Wisconsin’s Public Employees: A Foundation for Quality of Life in the State

Wisconsin's budget deficit is not caused by public-sector workers' compensation but stems from a sharp decline in revenue due, driven by the housing bubble and Wall Street's financial crimes. Public employees, including teachers and essential workers, are under-compensated compared to their private-sector counterparts, especially those with higher education levels. The state's public workforce is lean and has remained stable over decades, with fewer public employees per capita than national and regional averages. Addressing the deficit requires focusing on economic recovery and revenue solutions rather than targeting public workers, who are vital to Wisconsin's quality of life.