Wisconsin

Who Do Vouchers Help?

04/15/2011
by Mark Cavers Today the New York Times published an article asserting that the main beneficiaries of vouchers are “church-affiliated schools.” In truth, vouchers are above all else about helping the neglected students of our worst performing schools. But by ignoring the kids and framing their opposition on this ground, opponents in the White House,...

Another State Rejects High-Speed Spending

By Chris Andriesen
04/14/2011
by Mark Cavers Bloomberg Business Week reports that legislators in Missouri are moving to reject some federal money to fund work that would speed up rail travel between St. Louis and Kansas City. The mounting concerns over future costs to Missourians echo similar concerns in a host of other states that have rejected federal money. Over...

“The Market Seems Unimpressed with Quinn’s Plans”

04/05/2011
  by Mark Cavers Last week Bloomberg News reported that bond markets are reacting poorly to Governor Quinn’s tax and spend approach. Rather than putting the state back on firm ground, we are in a more precarious position then we were four months ago. From the Bloomberg article: “The market seems unimpressed with Quinn’s plans. The extra yield investors...

Rockford Business Moves to Wisconsin

03/28/2011
by Mark Cavers Chuck Sweeney of the Rockford Register Star reports that FatWallet.com, a Rockford company employing 50 workers, has signed a lease to move its headquarters three miles north to Beloit, Wisconsin. The company was prompted to move when the General Assembly passed the Amazon Tax in early January. This isn’t a surprising move, other online retailers...

The Public vs. Private Pay Disparity

02/28/2011
Last night the Institute's John O'Hara was on Beyond the Beltway where he discussed the disparity between pay for public and private workers.

Money in Politics and the New Class Warfare

02/28/2011
While most other states in the union are tackling public employee pensions, cutting taxes and razing roadblocks to prosperity, Illinois remains the last bastion of fiscal foolishness.

A Tale of Two Speeches

02/28/2011
Madison and Springfield less than 300 miles apart, yet they couldn't be more different in their approaches to governing.