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.
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.
Research & Publications
Wisconsin’s Legislators Fail to Invest in Higher Education
Wisconsin’s Legislators Fail to Invest in Higher Education During a time of unprecedented revenue growth, the Legislature approved a higher education budget that does not include any significant new resources, and does not take steps to undo the steep budget cuts of...
Policy Changes Affecting Working Families in 2012
The biennial budget bill made numerous changes that affect Wisconsin’s low- and moderate-income working families in negative ways. Some of those changes took effect on January 1, 2012, and others that apply to tax year 2011 will first be felt by Wisconsinites as they...
2012 Brings Numerous Changes Adversely Affecting Working Families
As the calendar turned to 2012, many of Wisconsin’s working families began to feel the effects of state budget cuts and policy changes made in the biennial budget bill signed into law last July. According to a new synopsis of delayed budget changes by WCCF, working...
Help Families Get the Credit They Deserve (in English, Spanish or Hmong)
Each year WCCF updates a one-page brochure that helps educate people about the major refundable tax credits for low-income families -- the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), the state Homestead Tax Credit, and the federal child tax credit. Please...
State Announces Medicaid Shortfall is $322 Million Less than Anticipated
Great News For BadgerCare, Funds Should Enable the State To Avoid Most of the Proposed Cuts In a letter to the Joint Finance Committee, the Department of Health Services (DHS) revised estimates of a $554 million shortfall in this biennium’s Medicaid budget, down to...
Wisconsin Budget Project’s Top Ten Blog Posts of 2011
There have been scads of interesting and important stories over the past year relating to the Wisconsin budget and the effects of budget changes on the state’s families. The Wisconsin Budget Project has blogged about many of those stories, and in today’s blog post...
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