(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Assembly went into recess and were still delayed on a vote on a budget surplus spending bill at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The bill was thought to have enough Republican votes to pass the Assembly but not in the Senate, where two Senators had openly stated they were against the proposal, an agreement between Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu.
The bill includes an income tax refund, an end to income tax on overtime and tips and includes $300 million in special education funding along with $300 million in general school aid that would replace property tax funding for the same.
Republicans in the Assembly said that the bill was a compromise that did good things while spending $1.8 billion of the state’s budget surplus but it wasn’t perfect and didn’t have everything they wanted.
“I wish rainwater was beer, but it’s not,” Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, said about the compromise.
Vos, R-Rochester, said that lawmakers needed to “put aside the things that cannot happen and focus on the things that can.”
Republican Sen. Steve Nass, who is against the bill, told reporters that Evers and legislative leaders were “once again behind closed doors buying votes to make a bad deal even worse.”
The tax deal is a test of leadership. Evers & LeMhieu appear to be failing. From Sen Nass”As has been the ongoing crisis of integrity in the State Capitol this session, Evers and leg leaders are once again behind closed doors buying votes to make a bad deal even worse”— BenYount1130 (@yount1130) May 13, 2026
The bill includes $300 income tax refund for individuals and $600 for those married and filing jointly based upon the 2024 tax year and those who earned more than the tax refund and 90% of their income was earned in Wisconsin.
The refund, scheduled to be sent by September, will cost the state $870 million as lawmakers spend down $1.8 billion of the projected $2.37 billion surplus at the end of the current budget cycle. A new report from the state’s Legislative Audit Bureau says that tax collections are tracking $300 million to $350 million ahead of January estimates.
The bill mirrors federal law by eliminating state income tax on overtime, which will amount to a $328 million tax cut statewide over two years, and eliminate income tax on cash tips, amounting to a $102 million cut over two years.
The delay include an online dispute between Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, and Evers Communications Director Britt Cudaback over the benefits of the general school aid portion of the bill.
Well, you’re also wrong. General aid *does* go to schools, and can be used on whatever districts want to use it for, unlike categorical aid. Schools get more resources and property taxpayers get tax relief.— Britt Cudaback (@BrittCudaback) May 13, 2026

(The Center Square) – Supporters of the $1.8 billion tax deal at the Wisconsin Capitol are going to have to find at least one Democratic vote to get the plan over the hump.
Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, on Tuesday became the second Senate Republican to say he will not vote for the deal.
“After reviewing the details of the supposed “bi-partisan” agreement between the governor and outgoing legislative leaders, I feel it is a very bad deal for the people I work for. We have a one-time budget surplus that should be returned as a one-time refund to the Wisconsin taxpayers who were overcharged,” Kapenga said on X.
Kapenga joins Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, as the only two Republicans in the Senate to publicly oppose the deal.
Their opposition leaves Senate Republicans one vote short of being able to pass the package on their own.
It remains to be seen if any Democrats will vote for the package.
During Tuesday’s Joint Finance Committee meeting, all four JFC Democrats voted against the plan.
That vote came after Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein said she does not support the tax rebates in the package.
“From my perspective, there is no deal,” Hesselbein, D-Middleton, said in a statement. “Senate Democrats will have more to say once we have seen the full details of this expensive proposal and have gotten some clarifying information on revenue projections in this time of significant economic uncertainty and upheaval.”
Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol continue to say they want to see more money for Wisconsin public schools, but they say they cannot support what they are calling a “backroom deal.”
Gov. Tony Evers has said he wants a majority in the Wisconsin Senate, and he doesn’t care how lawmakers get there.
“I need a majority of each house, and whether that’s all Democrats, all Republicans, or a mix, I don’t care,” Evers said.
The proposal from Evers and Republican leaders in the Assembly and Senate would send $600 million to Wisconsin schools for both special education and to “buy down” local property taxes. Taxpayers would also see either a $300 or $600 tax rebate. And the plan would eliminate taxes on tips and overtime in the state.
The proposal is scheduled for votes in both the Assembly and Senate today.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee approved a bill on Tuesday with a 12-4 vote that will increase state special education funding, provide tax rebate checks and replace some local property tax funding with state school aid.
The bill also would end income tax on overtime and cash tips, a permanent change that will outlast a federal law set to do the same.
The Assembly and Senate are scheduled to meet on the bill in special session on Wednesday.
The bill saw opposition from both Republican and Democrat candidates for governor, including Congressman Tom Tiffany.
“The surplus is here now, we’re here now,” said Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, stating that the bill would look different if Tiffany was governor.
The bill includes $300 income tax refund for individuals and $600 for those married and filing jointly based upon the 2024 tax year and those who earned more than the tax refund and 90% of their income was earned in Wisconsin.
The refund, set to be sent by September, will cost the state $870 million as lawmakers spend down $1.8 billion of the projected $2.37 billion surplus at the end of the current budget cycle. A new report from the state’s Legislative Audit Bureau says that tax collections are tracking $300 million to $350 million ahead of January estimates.
Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, objected to the fact the bill won’t provide a check for those on social security, which is not taxed as income by Wisconsin.
“There is a lot of good in this bill,” said Rep. Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls.
The bill includes $300 million in general school aid, which will replace that amount of property tax obligations across the state, along with $300 million in additional special education funding and $50 million additional to the Wisconsin Technical College System that will also replace property tax obligations.
The bill mirrors federal law by eliminating state income tax on overtime, which will amount to a $328 million tax cut statewide over two years, and eliminate income tax on cash tips, amounting to a $102 million cut over two years.

(The Center Square) – The Republican running for governor in Wisconsin is at odds with top Republicans in the state legislature over a $1.8 billion tax relief plan being offered by the governor.
Tom Tiffany said during an interview on News Talk 1130 WISN on Tuesday that he would not vote for the package that would send $600 million more to schools in the state, in exchange for no taxes on tips or overtime, and direct refund checks to taxpayers across the state.
“I would not vote for it,” Tiffany said.
He blamed Gov. Tony Evers for offering Republicans a bad deal.
“He could have put in here the repeal of the 400-year property tax increase, and he did not,” Tiffany added. “All he wanted in there for the relief was a ‘sugar high’ for a year.”
Tiffany’s comments add an extra complication for Republican lawmakers, some of whom have already said they will not vote for the plan.
Both the State Senate and State Assembly are set to vote on the compromise, and Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August also said Tuesday morning that Republicans in the Assembly are “ready to move forward” on the tax deal.
“I understand why Republicans may support this, because they’re at least getting something,” Tiffany said. “I get why they would want to take a victory here, but we need long-term systemic tax relief.”
Tiffany is just the latest candidate for governor to weigh in against the tax proposal.
On Monday, Democratic frontrunner Francesca Hong also said she will vote against the tax package.
“@GovEvers bargain with the GOP is bad for Wisconsin, and I will be voting no,” Hong wrote on X. “This backroom deal is a payday loan taken out at the expense of our children, our infrastructure, our economy, and our future.”
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez on Tuesday said she is in favor of the deal on the table.
“The deal between Gov. Evers and Republican legislators is a compromise that’s far from perfect, and it’s a reminder of how much better off Wisconsin would be with Democratic majorities in the state legislature,” Rodriguez wrote on X. “I support increasing funding for public schools and special education and providing property tax relief for homeowners. I also support doing more.”
Lawmakers in Madison are set to hold a hearing on the tax package Tuesday afternoon. It is scheduled to go to a vote Wednesday.

(The Center Square) – Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders announced a deal that will send $600 million more to Wisconsin K-12 schools, ends income tax on cash tips and overtime income and includes a $300 tax refund for individuals and $600 for married couples.
The plan is expected to be voted on by the Joint Committee on Finance on Tuesday before it heads to the full Assembly and Senate on Wednesday with Evers planning to sign the deal as early as next week.
The plan was the result of negotiations between Evers, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu.
“I’ve always said that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state – it’s why it’s been important to me throughout this process that we make sure our kids and our schools have the resources they need while also lowering property taxes and giving working families a little breathing room in their household budgets,” Evers said in a statement. “After months of hard work, I’m proud we were able to put politics aside on a plan to use a portion of our historic state surplus to do the right thing for Wisconsinites across our state.”
Wisconsin was estimated to finish the current budget cycle with a $2.37 billion surplus while a new report from the state’s Legislative Audit Bureau says that tax collections are tracking $300 million to $350 million ahead of January estimates.
“Republicans have fought hard to control spending, and now we have a sizable budget surplus,” Vos said in a statement. “We’re sending it back to help families with the pressure of increasing costs, reward hard work, and to continue investing in schools to help stabilize rising property taxes.”
The tax refunds are for Wisconsin residents who earned 90% of their income in the state during the 2024 tax year.
“Our top priority in this process was to return the state’s surplus to those who created it: hardworking taxpayers across the state. This deal will provide immediate relief with $600 in surplus refund payments and provide permanent property and income tax relief for Wisconsin families,” LeMahieu said in a statement.
The deal includes $300 million in general school aid along with $300 million in additional special education funding and $50 million additional to the Wisconsin Technical College System.
“This aid is counted under each district’s revenue limit and, as a result, reduces each district’s operational levy by an equal amount, ensuring the district doesn’t have to raise its local levy and reducing the tax burden on local property taxpayers,” the announcement explained.
The deal also mirrors federal law by eliminating state income tax on overtime, which will amount to a $328 million tax cut statewide over two years, and eliminate income tax on cash tips, amounting to a $102 million cut over two years.

(The Center Square) – The University of Wisconsin system is moving forward with its search for a new system president as state lawmakers remain interested in why the opening exists.
The Board of Regents named UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter the interim president while naming a presidential search committee that will be led by Regent Ashok Rai.
Sen. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, said in late April that the Legislature was not giving up on the dismissal of former President Jay Rothman. Hutton headed a committee looking into the Regents’ decision to remove Rothman and he was not pleased with the answers he received or the fact just two of 10 regents attended the hearing.
“The Regents cited performance reviews and concerns about Mr. Rothman’s style, but they had no documentation for the committee and didn’t provide a single note, memo, or record to support their decision,” Hutton said at the time. “Even the smallest private employer has to maintain thorough records for the most routine personnel decisions. The public deserves at least that level of transparency when it comes to one of our state’s most important institutions.”
Wachter is the senior-most chancellor in the University of Wisconsin system.
“Renée brings the experience, judgment, and institutional understanding this moment requires,” Bogost said in a statement. “As our longest-serving chancellor, she knows our universities, our communities, and the challenges and opportunities facing public higher education in Wisconsin. She has earned the trust and respect of colleagues across the system through steady leadership and a collaborative approach.
The committee also includes UW-Parkside Chancellor Lynn Akey, UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank, UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Thomas Gibson, incoming UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Edwin Martini, UW-Madison Provost John Zumbrunnen and Regents Angela Adams, Jim Kreuser, Tom Palzewicz, Joan Prince and Sara Rogers.

(The Center Square) – Kirk Bangstad is not backing away from the controversy that got him national headlines last month.
Bangstad says his social media post that said a “brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship” was satire.
“Remember, there was another half of that post that said, ‘Or Donald Trump is trying to fake an assassination attempt to get a better news cycle,'” Bangstad said during an appearance on UpFront. “The first part was satire that was trying to set off the second part. I meant it as satire. I’ve said that all along, and I think it was taken out of context in order to create a feeding frenzy by the media, which it did, and allow Republicans to paint Democrats as politically violent.”
That post got Bangstad an interview with the Secret Service. It also got him a lot of national attention.
And it is that attention that Bangstad said is his biggest strength in the crowded Democratic race for governor.
“I’ve got oodles of money in Facebook followers and Substack, or the equivalent of that in my being able to reach people and give them my message,” Bangstad said.
Many Wisconsin Democrats have distanced themselves from Bangstad, and it remains to be seen in Bangstad will be invited to next month’s Democratic convention.
On Sunday he said he will be at the convention and will speak to voters no matter what.
“I’d speak anyways, but speak outside the front door,” Bangstad said. “And if they try to not let me speak, they’re going to put me in office. Let’s be honest, if they restrict my speech as a fellow Democrat, they are going to do so much harm to their appearance, and they’re going to do so much harm to the other candidates. I will win the primary if they don’t let me speak. I guarantee you that.”
UpFront also featured a conversation with candidates David Crowley and Missy Hughes.
Hughes said that she is “normal” is her strength.
“The leading candidate [in the primary] is ‘undecided.’ I think Wisconsinites are starting to pay attention after the spring elections, they’re getting excited about who our next governor is,” Hughes said. “So, I’m making sure that they hear my message. And as soon as they do, they’re like ‘Oh, she’s normal. She knows how the state runs. She knows what runs the state. Let’s do it.’”
Hughes is currently polling at 1% in the Democratic race, far behind the leader Francesca Hong.

(The Center Square) – Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson announced Friday that he won’t be running for governor and that he is endorsing Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany for the post.
Thompson is the state’s longest-serving governor and a former president of the University of Wisconsin system and United States Secretary of Health.
“I have spent my entire career fighting for my neighbors, my country, and my state,” Thompson said in a statement. “I love Wisconsin, and growing up in Elroy instilled in me the values that shaped my time as governor. Tom Tiffany comes from those same Wisconsin roots. From his upbringing on a dairy farm in Elmwood to his service today, he knows our communities and what it takes to lead.
“Tom will build on the education, welfare, and tax reforms we started here in Wisconsin. The State has to keep reforming and moving forward. That’s why I am endorsing Tom today. At this critical moment, he is the right leader for Wisconsin’s future, and I look forward to campaigning for him and all Republicans across the state this November.”
Tiffany is the Republican frontrunner looking to take over for Democrat Tony Evers, who announced he is not running for reelection. The Democratic race has a large number of candidates, including Francesca Hong, D-Madison along with former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, businessman Joel Brennan, state Rep. Kelda Roys and former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes.
“Governor Thompson’s leadership has left an incredible legacy on Wisconsin, and generations of Wisconsinites are better off because of his service,” Tiffany said in a statement. “We are just two kids from Elroy and Elmwood who believe in Wisconsin’s potential, and it’s an honor to have his endorsement.”

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin state Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek, announced that she would not run for reelection while Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, said that he will be running to retain his seat.
Rodriguez said that she was retiring after first joining the state Assembly in 2013 in a special election. She represented the 21st district.
“Throughout my time in office, I have tried to keep family first,” Rodriguez said. “But the truth is, it is difficult to do this job well without it affecting the people who care about you most. My family has given me patience, encouragement, and support through long days, busy weeks, and many moments when this work required more of me than they deserved to lose.”
Dylan Pfaffenbach, who lives in Oak Creek, announced Friday that he would be running for the 21st District seat.
Pfaffenbach said he will prioritize increasing health-care price transparency, improving Wisconsin’s education system and securing our neighborhood’s safety for our families along with affordability.
“I’d like to thank Rep. Jessie Rodriguez for her more than a decade of service to the community. Her leadership in the Assembly will be sorely missed,” Pfaffenbach said in a statement. “I’m running because families across our community are being squeezed by rising every-day costs that make life more difficult. Rising utility rates, the cost of homeownership, and the never-ending property tax hikes are preventing us from reaching our full potential. Wisconsin needs fresh leadership that not only listens to residents but offers new and practical solutions.”
Donovan has been an advocate for eliminating emissions testing in Wisconsin in the seven-county non attainment zone.
“Milwaukee County needs a strong advocate in Madison who delivers real results on the issues that matter most, including public safety and common-sense relief for hardworking families,” Donovan said in a statement announcing his reelection campaign. “Over the past session, I have fought tirelessly to protect our communities by securing critical resources for Milwaukee County’s public safety, passing tough new laws to tow reckless drivers off our streets, and pushing for an end to the outdated and burdensome vehicle emissions testing program that has taxed southeast Wisconsin drivers for far too long.”
WisDems Chair Devin Remiker pointed to election results in Michigan on Tuesday as an indication why Rodriguez became the 15th legislative Republican to announce that he or she would not run for reelection.
“Rodriguez is joining 14 of her Republican colleagues in retirement, seeing the writing on the wall following Chris Taylor’s historic Supreme Court victory, Republican leadership abandoning ship, and Democrats continuing to overperform across the country,” Remiker said in a statement. “They know that they can’t outrun the ever-worsening cost crisis that Donald Trump and Republicans are driving with their disastrous agenda. To those like Bob Donovan and Shannon Zimmerman who have decided to run again, you have 23 days to retire or you will be fired by the voters in November. Your leaders and colleagues know what is coming and it is not the cavalry; it is only defeat.”

(The Center Square) – A temporary restraining order was granted Friday that will block Milwaukee from starting its food truck curfew Saturday.
The motion was granted to put the curfew on hold until at least June 10, when the next court proceeding will occur.
The ruling came after the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed a lawsuit on behalf of Abdallah Ismail, owner of the Fatty Patty food trucks, seeking to block the 10 p.m. food truck curfew on Saturday that also included an 11 p.m. curfew at Burnham Park.
“It’s good,” Ismail said after the ruling. “It’s a month, not like the five days we were expecting. It’s really good.”
The lawsuit argued that the new law interfered with Ismail’s ability to make a living and that it arbitrarily treats food trucks on Water Street differently than bars and restaurants in the area.
“By aggressively limiting hours of sale while simultaneously keeping brick and mortar restaurants open, the city is violating the rights of our client,” WILL Associate Counsel Kirsten Atanasoff said in a statement when the lawsuit was filed. “WILL is proud to help this small business owner oppose the city’s senseless policy.”
Alderman Bob Bauman previously said that the ordinance was necessary to control crime and “food trucks are a significant cause of the disorder that is taking place on Water Street, especially among underage individuals who can’t even patronize the bars.”

(The Center Square) – A computer hack has changed the last week of classes at some University of Wisconsin campuses.
The university on Thursday announced that a nationwide hack of the Canvas system has disrupted final exams.
“A nationwide security incident at Instructure is disrupting Canvas across higher education, including at UW–Madison. As we know more, we will share it promptly,” the university said in a statement.
Canvas is a national hub for tests, grades and study guides.
UW-Madison provost John Zumbrunnen said without Canvas some professors are being told to cancel final exams.
“If you are unable to administer your final exam or you feel students cannot prepare adequately without access to Canvas, you should use an alternative option, such as basing grades on work completed so far,” Zumbrunnen said in a statement. “You are encouraged to consult with your department chair, academic dean’s office or other colleagues as you weigh the options.”
The hack is also delaying final grades.
Typically, UW-Madison professors need to have final grades finished by May 11. The university said it is pushing that deadline back to May 14.
The Canvas hack, however, is not just causing problems with grades and final exams. There are worries about security across the UW as well.
“If Canvas prompts you to perform any action — such as clicking a link, logging in, resetting your password, or completing any tasks — do not proceed,” UW-Madison told students in a warning on the school’s IT information page.
Canvas first reported a hack May 1, saying it included student names, email addresses and ID numbers. The hack did not include passwords, dates of birth, government identifiers or financial information.
UW leaders have not said how many students may have been exposed at the campus in Madison. Other UW schools have also been silent so far about the impact of the hack on their students.

(The Center Square) – A lawsuit was filed on Thursday seeking to block Milwaukee’s 10 p.m. food truck curfew, set to begin Saturday.
The curfew will begin at 11 p.m. at Burnham Park. The food truck curfew is an attempt to curb crime in the city.
The lawsuit, seeking an emergency stay of the new law before it begins, was filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty on behalf of Abdallah Ismail, owner of the Fatty Patty food trucks.
“This ordinance is going to shut down small businesses and provide less affordable food options to workers and residents of our city,” Ismail said in a statement. “Food truck owners create good food and provide a real service, but the city has made us into scapegoats for violence and crime. This cannot stand.”
The lawsuit argues that the new law interferes with Ismail’s ability to make a living and that it arbitrarily treats food trucks on Water Street differently than bars and restaurants in the area.
Alderman Bob Bauman previously said that the ordinance was necessary to control crime and “food trucks are a significant cause of the disorder that is taking place on Water Street, especially among underage individuals who can’t even patronize the bars.”
“By aggressively limiting hours of sale while simultaneously keeping brick and mortar restaurants open, the city is violating the rights of our client,” WILL Associate Counsel Kirsten Atanasoff said in a statement. “WILL is proud to help this small business owner oppose the city’s senseless policy.”

(The Center Square) – A Milwaukee woman is being accused of defrauding Wisconsin’s Medicaid program out of nearly $2.2 million and using the proceeds to buy Kitt’s Frozen Custard in Milwaukee, along with an Octopus Car Wash and a Mercedes Benz AMG S63.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice filed charges against 44-year-old Debbie Long of Milwaukee, accusing her of funneling funds through shell companies to conceal the alleged fraudulent transactions from Pinnacle Home Health Care, where Long is owner and administrator.
Long is accused of billing for almost $2.2 million by billing for personal care services which did not take place.
She is charged with theft by fraud and fraud against a financial institution greater than $100,000 along with wire fraud and money laundering over $100,000.
“Public benefit programs rely upon tax dollars to provide critical services,” Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement. “It is critical to protect the integrity of these programs.”
Long is also accused of fraudulently obtaining a $219,072 Paycheck Protection Program loan from the federal government by inflating the size of Pinnacle’s payroll and workforce.
The investigation was led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit and Division of Criminal Investigation along with assistance from the Greenfield Police Department.

(The Center Square) – Election managers in Madison and Dane county are now facing a second lawsuit over ballot counting problems in Madison.
The law firm Law Forward filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of two voters who may not have their ballots from the April election counted because those ballots were delivered to the polls late.
Madison’s clerk said a clerk’s office employee was delayed in getting the ballots to the polls before Wisconsin’s 8 p.m. deadline.
“These voters did everything Wisconsin law asked of them, and the city and county properly counted their ballots,” Law Forward President Jeff Mandell said in a statement. “Their votes were cast, received, and counted on Election Day. WEC is now trying to erase them from the record because of a clerical error these voters had absolutely no control over. Failing to count these absentee votes will only erode trust in our elections and jeopardize access to voting in future elections. It’s critical that the court take urgent action to ensure these votes are counted.”
Wisconsin law requires all ballots to be at their polling places by 8 p.m. Madison’s clerk has not said why 23 ballots were late, but said the person tasked with delivering them was “delayed.”
The Wisconsin Elections Commission last month said the late ballots should not be counted. Madison and Dane County’s Board of Canvassers this week voted to appeal that decision.
Still, it may be difficult to un-count the votes. Madison’s clerk has said poll workers did not track the late ballots, and so 20 random ballots would have to be “drawn down.”
This is the second lawsuit from Law Forward involving Madison’s election managers and mishandled ballots.
Law Forward is also driving the lawsuit for nearly 200 voters who saw their votes go uncounted in the November 2024 election. Those ballots were found after Election Day, but Madison’s former clerk never pushed to have them counted.
Law Forward is asking for a decision in the late ballots case before next week’s deadline to certify the April election results.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin saw an unemployment rate drop in 65 of its 72 counties in March with all 13 metropolitan areas and 30 of the largest 35 cities in the state seeing unemployment drops as well.
That comes as the overall state unemployment rate rose to 3.5% in the month, below the national rate of 4.2%.
The state’s lowest unemployments rates were in Calumet (2.9%), Dane (3.0%), Green (3.2%), Kewaunee (3.2%), Lafayette (3.2%), Ozaukee (3.2%) and Sheboygan (3.2%) counties.
The highest rates were in Iron (7.8%), Burnett (7.7%) and Polk (7.5%) counties with the rest of the counties sitting below 7%.
The overall numbers showed that there were 17,200 less employed in nonfarm jobs in March as opposed to the year before while there were 18,800 less service jobs and 7,700 less government employees in the state with 4,500 less employed in local government, 2,100 less federal employees and 1,100 less employed in state government.
Manufacturing jobs were down 5,200 year over year while there was a 6,900 employee increase in private education and health services.
Fitchburg (2.7%) was the Wisconsin city with the lowest unemployment rate, followed by Madison (2.9%), Sun Prairie (3.1%) and Mequon (3.2%) amongst the states’ 35 largest cities. Racine (6.0%) had the highest rate, followed by Milwaukee (5.3%), Superior (5.2%), Beloit (5.1%) and West Allis (4.7%).

(The Center Square) – While those supporting sales tax breaks for data center projects say they believe the breaks are necessary to compete for projects amongst the 38 states that currently offer the incentives, a growing number of state Legislatures are considering whether the tax breaks are worth the benefits.
Wisconsin congressman and candidate for governor Tom Tiffany has declared that he intends to end data center tax breaks if elected. A recent report from Wisconsin’s Legislative Audit Bureau shows that the state will forego $1.5 billion in sales tax to four data center projects in initially construction and then $369 million more annually once the projects are completed.
Wisconsin’s exemption, enacted in the 2023-25 budget, applies to everything from property purchases to computer servers and energy systems at the site to electricity and cooling systems.
The exemptions apply to Microsoft’s $20.6 billion in data centers in Wisconsin along with OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers’ $15 billion in data center investments in Port Washington. Epic Hosting’s $347 million project in Verona and Meta’s $1 billion project in Beaver Dam are also included.
Virginia sales tax breaks, estimated to be worth $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion annually, are currently at the center of budget discussions in the state while a new Pennsylvania bill would end the sales tax breaks in the state, expected to reach $517.2 million annually in 2030-31.
Minnesota ended its sales tax exemption on electricity for data centers last year while other states, such as North Carolina, are considering an end to the exemptions.
“If all planned data centers in North Carolina are built, developers would receive an estimated $450 million in sales tax exemptions each and every year,” Gov. Josh Stern wrote on social media last month. “And with the state’s impending fiscal cliff and the federal government retreating on longstanding commitments, state revenue is especially precious.
“We should spend taxpayer dollars only when it adds value to our people. And do we really want to subsidize energy consumption by data centers when they are making everyone else’s power bills go up? It doesn’t make much sense to me.”
Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce President Dale Kooyenga has advocated for the continued use of data center sales tax exemptions in Wisconsin, saying that construction workers on the projects are paying income and property taxes that exceed the value of the sales tax exemptions and the projects would not come to the state without the sales tax break.
“As a CPA, it is not a ‘cost’ if you never had the revenue or expense,” Kooyenga wrote. “There is no hole in the budget; in fact, there are more state resources because the policy brought economic activity to WI, and an existing funding stream or expenditure didn’t have to be cut.
“Ratepayers will not subsidize electrical rates, property taxpayers do not subsidize TIFs and a sales tax exemption does not mean that this is ‘costing’ WI taxpayers.”