Strengthening Our Economy
- Unemployment is down to 4.6 percent, lower than the national rate of 5.3 percent.
- Wisconsin’s tax burden has been reduced by $2 billion and employer confidence is higher than it has been in years.
- By ensuring able-bodied adults on certain public assistance programs are drug-free and have enrolled in employment training, Wisconsinites are getting back to work.
- Wisconsin’s economy is growing and jobs are being created. 2014 marked the state’s best year for private sector job growth in a decade.
- Workforce Readiness Initiatives have been expanded to encourage economic growth and reduce the number of Wisconsinites dependent on government.
Reducing Taxes and Burdensome Regulations
- Property taxes on the average home have been lowered for six years in a row.
- Property taxes in Wisconsin will be lower in 2016 than they were in 2010 – and not many other states can make that claim.
- Construction costs for local governments have been lowered due to the repeal of Wisconsin’s antiquated prevailing wage law. That means schools and local governments will save millions.
Empowering Wisconsinites
- By making significant investments in worker training programs, this budget supports veterans who return from serving their country.
- By adding $600 million to Medicaid, needy families, children, and seniors are protected.
- State aid for public schools has been increased, and by lifting the cap on school choice enrollment, parents have more options to ensure their child gets a quality education.
- UW tuition has been frozen for another two years – marking the first time in UW history that tuition remained frozen for four years.
