbors, our business growth is slow and our population — especially among working-age folks — is stagnant. The only real question is who to “give” all that money back to through future savings. Continue Reading #BadgerWins In October 2022, we issued our Mandate for Madison — a complete playbook of policy recommendations for a more prosperous Wisconsin. Included in the Mandate were calls to the following: Close the funding gap between choice, charter and public school students Reform Wisconsin’s uncompetitive tax code Ensure safe schools and adequately staffed police ranks But it didn’t stop there. In the months that followed, we continued to research, refine and relay the stories that showed the state’s path to a prosperous future. This week we celebrate a number of great wins for the people of Wisconsin and their prosperity — ongoing steps toward making our state the best in the union for business, family and individual opportunity. Gov. Evers this week signed into law the largest funding increase in the history of the state’s parental choice programs. This is historic. For students in private choice schools in kindergarten through 8th grade, state aid is rising by $1,101, to $9,500. For choice students in high school, it rises $2,955 to $12,000. And for students in independent public charter schools, funding increases $1,736 to $11,000 — still well short of what traditional public schools get but much closer. More schools in the parental choice programs will now be able to stay open and prosper. The Badger Institute, which has been researching and supporting greater opportunity through school choice since 1987 and has been actively lobbying in Madison for months on this issue, is part of two coalitions of groups supporting parental choice. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu were key to the victory and deserve kudos. Resources: Give Every Wisconsin Family the Power to Choose the Best Education A huge step toward sustainable school funding equality Wisconsin has long had one of the country’s most progressive individual income taxes, with a top rate of 7.65% that is eighth highest in the nation. The $3.5 billion tax cut plan passed by Wisconsin’s Joint Committee on Finance late Thursday will produce immediate and ongoing economic benefits for all Wisconsinites — largely driven by reductions for high-income taxpayers and the businesses they operate. Resources: Tax Reform Options to Improve Wisconsin’s Competitiveness Top three reasons to cut Wisconsin’s top tax rate Milwaukee Public Schools, which did away with armed officers in schools in 2016, has seen a steep increase in the number of calls for police service to Milwaukee high schools. As a provision of the local funding legislation signed Tuesday, Milwaukee Public Schools will have to return at least 25 resource officers to its schools by January 1, 2024. Resources: Why Milwaukee Needs to Get Cops Back in Schools Deal puts police back on duty to protect Milwaukee Public Schools The Milwaukee Police Department is facing a damaging loss of institutional knowledge and practical skills, a loss that has worsened policing when Milwaukee needs its force to perform at its peak. The shared revenue legislation signed this week requires Milwaukee to increase the number of budgeted sworn positions in MPD. Resources: The Thinning Blue Line: Milwaukee Police Department’s Attrition Crisis Latest crime figures show a Milwaukee in trouble AND... No Additional Funding for The Hop The deal to address Milwaukee’s budget woes included authorization to impose additional sales tax, but none of the collection may be used to develop, operate or maintain the city’s wasteful streetcar. Resources: Legislature protects Milwaukeeans from $15-per-rider fare-free trolley folly Taxpayers Taken for a Ride: The Milwaukee Streetcar Viewpoint The other problem with UW DEI programs: They don’t work By Mike Nichols If the vast UW System Diversity, Equity and Inclusion effort — which costs approximately $32 million biennially — is so necessary, why is it such a failure? The stated mission of the UW System’s Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion is so general as to be meaningless. The office, according to its website, is supposed to implement a “strategic vision that cultivates inclusive and supportive learning and working environments” and ensure that there are resources to “improve the human condition for all, especially those of diverse racial and ethnic identities, nationalities, social and economic status, sexual orientations, gender identity/expressions, ages, physical and mental abilities, religious beliefs or political ideologies.” UW-Madison is, of course, the flagship campus of the System. Its Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement’s priority is a little more specific and includes increasing “access for underrepresented minorities in STEM” and eliminating “the achievement gap between majority and underrepresented students.” So let’s start there. Read More Outstanding Policy Achievement The Badger Institute Named Finalist for State Policy Network’s Prestigious Bob Williams Award State Policy Network’s Bob Williams Awards for Outstanding Policy Achievement recognize state think tanks doing exceptional work. The Badger Institute is honored to be a finalist for a Bob Williams Award in the category “Most Influential Research” for our Mandate for Madison. The award recognizes the organization whose original research achieved a high level of influence in academia, media or policy-making arenas. Demonstrated above, Wisconsin’s policy-making arena is being shaped by Badger Institute research, particularly the Mandate for Madison. In the words of Institute president Mike Nichols, “We have a small team here. We aren’t very good at bragging. We’ve never spent a lot of time seeking awards – but our team is exceedingly proud of this compendium of work. We know we are making a real difference in the Badger State.” Award winners will be announced at the SPN Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, August 30. Badger Events Final days to register John McCormack, Washington correspondent for National Review and a fellow at National Review Institute, will participate in a Friday, June 30 lunch discussion with Badger Institute president Mike Nichols. McCormack, who grew up in northwestern Wisconsin, has worked for the past 16 years as a journalist reporting on politics and policy in Washington, D.C. He will discuss the significance of this year’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election and its broader implications. Audience Q&A about the Wisconsin election, policy debates in Washington, and McCormack’s experiences as a journalist will be encouraged! Register Now Save the date Mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 3rd as we welcome keynote speaker Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district and Chairman of The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Learn More Weekly Survey: Which of this week’s legislative victories is most significant for Wisconsin? Answer below! Tax reform Funding increases for choice and charter students Return of resource officers to MPS More sworn positions for Milwaukee police   Previous Poll Results: What We’re Reading Commentary: The Dangers of Inclusion Above All Else City Journal: Still Cooking With Gas UnHerd: The new world war on free speech RealClear Policy: Licensing Requirements Make It Harder for Women to Enter the Workforce Invest in the Badger Institute The Badger Institute, formerly known as the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), has long been at the forefront of the fight for school choice, right to work, welfare reform, tax restructuring, limited government, civil society and so much more. If you appreciate the Institute’s legacy and want to support free markets, opportunity and prosperity, please consider donating today. Your support will help the Institute continue to advocate for conservative principles now and in generations to come. The Institute never has, and never will, accept government funding. We gratefully welcome your online donation or email Angela Smith, Executive Vice President. The Badger Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded solely by the generosity of foundations, companies and individuals. Support Freedom   Badger Institute | 700 W Virginia St, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI 53204 www.badgerinstitute.org Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!