It's the People's Money
Paying taxes is how we build a strong foundation where everyone—from Menomonie to Milwaukee—can thrive. But, for decades the wealthy few have rigged our tax code so they pay less than their fair share. Then, they work to pit our families against each other based on our zip code, so they can hoard the wealth our work creates. As a result of these intentional policy choices and unjust structure, Wisconsin’s racial and economic disparities are some of the worst in the country.
Previously known as the Wisconsin Budget Project, we’re working to ensure every family has the opportunity to thrive, especially those most impacted by disinvestment, and not just the powerful few.
Analyzing the State Budget
At Kids Forward, we know that a budget is more than just numbers; it’s a statement of values. It shows who and what Wisconsin cares about. The Wisconsin state budget—negotiated every other year in odd years—is how we invest in the public infrastructure and supports that our families and communities need. Too often, powerful, wealthy individuals and corporations influence our legislators to cut taxes instead of funding public schools, child care, and making health care more affordable. As a result, every day families struggle to make ends meet, services are harder to access, and the richest few continue to reap the benefits.
We dig through the state budget to provide community partners and advocates with the resources and tools they need to ensure the results of people’s hard work make it back to their communities.
Fighting for an Equitable Tax and Revenue System
Families across Wisconsin are struggling to get by, and it shouldn’t be a surprise. Economic inequality has exploded over the past 40 years. In the last four decades, the wealthiest 20% of Wisconsinites have seen dramatic growth in their incomes, while everyone else has seen no increase or watched their income decline.
Kids Forward advocates for a fair and equitable tax system that benefits all. If the most wealthy few paid their fair share, Wisconsin could invest in critical services such as child care, health care, and a fair wage for all workers.
Research & Publications
Immigrant Taxpayers Deserve Dignity and Justice
Undocumented Immigrants Pay $198.9 Million in Taxes in Wisconsin By Liliana Barrera & William Parke-Sutherland Immigrants have been and continue to be vital to our communities. Nearly 300,000 immigrants in Wisconsin—about 76,000 of whom are undocumented—have put...
Community Explainer: Rich Get Richer Under Proposed Tax Plan
February 8, 2024 Main Takeaways Four tax proposals are making their way through the state legislature now, and we anticipate them getting to the Governor’s desk by the end of the month. These proposals would line the wallets of Wisconsin’s wealthy, who are...
Rich Get Richer under Proposed Tax Plan
Introduction From Racine to Rhinelander, everyone in Wisconsin deserves the freedom to make a good living and care for our families. However, the tax plan proposed by Republican legislative leadership would further rig the rules in favor of the wealthiest and make...
Our Take: The Wisconsin 2023-25 Biennial Budget
July 24, 2023 On July 5, Governor Evers signed the Wisconsin 2023-25 Biennial Budget. How does Wisconsin’s final budget stack up? Our Take We appreciate Governor Evers being a stop gap for some of the most egregious proposals from the Republican-controlled Joint...
Proposed Tax Cut Privileges Wealthiest 1%, Leaves Struggling Families Behind
June 29, 2023 Wisconsin can be a place where we all—regardless of race or place—have what we need to make ends meet. However, last week the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee voted for a tax cut that would aid in gutting supports for families. Letting...
Health Access in the Fox Valley
Every child and family in the Fox Valley and across Wisconsin deserves to live happy healthy lives with affordable, quality health care, regardless of race, income, or zip code.However, many residents of the Fox Valley area face barriers to receiving health care,...
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