New report puts Act 10 savings at nearly $36B
March 18, 2025

Lake Country Tribune

(The Center Square) – The latest look by a conservative think tank at the savings of Act 10 has a new price tag.

The MacIver Institute released its latest analysis of Act 10, and the now decade-plus impact it’s had on the tax burden in Wisconsin.

“Every year, the MacIver Institute calculates the estimated savings achieved through Act 10’s requirement that public employees pay 12.6% of their health insurance premiums and half of their pension contributions,” MacIver’s report states.

MacIver’s analysts say the latest price tag for savings is $35.6 billion.

“This only captures a portion of Act 10’s impact. The law also provided local government with the flexibility to prioritize fiscal and operational efficiency, rather than union contracts. Those indirect savings are incalculable,” the report said.

Act 10 became law in 2011 when then Gov. Scott Walker signed it. Since then, Act 10 has been the center of praise from Republicans, and criticism from Democrats in Wisconsin.

It has also changed how local governments have dealt with budgets and changed how much taxpayers have had to pay.

“Those savings don’t just exist on paper. They have a real impact in the real world,” MacIver CEO Annette Olson said. “Thanks to Act 10, today Wisconsin is considered to be one of the most financially responsible states in the country with routine budget surpluses, a robust rainy-day fund, and a fully funded state pension system.”

To get to its $35.6 billion savings price tag, MacIver added the $13.8 billion in employee pension contributions since 2012 under Act-10, and the $21.8 billion in total health care savings since 2012 from Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, the DPI and the State Health Insurance Program.

Olson added that “none of this would have been possible without the passage of Act 10 back in 2011.”

Act 10’s future savings, however, are less certain.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is weighing Act-10’s constitutionality after a Dane County judge ruled the law cannot continue as is.

If Act 10 is struck down by the court, MacIver thinks the savings will go away and a wave of local tax increases might follow.

View More Sports Articles

DockHounds Fall To Second Place After Week at Home

DockHounds Fall To Second Place After Week at Home

Last week, the Lake Country DockHounds were walking tall as they held the top spot in the American Association of Baseball's East Division standings. However, this week they have given up that coveted spot, falling into second place. Their current record is nearly...

DockHounds Take the Lead in East Division

DockHounds Take the Lead in East Division

The Lake Country DockHounds seem to be on the path to success. Halfway through June, the team has now officially been playing their 2025 season for just over a month. This past week, they finally jumped ahead of the Cleburne Railroads to nab the top spot in the...

The DockHounds Opening Weekend Recap

The DockHounds Opening Weekend Recap

The DockHounds' season has officially begun, as of Friday, May 9. The team played their first game of 2025 in Rosemont, Illinois at Impact Field against Illinois rivals the Chicago Dogs. The opening game served as a great start to the year, with the DockHounds...

Why Pickleball Has Become so Popular

Why Pickleball Has Become so Popular

Pickleball, a quirky hybrid of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has exploded in popularity over the past decade. From neighborhood courts to professional tournaments, this paddle sport is capturing hearts worldwide. But what’s driving its meteoric rise? Let’s break...