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.
Reclaim. Rebuild.
Reimagine.
Join us to unrig the rules that benefit the wealthy few. View our full policy agenda.
Research & Publications
Regulate Payday Lenders FOR REAL
Legislature is back in session – The state legislature will be back in session for three weeks. The session runs from February 16 – March 4. We need action from you right away to pass strong regulation of Payday Lenders!On Tuesday, February 16, the state Assembly will...
Bad Budget News That’s Better Than expected
For the last several months I was fearfully thinking ahead to a day sometime in January when the Legislative Fiscal Bureau would issue its annual report on state revenue projections and the state’s economic and fiscal outlook. My trepidation about the report was...
Wisconsin Receives High Marks for Transparency in Use of Recovery Funds
According to a new report released by Good Jobs First, a non-profit research center, Wisconsin's Recovery Act website ranked 4th best in the country in terms of the quality and quantity of information on how recovery funds were spent. Here is their press release about...
State Capitol Update – Week of Jan. 25
The legislature will be in session on Tuesday and Thursday and there are many committee hearings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Here are some highlights to watch for:Ban on bisphenol A legislation is moving in both houses – On Tuesday, Jan 26, the Assembly...
Report estimates ARRA created or saved 44,000 jobs in Wisconsin
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) created or saved 44,000 jobs in Wisconsin, according to a new report. The Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) released an analysis last week detailing the national and state impact through the end of 2009 of ARRA...
Capitol Notes – Week of January 18
Next week, the legislature is back in session. Both houses will be in session on Tuesday, January 19. They may also be in session on Thursday, January 21. On Tuesday, the State Senate will vote on Senate Bill 43, bipartisan campaign finance reform legislation...
New Study: Very Few Being "Taxed out of Their Homes"
One of the go-to arguments of the anti-tax camp is that high and growing property tax burdens are forcing lots of elderly people out of the homes they have lived in for decades. Well, according to a new study by Prof. Andy Reschovsky of UW's La Follette School of...
State Capitol Report – Week of January 11, 2010
There will be lots of action in the Capitol this week. Right now, there are a dozen public hearings scheduled Tuesday through Thursday. Here is a list of all the committee hearings scheduled. On Wednesday, the Joint Audit Committee will decide if an audit is needed...
Big Week of Hearings on Tap at State Capitol
The State Legislature starts the new year with a busy week of hearings. On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator John Lehman (D-Racine), will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 405, which changes the governance structure of Milwaukee Public Schools by...
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. View our analyses and resources further below.
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. We provide decision makers and community partners with the tools they need to advocate for a fairer tax system.
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