Mar 07 2025 2 mins
Wisconsin is gearing up for a pivotal state Supreme Court election on April 1, 2025, with Democrats launching a "People vs. Musk" campaign to counter Elon Musk's support for a conservative candidate. The election is seen as the first major statewide race of the new Trump era, with potential implications for future redistricting and voting rights[6][2].
In economic news, Wisconsin's tax revenues increased by 5.2% during the first half of fiscal year 2025, reaching $9.7 billion. Growth was led by an 8.4% increase in individual income taxes, while sales tax revenue growth has slowed as inflation cooled[8]. The state's unemployment rate inched up to 3.0% in December 2024, but remains below the national average of 4.1%[8].
Governor Tony Evers unveiled his 2025-27 state budget proposal, calling for $119 billion in spending over two years, a 20% increase. The plan includes $3.15 billion for K-12 education, $856 million for the University of Wisconsin, and nearly $2 billion in tax relief. However, Republicans have dismissed it as a "liberal wish list" and plan to start from scratch[12].
Wisconsin experienced one of its driest starts to any year in 2025, with the state averaging just 0.23 inches of precipitation in January, making it the third driest January since records began in 1895. The combination of dry conditions and minimal snow cover led to an unusually high number of wildfires for mid-winter, with 74 fires scorching 264 acres in January[9].
Looking ahead, Wisconsin faces several challenges and opportunities. The state is preparing for potential climate migration, with some experts considering it a "climate haven" due to its abundance of water and cooler climate[4]. However, increased precipitation and high temperatures are raising the risk of climate disasters like floods and heat waves. The upcoming Supreme Court election and ongoing budget negotiations will likely dominate political discussions in the coming months, while businesses remain cautiously optimistic about economic growth in various sectors, including agriculture, technology manufacturing, and tourism[13].
In economic news, Wisconsin's tax revenues increased by 5.2% during the first half of fiscal year 2025, reaching $9.7 billion. Growth was led by an 8.4% increase in individual income taxes, while sales tax revenue growth has slowed as inflation cooled[8]. The state's unemployment rate inched up to 3.0% in December 2024, but remains below the national average of 4.1%[8].
Governor Tony Evers unveiled his 2025-27 state budget proposal, calling for $119 billion in spending over two years, a 20% increase. The plan includes $3.15 billion for K-12 education, $856 million for the University of Wisconsin, and nearly $2 billion in tax relief. However, Republicans have dismissed it as a "liberal wish list" and plan to start from scratch[12].
Wisconsin experienced one of its driest starts to any year in 2025, with the state averaging just 0.23 inches of precipitation in January, making it the third driest January since records began in 1895. The combination of dry conditions and minimal snow cover led to an unusually high number of wildfires for mid-winter, with 74 fires scorching 264 acres in January[9].
Looking ahead, Wisconsin faces several challenges and opportunities. The state is preparing for potential climate migration, with some experts considering it a "climate haven" due to its abundance of water and cooler climate[4]. However, increased precipitation and high temperatures are raising the risk of climate disasters like floods and heat waves. The upcoming Supreme Court election and ongoing budget negotiations will likely dominate political discussions in the coming months, while businesses remain cautiously optimistic about economic growth in various sectors, including agriculture, technology manufacturing, and tourism[13].