Wisconsin Policy Forum

"These data bear out the message that fire chiefs & medical directors have been sharing for years – namely, that the volunteer service model that largely defined emergency responses for over a century is failing."

Our new research examines the consequences of this statewide trend, drawing upon our extensive body of research to offer shared challenges and solutions.

Volunteer fire departments in Wisconsin have lost over 930 positions since 2020, a 5.5% decline. Declining volunteerism is straining the response capabilities of many agencies, with many struggling (or unable) to maintain the staffing needed to respond to calls 24 hours a day.

Meanwhile, call volumes have risen due to aging populations. Many agencies have responded by hiring more paid staff. A total of 488 full- and part-time paid fire department positions were added across the state since 2020 -- a 10.4% increase.

Since 2012, the Forum examined 84 fire and EMS providers in Wisconsin as part of 18 studies. Most of these looked at whether collaboration or consolidation across departments would help them address their challenges.

Common challenges shared by emergency responders include: difficulty with staff recruitment or retention, financing capital costs, or shifting to paid staffing models; rural response times that range from less than 10 to more than 30 minutes; or increased costs due to rising call volumes or inflation.

Despite these hurdles, through the Forum’s research, we have witnessed numerous successful changes occur. They illustrate what is possible when communities confront their challenges, set service priorities, and pursue new ways of doing business.

Join us Friday, June 26, for the latest installment of our virtual event series, Forum Friday! This discussion will focus on our state’s child care system and possible solutions to its strained economic model for providers and families.

We'll unpack our recent research, which looks at ways that state and local governments could infuse more revenue into our child care system. Our panelists will speak to these and other possible solutions.

Our panelists will include State Representative Dave Armstrong, R-Rice Lake; Sadie Howell, President/CEO, Envision Greater Fond du Lac; Lisa Jensen, Roots & Branches Director, Frederic School District; and Jeff Pertl, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

As always, we’ll conclude with a Q&A session for registered participants. Registration is free (see link in comments) but required for this event. Join us!

"(Madison Schools - MMSD's) proposed 2026-27 budget would increase property taxes in the city by more than 8%. If the budget goes into effect, it will be the third largest increase since 1995, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

"It just speaks to the cost pressures that are facing these school districts in Wisconsin and nationwide," said (the Forum's) Tyler Byrnes."

News 3 Now / Channel 3000's Maggie Degnan covers our latest research (see link in comments). Thanks in large part to another infusion of referendum funding, the 2027 budget proposal for Madison Schools - MMSD presents a relatively stable year ahead, though this stability comes at a cost to taxpayers.

MMSD is arguably in a better long-term position than any of the state’s other largest districts, the report finds. Yet sustaining these collective advantages is likely to become more difficult over time.

"Wisconsin public schools are employing more staff despite serving about 80,000 fewer students than they did 16 years ago, according to a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. ...

"Combined with other financial constraints, including growing student needs and revenue limits that haven't kept up with inflation, "districts will likely face tough financial decisions around closing schools, reducing their workforce, or cutting educational programming," the Policy Forum said."

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covers our latest research on a trend in school districts across Wisconsin (see link in comments).

At the school district level, our research found that observable mismatches between the number of students, staff, and schools can be a powerful local conversation starter. These discussions may focus on what communities value in K-12 education, how they will secure the educational services that they want to provide, and what tradeoffs those choices will require.

Meanwhile, state leaders have the opportunity to consider how to protect student learning during our state's ongoing demographic shift -- and do so in a way that does not disadvantage some students based on their address or their needs.

Wisconsin has seen an ongoing decline in the number of students enrolled in its public schools. New Forum research find the numbers of schools and K-12 staffing levels have not followed the same path.

Student enrollment in Wisconsin public & charter schools fell 9.2% since 2010, to 791,794 students in 2026 -- a decline of almost 80,000 students. The primary cause was that there are fewer children statewide, as birth rates have steadily dropped.

Although Wisconsin’s schools and students have decreased since 2011, the number of its licensed educators moved in the opposite direction. Total full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in the public school workforce steadily grew from 2011 to 2026 for a 7.0% increase overall.

Check out the link the comments to learn more about what type of staffing is driving the increase, potential explanations for the difference between these trends -- and what the future may hold for school districts amid our state's ongoing demographic shift.

Our 2023 report, "This Land is Our Land," included a menu of potential conservation funding options for policymakers to consider -- based on past proposals and a review of other states.

One of the options mirrored the initiative announced today by
Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Our report (see link in comments) noted that "some states such as Michigan allow the purchase of state parks vehicle entry passes when motorists renew their license plates. This results in nearly 30% of motorists there purchasing registration stickers, as compared to Wisconsin’s rate of less than 15%.

"Given the possibility of increased revenue... policymakers may wish to further explore this option and its potential revenues and costs."

Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces New Evers Administration Initiative to Make it Easier Than Ever for Wisconsinites to Enjoy Wisconsin State Parks Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces New Evers Administration Initiative to Make it Easier Than Ever for Wisconsinites to Enjoy Wisconsin State Parks State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 06/11/2026 11:30 AM CDT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [email protected] Gov. Evers Announces New Evers Administr...

"The Madison Metropolitan School District is proposing a stable 2027 budget, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, but keeping it that way moving forward will be tough...

"The balance is partially achieved by increasing the burden on taxpayers. Under the proposal, the district's property tax would increase by 8.3%. The district already raised its tax by 20.4% last year as part of a 2024 operating referendum."

News 3 Now / Channel 3000 covers our newly released annual brief on the Madison Schools - MMSD budget proposal (see link in comments). Superintendent Joe Gothard’s budget proposal finds the district in a relatively strong position. MMSD can point to its steady enrollment, large and growing property tax base, supportive community, and solid fund balances and credit ratings.

However, it may be difficult for the district to sustain current staffing levels without additional operating referenda in 2028 and beyond. This reality could force hard decisions about whether maintaining current staffing levels is sustainable.

"The Madison School District’s budget next school year is stable, though the district is increasingly relying on property taxes...

"Property taxes will account for 72% of the district’s total operating budget for 2026-27, the most in 10 years, according to a report the nonprofit released Thursday...

"The school-based property tax levy will increase by 8.3%."

The Wisconsin State Journal cites our new research brief (see links in comments) on the proposed budget for Madison Schools - MMSD.

We find the district is arguably in a better long-term position than any of the state’s other largest districts, thanks to its steady enrollment, large and growing property tax base, supportive community, and solid fund balances and credit ratings.

Yet sustaining these collective advantages is likely to become more difficult over time.

"The Madison school district is poised to enter a period of financial stability after years of budget strain, thanks to two 2024 referendums approved by voters, according to a new report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. But sustaining that stability means higher taxes for property owners."

The Capital Times cites our latest research on the Madison Schools - MMSD budget proposal (see links in comments). We found that after years of major budget shifts, the district’s budget is marked by stability, with brisk spending growth but few major changes.

Superintendent Joe Gothard’s budget proposal finds the district in a relatively strong position. MMSD can point to its steady enrollment, large and growing property tax base, supportive community, and solid fund balances and credit ratings.

This stability comes at a cost to taxpayers. The budget proposal would raise the district’s property tax by $39.9 million, or 8.3%. This would come on the heels of a 20.4% increase in 2026 – the latter being the largest increase in more than 3 decades.

And fiscal challenges remain on the horizon. These include the possibility that as soon as 2028, if it wishes to raise wages and maintain current staffing levels, the district may once again need to ask its voters for additional authority to increase property taxes.

"Small businesses in Wisconsin have expanded rapidly after the pandemic but lag the nation in longer-term job growth, a recent report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum found."

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covers our latest report, "Small Businesses, Big Stakes," which examines Wisconsin's small business landscape (see links in comments).

It was commissioned by the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Business & Entrepreneurship, with financial support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.