Wisconsin

Debt owed by Wisconsin’s local governments reaches highest level on record

Published

2 years ago

November 30, 2022

Debt owed by Wisconsin’s local governments reaches highest level on record

Native governments throughout Wisconsin are coping with growing debt burdens, in accordance with a brand new report from the Wisconsin Coverage Discussion board.

The report discovered that whole debt owed by the state’s cities, counties, villages and cities rose by 5.4 p.c to $11.04 billion in 2020 — the best quantity on document.

Cities together with Milwaukee, Madison and Kenosha maintain probably the most debt, however Wisconsin cities have seen the quickest progress in borrowing since 2015.

The Coverage Discussion board checked out Wisconsin Division of Income knowledge from greater than 1,920 native governments from 2000 to 2020. In line with the report, on Dec. 31, 2000, native governments owed a complete of $5.23 billion — or $7.86 billion in 2020 {dollars}. Twenty years later, those self same native governments owed $11.04 billion — a greater than 40.5 p.c enhance after adjusting for inflation.

Jason Stein is the analysis director for the Wisconsin Coverage Discussion board; he stated the rise is not purpose to panic, however it’s one thing to keep watch over.

“That is not robotically a foul factor. Debt is simply an instrument that you just use to make investments,” Stein stated, referring to constructing roads or upgrading infrastructure. “However on the similar time, when debt rises considerably, your funds on that debt are additionally going to rise.”

Stein stated it turns into problematic when debt funds supersede spending on native companies like public security, parks and libraries. That is one thing the town of Milwaukee has handled during the last a number of years — this finances cycle included.

The report factors to a number of the reason why borrowing has grown during the last twenty years, together with a necessity to interchange growing old infrastructure and improve know-how throughout the state. Rates of interest have additionally been extraordinarily low.

The report additionally factors to state legislation that incentivizes taking over extra debt.

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Levy limits in Wisconsin say that native governments cannot elevate property taxes by a higher share than the rise in new building.

“So if property values rose because of new building by 1 p.c, that is how a lot you may elevate the levy by,” Stein stated, including that with inflation, that may be practically not possible for municipalities.

Levy limits matter for debt as a result of property taxes used to pay for an area authorities’s working finances are constrained by the levy restrict, however property taxes used to make funds towards debt are exterior the levy restrict.

“That provides you an incentive to borrow to make sure funds, as a result of then (native officers) can elevate the property tax by … as a lot as is required to make that cost,” Stein stated.

And in Wisconsin, property values have risen — making it simpler for native governments to repay their money owed.

For the state’s two largest cities — Milwaukee and Madison — property values play a key position in how they’re faring.

In Milwaukee, extra of the town’s property tax levy is being put towards debt funds. Debt within the metropolis’s 2023 finances would account for 31.7 p.c of the general levy — probably the most since 2008, in accordance with the report.

Madison has additionally seen debt funds as a share of general-fund spending rise, however property values within the Capitol metropolis are so excessive, the burden is not as onerous to the working finances than it’s in Milwaukee.

“Milwaukee could be an excellent instance of a group that has greater debt ranges,” Stein stated. “Madison, on a per capita foundation, has comparatively excessive debt ranges, however as a result of the property values are excessive right here — if you concentrate on its debt as a share of property values — it is a lot decrease within the metropolis.”

With rates of interest on the rise, Stein stated he is to see how communities will fare, noting that federal help from pandemic support and the infrastructure invoice might assist communities liberate cash to pay down debt.

“I do assume there’s purpose for some warning,” he stated, “and to comply with this gorgeous intently.”

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Wisconsin

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

Published

9 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

MADISON, Wis. – It turned out that Luke Fickell had no reason to worry.

The University of Wisconsin head coach was hopeful that the results on the field wouldn’t cause members of his highly ranked third recruiting class to start rethinking their commitment or, worse yet, reopen their decision-making process entirely.

From the time the Badgers’ 2024 season ended without a bowl game for the first time in 23 years to the first day of the early signing period, Wisconsin’s staff only saw one prospect de-commit. Twenty-three kids signed paperwork to join Fickell’s program, a class that ranks 20th in the Rivals.com rankings with 10 four-star recruits from eight different states.

“To see guys not waver,” Fickell said. “That faith and belief that the games and what you see on Saturday isn’t everything. For those guys to hold with us and believe in us … relationships, trust, and belief in this process still win out.”

Adding depth to the offensive line, we look at the signing of Brookline (MA) Dexter’s Hardy Watts and how his addition improves the program.

Stats

Watts worked all over the offensive line during his high school career, but he spent this past season working primarily at right tackle. It was a position that his school needed him to play and the spot where he felt the most comfortable. It benefited him, as Watts earned all-conference recognition.

“I think I improved my chemistry and my ability to work as part of a unit, rather than making plays and flashy blocks,” Watts said. “I was learning the footwork of certain types of blocking and steps. I really refined what was already there and brought it back to working as part of a unit, making sure I am not messing up any assignments, and consistency.”

Recruiting Competition

The 17th commitment in Wisconsin’s 2025 class, Watts committed to the Badgers over a top group that included Clemson and Michigan. Watts also had two dozen offers from Power-Four schools like Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

“There were a few schools that never stopped pursuing me,” Watts said. “They were some new schools that came forward with an offer, but I just politely declined, explained to them the situation that I was locked in and wasn’t going anywhere.”

Recruiting Story

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

Published

17 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 7-9-6

Evening: 2-0-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 9-8-7-5

Evening: 6-3-7-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 03-04-06-07-09-10-14-16-17-18-19

Evening: 02-05-07-08-12-13-17-18-19-20-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

05-19-22-23-24

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

02-03-06-30-31-34, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

MADISON – A recent court ruling has opened the door for former junior college players to gain another year of NCAA eligibility.

It appears that Tawee Walker is going to take advantage of the opportunity.

According to On3, Wisconsin’s senior running back will enter the transfer portal in search of a home for next season. The news came one day after the NCAA approved a blanket waiver granting one more year of eligibility to athletes who competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years and would have otherwise exhausted their eligibility during the 2024-25 school year.

Walker fits the bill. He played the the 2021 season at Palomar College. a junior college in San Marcos, California, before competing for Oklahoma in 2022 and ’23 and Wisconsin this season. The NCAA counts his junior college season towards his four years of college eligibility.

The waiver stems from a case brought forward by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. A Tennessee court ruled that counting the two seasons he played at a junior college toward his NCAA eligibility violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Walker, a 5-foot-9, 218-pound Las Vegas native, led the Badgers with 864 yards in 190 carries, a 4.5-yard average, and scored 10 touchdowns.

He begin the season sharing the No. 1 tailback role with Chez Mellusi and blossomed after Mellusi took what proved to be a permanent leave Oct. 3.

As Wisconsin’s primary ball carrier Walker ran for 718 yards in 152 carries, a 4.7-yard average, with nine touchdowns.

His best stretch was a three-game run against Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern when he gained 418 yards in 66 carries, a 6.3-yard average, and scored six times.

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