Research Reports
The Public Policy Forum publishes reports,
research briefs, and major studies across a range of topics.
Visit our Issues page to access reports
by topic; here you can access all reports by title, date,
or type (full report or research brief).
Recent Reports
|
| The Price of Quality |
December, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| early childhood education are seen by community leaders as a strategy for improving outcomes in areas such as K-12 education, workforce development, and economic development. Indeed, many research studies conclude that high quality early learning environments produce social, educational, and economic benefits for children and the communities in which they live. As a result, many state and local governments around the country are seeking to capture these benefits by investing in quality improvement efforts. Wisconsin is no different; the 2009-2010 state biennial budget calls for the Department of Children and Families to create a strategy for improving the quality of publicly-subsidized child care.
While policymakers increasingly are looking to maximize the benefits of high-quality early childhood education, budget realities often dictate that they do so while minimizing the expenditure of public funds. Thus, this report seeks to inform these decisions in Wisconsin by estimating the costs of achieving improved quality in child care and early learning programs in southeast Wisconsin and analyzing policy options associated with quality improvement initiatives.
|
| |
| The People Speak Poll: Tolls roads, rail find support across region |
November 17, 2009
|
|
| research brief
|
| At least 50% of residents in three of four metro Milwaukee counties say they are in favor of toll roads to fund transportation improvements, while an increase in the gas tax was favored by less than a quarter of residents in each county. High speed rail to Chicago and Madison is supported by majorities in three counties as well. Commuter rail was strongly supported in Milwaukee County.
The People Speak poll surveyed 433 residents of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee Counties regarding their views on the economy, issues of importance to the region, and topical public policy issues. In general, the region's residents report optimism about the direction in which their neighborhoods and municipalities are headed, yet seem open to possible governance changes such as a regional parks authority. In addition, there is some support for new revenue streams such as user fees, provided that they reduce reliance on property taxes. |
| |
| The People Speak Poll: Milwaukee area citizens hurting, but optimistic about the future |
October, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| Milwaukee area citizens are optimistic about their financial futures, yet a sizeable portion report having experienced financial difficulties in the past six months. The People Speak telephone survey of 433 residents of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee Counties reveals that a third of the area's citizens have had problems paying their bills at some time during the past six months. Of those experiencing such problems, however, 59% report being somewhat or very optimistic about their financial future. Among the entire survey sample, 64% were optimistic about their financial future.
|
| |
| 12th annual comparative analysis of the Racine Unified School District |
October, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| This is the 12th annual report on conditions affecting the Racine Unified School District (RUSD). This year, our analysis again focuses on the long-term historical trends in RUSD. The analysis compares RUSD data to data of nine peer school districts as well as statewide data. The peer districts are defined as those Wisconsin districts with enrollments most similar to the enrollment in Racine. In addition to enrollment trends, the findings pertain to three RUSD quality objective measures: operational efficiency, student engagement, and student achievement. Operational efficiency includes finance data, student engagement includes attendance and disciplinary data, while student achievement includes test scores and graduation rates.
|
| |
| Budget Brief: 2010 Proposed City of Milwaukee Budget |
October, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| In the few weeks that have passed since the budget was introduced, and in the few weeks that will follow before budget adoption, a great deal of attention has and will be focused on the level of property taxation and fee increases proposed by the mayor, as well as the substantial cuts in positions and services that he argues are an undesirable yet necessary byproduct of the city's fiscal plight. While this focus is both necessary and appropriate, we suggest that another key area of focus should be whether, in attempting to respond to the unprecedented challenges facing the city in 2010, the mayor and his budget team have crafted solutions that not only address the short-term budgetary consequences wrought by recession, but also the longer term structural problems that have been building for years.
In this report, we highlight the major provisions of the budget document and critically evaluate their impact both upon city services and area residents. We also discuss some new program initiatives, and we consider how the 2010 budget impacts city finances in the long term. Our intent is to contribute to a more objective and informed debate on the City of Milwaukee's 2010 budget.
|
| |
| Budget Brief: Milwaukee County 2010 Executive Budget |
October, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| The 2010 recommended budget contains familiar proposals to privatize county services, maximize state and federal revenue sources, and eliminate small programs deemed outside of the county's "core mission". Those strategies are utilized less than in previous years, however, in recognition that a piecemeal approach no longer is tenable.
By taking on the county's wage and benefit structure, the recommended budget instead attempts a more long-term approach. This paper will point out the potential shortcomings associated with the county executive's strategy, but there can be little argument with the general need to do something about wages and benefits in light of the magnitude of the county's structural deficit. It is critical, in fact, that the debate at the county board not be about whether significant alterations in employee and retiree compensation are necessary, but about whether the specific package of wage and benefit concessions proposed by the county executive is fair, realistic and achievable, and what happens if it is not.
|
| |
| 13th Annual Report Card on Charitable Giving |
September, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| Metropolitan Milwaukee's nonprofit communities are experiencing a perfect storm; demand is up, giving is down, and some of the organizations designed to help those in need find themselves in precarious situations.
The 13th annual Report Card on Charitable Giving has changed to respond to the shifting charitable giving landscape nonprofits are experiencing due to the economy. We expanded the number of agencies we asked to weigh in on their financial health from our 56 bellwether organizations to nearly 400 agencies, and nearly half responded. Instead of asking nonprofits to report financial data that was at least six months old, we requested that organizations provide us with their real-time impressions of how the economy is affecting them, and therefore, the individuals and families they serve right now.
|
| |
| Public Schooling in Southeastern Wisconsin |
September, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| For the 23rd consecutive year, the Public Policy Forum has compiled and analyzed data from Southeastern Wisconsin's school districts in order to better inform policymakers and the public about progress-or lack thereof-on commonly utilized measures of academic achievement. This year's analysis of the 2008-09 academic year indicates cause for encouragement in some areas, but also cause for significant concern.
|
| |
| 2008-2009 Southeastern Wisconsin School District Performance (pull-out poster) |
September, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| Pull-out poster providing Southeastern Wisconsin school performance in an easily readable format. Performance of the K-12 school districts includes enrollment, district finances, student participation and student performance measures. |
| |
| City of Milwaukee's Fiscal Condition: Between a Rock and a Hard Place |
August, 2009
|
|
| full report
|
| This report presents an analysis of the fiscal condition of the City of Milwaukee government, applying a professional financial evaluation system of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The city conducted this type of analysis internally during the 1990s, but it has done nothing similar this decade. In March 2009, the Forum released an evaluation of the finances of Milwaukee County also using the ICMA methodology.
Milwaukee's city government currently is experiencing serious financial difficulties. The recession hit Milwaukee hard, as it has the region and state, and the negative impact on Milwaukee's businesses and property values has had financial repercussions on city coffers. In addition, the massive decline in stock prices has devalued pension investments. While ranked the second most secure public pension fund in the nation prior to the economic downturn, Milwaukee's pension fund now has an unfunded liability of more than $700 million.
|
| |
Report Pages: First Previous Next Last
Currentlyt showing 11 to 20 of 186 total reports |
|
|
