A new report from Forward Analytics, Silent Killer: The Fentanyl Epidemic in Wisconsin, shows our state in the middle of an epidemic of drug overdose deaths driven largely by illegal fentanyl. “Like the nation, Wisconsin is experiencing a true crisis of drug overdoses, particularly fatal ones due to fentanyl,” said Forward Analytics Director Dale Knapp, who […]

A new report from Forward Analytics, “Rethinking Revenues: A National Perspective on Funding Counties,” highlights some of the fiscal challenges faced by Wisconsin’s 72 counties due to a long-term shift in state spending priorities, state budget cuts, strict property tax limits, and few local revenue options — challenges that remain despite an influx of federal […]

In the latest Forward Analytics report, “The Rural Challenge: Depopulation and Its Economic Consequences,” it was reported that from 2010-2018, two thirds of rural counties in Wisconsin lost population. That percentage was up from 44% during 2000-10, and in rural counties across the nation, a similar pattern has emerged. Join us for this #LocalGovMatters 2.0 podcast, […]

In accordance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, if you plan to fly within the United States, visit a military base or any other federal buildings, the Department of Homeland Security will require identification that is REAL ID compliant (or show another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport) beginning October 1, 2020. The Wisconsin […]

Join us for this episode of #LocalGovMatters, where we discuss “Revitalizing Wisconsin’s Downtowns” with Errin Welty, Downtown Development Program Manager with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). As our guest says, downtowns are not competing with the town next door anymore, they’re competing with a couch and Netflix. In our conversation with Errin, we learn […]

Join #LocalGovMatters as we sit down with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Craig Thompson to discuss the Multimodal Supplement Grant Program (MLS), as well as take a 10,000 foot view of the state of transportation here in Wisconsin. We discuss the breadth of issues WisDOT handles every day, from the DMV to the State […]

It’s a new year and an election year at that….Join Wisconsin Counties Association Executive Director Mark O’Connell and League of Wisconsin Municipalities Executive Director Jerry Deschane as they have a lively conversation with co-hosts Michelle Thompson and Gail Sumi about what lies ahead in 2020 on the legislative front in this inaugural episode of LocalGovMatters […]

LocalGovMatters, the podcast about all things local government, is launching with new episodes in 2020. Brought to you in partnership by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, LocalGovMatters 2.0 will provide the background, the stories and even some inside baseball on the local impact of state legislation and how local government […]