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Great schools and a great economy go hand in hand in Wisconsin.
The economic future of the state is directly tied to our success in providing a high-quality educational product for every child and adult in Wisconsin. From pre-kindergarten through higher levels of university studies, quality education creates an effective work force, an involved citizenry and a strong economy.
At
the same time, a strong economy enhances the state's ability to continue
to provide quality education. A weak economy generates less tax revenue
to support the resources needed to provide quality education on an ongoing
basis.
Wisconsin must remain in a positive cycle of providing a system of quality education and supporting a strong economy with good-paying jobs. Investing in education now is best way to ensure that we build for the future.
It is for all these reasons that WEAC is committed to strengthening Wisconsin's schools and improving the economy.
This page provides resources that we believe contribute to that goal. Below you will find links to Web sites that offer extensive information and perspective on economic development issues. To the left are a series of thought-provoking columns titled "Inside Wisconsin," written by Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Counc il and the former associate editor of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison.
News
Two studies bust state tax myths
Two studies released in March 2006 bust the myths
that Wisconsin's business taxes are high and that government growth is out of
control. In one, the Associated Press released an analysis concluding that Wisconsin businesses
saw their profits grow more than twice as fast as their state and local tax
bills in the 1980s and 1990s.
State's economy depends on great schools, Doyle says
Wisconsin’s economy is strong in large part because of the state’s great schools, Governor Jim Doyle said at a February 9 economic development conference. “There is not a governor in the country who – if he or she is honest – would not trade me even up for our education system,” Doyle said.
Inc.
Magazine credits schools for state's excellent business climate
Inc. Magazine is singling Wisconsin out as one of the best places in
the country to do business, and "the quality of the state's public
education system" is at the top of the list of factors contributing
to the state's success.
State
dominates Expansion Management magazine's list of best schools
Wisconsin public schools dominate the list of the nation's best schools
in teh April 2005 issue of Expansion Management Magazine, a publication
geared toward small businesses. Wisconsin schools account for five of
the top 10 school districts in the nation and eight of the top 20, according
to the magazine. They are Sheboygan (#2), Madison (#3), Oshkosh-Neenah
(#6), Appleton (#7), Eau Claire (#10), Fond du Lac (#15), Wausau (#18,)
and La Crosse (#20).
Forbe's
Magazine ranks Madison No. 1 city for business
Madison’s ranking as the nation's No. 1 city for business and careers
extends to all of Dane County. The Wisconsin Technology Network Web
site features an interview with Forbes Senior Editor Kurt Badenhausen,
who revels that the publication's Best Places for Business and Careers
ranking applies to the entire “Madison Metro Area" and includes
all of Dane County.
Proposed
resolution to limit taxes misses the mark, Butera says
Comments by WEAC Executive Director Michael A. Butera to the
Business Day Conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and
Commerce. Butera focuses on Assembly Joint Resolution 55, a proposed
constitutional amendment to freeze spending and cut taxes.
Wisconsin Resources
Grow
Wisconsin: Governor Jim Doyle's plan to create jobs
Governor Doyle has announced his Grow Wisconsin plan, a comprehensive
agenda of action to get Wisconsin's economy moving again, producing
the kind of good paying jobs that permit people to support their families,
buy a home, and enjoy the great life Wisconsin has to offer.
Center on Wisconsin
Strategy (COWS)
The Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) is a "think-and-do tank"
dedicated to improving economic performance and living standards in
the state of Wisconsin. From its home base at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
COWS works in three main areas: research, field projects, and outreach.
The State of Working Wisconsin: Update 2003 (pdf file)
This report by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) examines the impact of the recent recession on Wisconsin workers and their families.Jobs With a Future
Jobs With a Future (JWF) is a partnership of business, labor, and public-sector representatives committed to improving the workforce development system in South Central Wisconsin. JWF is a project of the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Its goal is to enhance workers' opportunities in the labor market while serving the needs of employers in the region.
Building the New Wisconsin
Economy
This is a two-year civic journalism project designed to engage the public
and stimulate a high-profile, ongoing public discussion about the importance
and feasibility of economic development in our state. WEAC is a co-sponsor
of this project.
EconomicsWisconsin
EconomicsWisconsin is a non-profit, non-partisan organization governed
by a Board of Directors made up of business and professional leaders,
educators, and representatives from agriculture and labor. EconomicsWisconsin
is the state name and logo for the Wisconsin Council on Economic Education.
Its mission to to bring business, labor, and education together to provide
resources to teach students financial literacy and economic understanding.
Institute
for Wisconsin's Future
IWF was established in 1994 by a broad coalition of concerned citizens,
labor organizations, academics, professionals, religious leaders and
advocate groups. Its mission is to inform Wisconsin residents about
issues and policies that affect their lives and to encourage broader
citizen involvement in public policy debates and decision making.
Governor
Doyle's school finance task force
A system for providing fair and adequate funding of public K-12 education
in Wisconsin is essential for maintaining quality education and providing
a great school for every child. Reliable funding ensures a well-educated
work force.
National Resources
The Economic Policy
Institute
EPI was established in 1986 to broaden the discussion about economic
policy to include the interests of low- and middle-income workers.
Progressive
Policy Institute's 21st Century Schools Project Bulletin
PPI's mission is to define and promote a new progressive politics for
America in the 21st century. Through its research, policies, and commentary,
the Institute is fashioning a new governing philosophy and an agenda
for public innovation geared to the Information Age.
Institute
on Taxation and Economic Policy
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) is a non-profit,
non-partisan research and education organization that works on government
taxation and spending policy issues. ITEP's unique resources and capabilities
enable it to provide policymakers, advocates, and the public with accurate,
useful, and timely information regarding state and federal tax systems
and how they affect taxpayers at different income levels. ITEP's mission
is to keep policymakers and the public informed of the effects of current
and proposed tax polices on tax fairness, government budgets and sound
economic policy.
Good Jobs First
GJF is a national leader in providing timely, accurate information to the public, the media, public officials and economic development professionals on best practices in state and local job subsidies. GJF works with a broad spectrum of organizations as they seek to ensure that subsidized businesses are held accountable for family-wage jobs and other effective results. GJF is a project of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
Connect
for Kids weekly newsletter
Connect for Kids offers a place on the Internet for adults — parents,
grandparents, educators, policymakers and others — who want to
become more active citizens, from volunteering to voting with kids in
mind. The project is supported by the NEA. The comprehensive weekly
newsletter provides news summaries and links to informative articles
in a variety of categories, including economic issues.
An Economy
that Works for All
The information and resources on this site are designed to help people
who care about building an economy that works for all Americans - one
that provides profit to business owners and stable jobs with adequate
pay and benefits to employees. All materials are based on extensive
research that was conducted for a communications and technical assistance
project called For An Economy That Works for All, funded by the Ford
Foundation and coordinated by Douglas Gould & Co., Inc., a public
interest communications firm.
In the News
'Invest
in kids' taken literally
Economists say money put toward early-childhood programs offers great
returns and may be the best form of economic development out there.
St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 24, 2003.