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
Special Circumstances May Necessitate Special Session
The Governor has been getting worried that the budget bill won’t be passed and signed before July 1. A late budget isn’t out of the ordinary; in fact, the biennial bill is almost never signed into law before the July 1 start of the biennium. But Governor Doyle notes...
Eliminating the State Tax Break on Capital Gains
A key element of the Senate’s plan to balance the state budget is the elimination of the income tax break for capital gains income. A short issue brief on the topic by the Wisconsin Budget Project notes that Wisconsin is one of just 9 states that treat capital gains...
Senate Completes Its Budget Changes
The State Senate passed its version of the budget last night on a 17-16 vote, with one Democrat, Jim Sullivan of Wauwatosa, joining the Republicans to vote against it. In general, WCCF likes what the Senate did. A couple examples of changes we support are indexing the...
State Budget Update
As the sun was coming up on Saturday, June 13, the State Assembly was finishing their work on the state budget. After a full week of meetings and caucuses, the Assembly finally went to the floor late Friday night to debate the state budget bill. Now the State Senate...
Assembly Amendment Improves Homestead Tax Credit Program
Among the amendments to the budget package being taken up by the Assembly today is one that makes a long overdue change to the Homestead Tax Credit program.The Homestead Credit is a critical program in making property taxes less burdensome for low-income households in...
WCCF Analysis of Joint Finance Committee Budget
Earlier this week, WCCF released its analysis of the impact of the Joint Finance Committee’s budget on children and families. The WCCF analysis is updated with each step of the budget process.Although the Joint Finance budget does include more than $300 million in...
Youth Aids Restored and other Juvenile Corrections Budget Items
Under the corrections omnibus motion (motion #670), Youth Aids was restored to its current law amount of $100,790,200. The Governor had recommended a 1% and then 5% cut to the Youth Aids allocation, for a total cut of$5.9 million. The Motion creates a FED...
Joint Finance Budget Includes W-2 Improvements
The Joint Finance Committee's version of the 2009-2011 state budget, approved early Friday morning, includes a number of improvements to the state’s W-2 program. The omnibus motion which contains those parts of the budget – and others – can be accessed at...
Joint Finance Committee Funds Wisconsin Shares Despite Large Deficit
The Joint Finance Committee finished their work on the state budget pretty early this morning after an all night session. The Committee adopted a motion that funded the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program, authored by Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) and...
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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