Wisconsin's political landscape is heating up as the state prepares for the 2025-27 budget cycle. Governor Tony Evers unveiled his budget proposals, emphasizing investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers plan to start from scratch, setting the stage for potential conflicts over spending priorities. The Wisconsin Policy Forum highlighted the stark contrasts between the two sides, raising concerns about reaching a sustainable budget agreement.

In economic news, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue released its February 2025 forecast, projecting moderate deceleration in personal income and wage growth to slightly above 4% for the year. The state's unemployment rate is expected to peak at 3.5% by the end of 2027, compared to 4.5% nationally. Despite these projections, Wisconsin's economy faces challenges, including persistent inflation and uncertainties surrounding federal trade policies.

The University of Wisconsin system is grappling with a financial mismanagement scandal at UW-Madison. President Jay Rothman expressed disappointment with the employee's lack of judgment and pledged to protect student and public resources. In more positive news, Rothman appointed public policy scholar Michael Ford to lead the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue, aiming to foster civil discourse and civic engagement across the state.

Wisconsin's weather has been a mixed bag, with January 2025 seeing exceptional dryness and below-normal snowfall. However, March brought unexpected winter weather, with a strong spring storm system delivering heavy, wet snow and winds up to 59 mph in parts of the state. Southeastern Wisconsin saw snowfall totals ranging from 1.5 to 6.4 inches on March 16, catching many residents off guard as spring officially arrived.

Environmental concerns persist, with lingering drought conditions in southeastern and northern Wisconsin. The dry conditions, coupled with minimal snow cover, led to an unusually high number of wildfires in January, with 74 fires scorching 264 acres. State officials are closely monitoring the situation as Wisconsin heads into its traditionally driest months.

Looking ahead, Wisconsin residents are bracing for a contentious political season as budget negotiations intensify. The state is also preparing for potential climate-related challenges, with experts predicting more extreme weather events and shifts in agricultural patterns. Additionally, all eyes will be on the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1, which could have significant implications for the state's political landscape.