Mark Sommerhauser
@msommerhauser
Comms + Research @WisPolicyForum. Former newspaper reporter. Husband. Dad. @KCMO native. Trying, often in vain, to see the forest for the trees. Views=my own.
Our deep dive on Wisconsin's new state budget examines the impact of its income tax cuts, its unprecedented shift in how the state gives new funding to schools, and much more.
Our analysis of the 2025-27 state budget finds it will deliver progress on a number of key priorities. It also will draw down most of the state’s $4 billion+ surplus, leaving a much more challenging path for the state to balance its budget in 2027.
This is how websites die. Data from @pewresearch shows that Google users are more likely to end their browsing session entirely after being presented with an AI Overview compared to result pages without one. 🔗 pewresearch.org/short-reads/20…
This analysis finds that 6.4% of housing units in Wisconsin are vacation homes -- the highest share of any state between the Appalachians and the Rockies.
One in 6 Maine homes are vacation homes—which Census defines as "vacant for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use." The lowest density of vacation homes in America is Illinois—one in 125. via @_brianpotter
In a related trend, we found that the share of Wisconsinites’ incomes spent on public education also has fallen below the national average.
"Wisconsin spent nearly 10% less on education per-pupil in 2023 than the national average, a new report found, and residents also spend less of their income on public education." Via @gbpressgazette @nadiaascharf 🧵🧵
“I’m worried that kids could get lost in this,” Perry said. “I could see a kid that grows up with AI not seeing a reason to go to the park or try to make a friend.”
AI, teens say, has become a go-to source for personal advice, emotional support, everyday decision-making and problem-solving. apnews.com/article/ai-com…
"Wisconsin’s per-pupil spending on public school students continues to fall behind the national average, according to (data) analyzed by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. "The most recent figures show the state was nearly 10% below the national average in 2023." Via @WPR 🧵🧵
The top five most promising places for new college grads to find jobs, based on hiring, wages and affordability: Raleigh, Milwaukee, Birmingham, Austin and...Baltimore!
ICYMI: Check out the @WisconsinEye coverage of our Forum Friday event today! It focused on how recent global trade developments, including tariffs, are affecting Wisconsin. wiseye.org/?p=31763
JOIN US at 12:30 pm today for a conversation about recent seismic shifts in global trade -- and how those are rippling throughout Wisconsin's economy.
Our Forum Friday panelists will unpack how we got here -- and where we may be headed in an unpredictable environment. Our panelists will be: -Aaron Annable, Consul, @CanCGChicago -Jackie Carter, Port Director, @PortMilwaukee -@DaleKooyenga, President & CEO, @MMAC_Chamber
In fact, young men with a college degree now have the same unemployment rate as young men who didn’t go to college, completely erasing the graduate employment premium. Whereas a healthy premium remains for young women.
"Although some states are seeing temporary savings on children’s health care and K-12 spending, decreasing fertility rates are likely to eventually translate into declining revenue and an aging workforce." pewtrsts.org/3TmZxcn
"More Wisconsin students are taking dual enrollment courses than before, with 78,703 students taking dual enrollment courses with the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical College, according to a new report from Wisconsin Policy Forum." Via @thecentersquare 🧵🧵
"A new report shows more Wisconsin students are getting a jumpstart on higher education. "The study by the Wisconsin Policy Forum shows participation in dual enrollment programs has doubled in the past decade." @WBAY in Green Bay covers our latest. 🧵🧵
"Dual enrollment programs, which allow students to earn college credit in high school, have seen student participation more than double in the past decade, according to a new report. But access to those programs isn’t always equal." @gbpressgazette covers our latest. 🧵🧵
New newsletter: The death of partying in the USA The latest American Time Use Survey came out last month. I wanted to follow up on @elcush's declaration that Americans need to party more. The new data confirms: America's social crisis is dire. - Between 2003 and 2024, the…