(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s new state budget may not help with the top issue for voters in the state.
The Institute for Reforming Governor released the results of a new poll that says wasteful state spending is the number one issue for voters in the state.
“Eight-one percent of all voters (67% Dems, 94% GOP, 85% Independents) said cutting wasteful state spending was more important than the 14% who choose increasing state tax revenue,” IRG said in the poll.
The poll added that 50% of Wisconsin voters disapprove of state spending growth over time, compared to 38% who approve.
The new state budget adds more than $12.5 billion in new spending, and comes with a $111 billion, two-year price tag.
IRG’s poll said a lot of voters would have liked to have gone the opposite way.
65% of all voters (46% Democrats, 83% GOP, 60% Independents) favored cutting
state spending
59% all voters (40% Democrats, 78% GOP, 56% Independents) favored freezing
state spending
70% all voters (59% Democrats, 81% GOP, 65% Independents) favored limiting
state spending increases to inflation plus increase in population
The poll says health care is the second most important issue for Wisconsin voters.
“When it comes to health care, the biggest concerns are the high cost of health care and high cost of insurance,” pollsters said.
The poll notes that 22% of all voters in the state say health care is the top priority.
While Gov. Tony Evers couldn’t get his long-sought after Medicaid expansion, lawmakers did agree to a hospital assessment tax that will be used to supercharge Medicaid reimbursement in Wisconsin.
IRG says the poll was conducted in cooperation with Napolitan News Service and Scott Rasmussen in 2025, with the focus in this poll on what Wisconsinites want to see from policymakers.
