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.
Spotlight
Budget '25: UW System Analysis
Michael Lucas has our latest departmental analysis of Gov. Evers' budget -- this week looking at the University of Wisconsin System. In the current 2023-25 biennial budget, the UW System receives a total of $13.7 billion from all funding sources (All Funds). Of this $13.7 billion, 58% comes from program revenue (PR), 24% comes from the federal government (FED) and 18% comes from general purpose revenue (GPR).
Gov. Evers has asked for nearly $3 billion more in funding, a whopping 18% increase. What does that money fund? In addition to building and operation expenses, it goes to pay administrative bloat throughout the system. The eye-opening statistic: there are roughly 6 times more administrators in the UW System per student than there are teachers.
Catch up on all our budget coverage by visiting the MacIver Budget Guide.
Deep Dive
The results of the last two state Supreme Court elections have left Wisconsin facing a worrisome reality: now we have to live with all the consequences the progressive justices will likely shower upon us, Richard Moore writes. The elimination of Act 10 and school choice are very possible, as are new liberal gerrymandered congressional district maps. Wisconsin is likely to be front and center in the nationwide -- and even global -- trend of progressive judicial activists overruling the will of the people.
Still, Richard writes, the people here have the ultimate power, if we choose to exercise it. Let’s work to make sure the people do so wisely, by exposing this majority each and every time it steps out of its judicial lane.
You Should Know
When Republican County Officials Quit, Evers Picks Their Replacements
When a sheriff or district attorney resigns in Wisconsin, the governor, not voters, gets to pick a replacement. This is a big deal when the governor belongs to the other party. Bill Osmulski and Rebecca Draeger put these county offices under the spotlight and found that Gov. Evers has been able to flip 12 district attorneys from Republican to Democrat between 2020 and 2024. Since 2023, eight Republican elected sheriffs have retired or resigned -- allowing Gov. Evers to put eight hand-picked sheriffs into conservative counties.
The findings are all the more reason for voters to carefully vet potential candidates to ensure they will serve their terms and not leave their replacements to the whims of a governor from the opposite party. Read their analysis here.
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Coming Soon
Senator Nass: ROFR Doesn’t Have Republican Votes
The future of Right of First Refusal (ROFR) legislation in the state legislature is still up in the air, but one thing seems to be certain: legislative leadership will have to rely on Democrat votes if they want to pass it.
State Sen. Steve Nass, who has called ROFR “the most blatant example of everything wrong with politics in Wisconsin,” claimed that there are not enough Republican votes in either the State Assembly or Senate to pass the bill.
We'll continue to cover this story as it develops. In the meantime, make sure to read and share MacIver's study that found non-competitive utility projects (like those that would be given the green light should ROFR pass) increase costs to ratepayers by 18%.
Quick Clicks
Jill Underly, Again, Asks for More Money for Wisconsin Public Schools
After her re-election last week, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly wasted no time hitting up Wisconsin's taxpayers for more education funding. But Wisconsin is spending more on public education now than ever before.
The current state budget spends $17.5 billion on the Department of Public Instruction. Underly has asked to take that to $22.2 billion. Gov. Evers has said Underly’s budget request is too large. He too wants to spend more on public schools, but he only wants to go to $21.2 billion.
Lawmakers Pitch Ban on Wisconsin Land Sales to Foreign Investors
Sen. Rob Stafsholt and Rep. Clint Moses on Wednesday introduced legislation that would limit foreign entities from owning more than 50 acres of farmland. Numbers from the USDA show that foreign investors own nearly 50 million acres of farmland across the country.
In addition to the 50 acre limit, the Wisconsin Farmland Protection Act would stop foreign investors from owning any land within 10 miles of a military base in the state.
For Your Commute
This week's MacIver News Minute highlights a painful lesson in civics many people learn every year: you have to be engaged in your local politics regularly if you want to shape the future of your community. when you elect someone to public office, you give them the authority to make decisions on your behalf. So, you have to make sure to elect the right ones up front. Then you have to attend their meetings regularly to make sure they stay on track.
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. But let’s be real—you already knew that. Unfortunately, some people don’t, which is why we have to spell it out.
Last Update: Apr 07, 2025 12:56 pm CDT
