WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- We have a jam-packed MacIver Monday this week as the state legislature seems to be full-steam ahead on the state budget. Scroll down for a history of responses to tax overreaches (like Gov. Evers 400 year veto) and unprecedented transparency into the state budget.
Spotlight
A History of American Tax Resistance
With multiple little swipes of his red line pen, Governor Tony Evers decided to expand his powers and override the first branch of government – the legislature – by creatively vetoing school funding and thereby enacting a tax increase for current and future property owners in Wisconsin for 400 years into the future.
At the MacIver Institute, we believe that if Wisconsin citizens are given accurate information in a thought-provoking and entertaining format, they will demand less spending, fiscal honesty and sensible regulation from their government. It is an overreach of executive power, violating separation of powers, bypassing the legislature’s authority to set tax policy.
Enjoy this interactive MI report and know that freedom and the American Dream has been sought out and strived for more than any other prize of value.
Deep Dive
Download The Wisconsin State Budget Master Spreadsheet Here
Ever wonder what's all in the Wisconsin State Budget? It's not easy to figure it out. A lot of the legislators we've talked to admit to not knowing where every cent of the $120 billion state budget proposal would go.
But now you can.
MacIver's own Bill Osmulski undertook the painstaking process of combing through the latest GOP budget proposal and compiling an easily search- and sortable spreadsheet. To our knowledge, this sort of thing has never been available before. Download it now and start examining it for yourself.
Look, we know there's a lot of groups, organizations and candidates asking for your hard-earned money. The reality is the MacIver Institute has an unparalleled track record of putting in the work and getting results. Just take a look at the two stories above. But we're asking for your help not because of what we've done... but what we ARE GOING to do.
In the next year, we are committed to:
- Holding Gov. Evers and liberals accountable for their reckless spending
- Educating Wisconsinites on the threat of lawfare from Attorney General Josh Kaul and the liberal Supreme Court
- Leading election reform initiatives
Help us keep the success going by making a donation today!
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You Should Know
Budget Delay Is an Opportunity for Reform
Rather than rush to approve a hastily negotiated agreement, lawmakers should use this moment to take a hard look at how our state spends taxpayer dollars and find ways to better prioritize existing appropriations, State Sen. Rob Hutton writes in a guest op-ed for MacIver.
Sen. Hutton walks readers through different ways to improve the budget to better serve taxpayers and comes to this conclusion: "Our constituents expect those they elect to be good managers of tax dollars, not just spend slightly less than those on the other side of the aisle."
Coming Soon
Demographics is Wisconsin’s Destiny
Wisconsin is part of a national trend of Americans voting with their feet and fleeing high taxes and inefficient (or utterly insane) governments for the greener pastures of red states, Dan O'Donnell reports.
The state Department of Administration estimates that over the next 25 years, Wisconsin will lose about 200,000 residents -- but Dane County will grow substantially during that same time. It's a recipe for electoral disaster if conservatives don't turn the state around.
Quick Clicks
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules for DNR Power in PFAS Case
The liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that the Wisconsin Department on Natural Resources didn’t need to set formal PFAS rules before ordering an Oconomowoc dry cleaner to clean-up contamination from the so-called forever chemicals -- a win for the growing bureaucratic state.
SCOWIS: Act 10 Means UW Health Doesn’t Have to Recognize Nurse’s Union
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is crediting Act 10 in a ruling that UW Health doesn’t have to negotiate with its nurse’s union. A unanimous court on Friday ruled that Act 10’s limits on public sector collective bargaining apply to the university health system.
For Your Commute
Bill Osmulski and Michael Lucas are back with another MacIver Report podcast -- this time highlighting the ongoing state budget process. Bill talks about the budget master spreadsheet he was able to compile -- the first time there has been a coherent, central location to analyze all of the state's spending. Give it a watch below.
About MacIver Institute: The MacIver Institute is a Wisconsin-based think tank that promotes free markets, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government. Through research, analysis, and community engagement, we work to advance these principles and positively impact the lives of all Wisconsinites.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, its employees, or any affiliated organization.
Last Update: Jun 30, 2025 11:32 am CDT
