Fiscal Facts

Often, when Wisconsin lawmakers and the governor talk about “the budget,” they are really referring to the general fund budget.

Wisconsin’s state budget encompasses two fiscal years, or a biennium, such as from 2017-19 (the current budget) or 2019-21 (the next one).

Since 1977, three of the four latest dates for enactment of Wisconsin’s state budget came during periods of divided government.

The first major test of divided government in Wisconsin will come when Democratic Gov. Tony Evers presents his budget to the GOP-controlled Legislature in March.

Download this column as a Word document See other WNA Member Content offerings Control of Wisconsin’s state government shifted hands several times in the 1990s

After a decade of one-party control of the governor’s office and both houses of the Legislature, Wisconsin residents are about to get an education in divided government.

How do Wisconsin’s overall taxes on manufac­turers compare to other states? A brief scan of relevant studies finds differing conclusions.

The state authorized an estimated $928.1 million in tax advantages and incentives for manufacturing in 2016, up from an inflation-adjusted $724.5 million in 2008.

Although manufacturing remains prominent in Wisconsin’s economy, its dominance has generally been declining over the years.

In 2017, the manufacturing sector in Wisconsin produced $59.1 billion in economic output and employed 16.4 percent of the state workforce.