Wisconsin prices and inflation

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Wisconsin’s median rent. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Housing, homelessness, and indigence Grants to facilitate the independent living of homeless persons Under current law, the Department of Administration provides housing grants to counties, municipalities, community action agencies, and private organizations for the purpose of providing housing and associated supportive services to homeless individuals and families in order to facilitate the movement of homeless persons to independent living. This bill provides an additional $5,000,000 in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to fund that grant program. Emergency rental assistance grants The bill creates an emergency rental assistance program under which DOA awards grants to provide tenant-based rental assistance to individuals and families who have suffered an economic hardship and whose annual household income does not exceed 80 percent of the median household income for the county in which the individual or family resides. The bill appropriates $10,000,000 for the program in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium. Grants to defray housing costs The bill increases funding for DOA to award grants to persons or families of low or moderate income to defray housing costs. The bill provides an additional $220,000 in each fiscal year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium for that purpose. Duties of the Interagency Council on Homelessness The bill requires the Interagency Council on Homelessness to do all of the following every two years: 1. Identify ways in which DOA and other state agencies specified in the bill and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority can increase access to services for homeless individuals and families, including homeless children and youths as defined under federal law. 2. Advise each of the state agencies specified in the bill and WHEDA to revise any policy or

Wages and cash benefits can be components of household money income. Census income is measured before taxes, so tax relief alone is not an increase in this statistic; the provision does not determine the statewide median. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Currently, the state minimum wage law requires that employers pay the applicable minimum wage set in statute to their employees. Under that law, the current minimum wage for most employees is $7.25 per hour. This bill raises the minimum wage for most employees to $15 per hour three months after the effective date of the bill. Beginning one year after the bill’s effective date, the Department of Workforce Development is required to annually revise the minimum wage established under the bill by determining the percentage difference between the consumer price index for the preceding year and the consumer price index for the year before the preceding year, adjusting the minimum wage then in effect by that percentage difference, and rounding that result to the nearest multiple of five cents. However, DWD is not required to revise the general minimum wage if the consumer price index for the preceding year has not increased over the consumer price index for the year before the preceding year. DWD is required to publish the revised minimum wage in the Wisconsin Administrative Register and on DWD’s website. The bill also repeals 1) provisions establishing a separate, lower minimum wage for tipped employees; 2) a provision requiring DWD to promulgate rules governing the counting of tips or similar gratuities toward payment of the minimum wage; 3) provisions setting specific meal and lodging allowances; and 4) provisions establishing minimum wages for minor employees, opportunity employees, agricultural employees, and others. The bill requires DWD to establish by rule the minimum wage for those employees. Finally, current law prohibits a city, village, town, or county from enacting and administering an ordinance establishing a minimum wage. The bill eliminates that prohibition.

The proposed repeal directly concerns gasoline pricing rules. It did not become law. Existing rules use statutory cost calculations and exceptions, rather than guaranteeing a fixed profit on every sale; neither the proposal nor the current rule establishes an effect on EIA’s 15-state Midwest average.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Midwest regular gasoline price. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

This bill repeals the Unfair Sales Act, also known as the “minimum markup” law. This state's Unfair Sales Act 1) prohibits below-cost sales of any merchandise, if the sale is intended to induce the purchase of other merchandise or divert trade unfairly from a competitor; and 2) requires a “minimum markup” (a specified amount over the cost of the merchandise to the seller) to be added to sales of motor vehicle fuel, tobacco products, fermented malt beverages, liquor, or wine. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Wisconsin’s median rent. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Housing, homelessness, and indigence 1. Grants to facilitate the independent living of homeless persons Under current law, the Department of Administration provides housing grants to counties, municipalities, community action agencies, and private organizations for the purpose of providing housing and associated supportive services to homeless individuals and families in order to facilitate the movement of homeless persons to independent living. This bill provides an additional $5,000,000 in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium to fund that grant program. 2. Emergency rental assistance grants The bill creates an emergency rental assistance program under which DOA awards grants to provide tenant-based rental assistance to individuals and families who have suffered an economic hardship and whose annual household income does not exceed 80 percent of the median household income for the county in which the individual or family resides. The bill appropriates $10,000,000 for the program in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium. 3. Grants to defray housing costs The bill increases funding for DOA to award grants to persons or families of low or moderate income to defray housing costs. The bill provides an additional $220,000 in each fiscal year of the 2023-25 fiscal biennium for that purpose. 4. Duties of the Interagency Council on Homelessness The bill requires the Interagency Council on Homelessness to do all of the following every two years: 1. Identify ways in which DOA and other state agencies specified in the bill and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority can increase access to services for homeless individuals and families, including homeless children and youths as defined under federal law. 2. Advise each of the state agencies specified in the bill and WHEDA to revise a

Wages and cash benefits can be components of household money income. Census income is measured before taxes, so tax relief alone is not an increase in this statistic; the provision does not determine the statewide median. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Currently, the state minimum wage law requires that employers pay the applicable minimum wage set in statute to their employees. Under that law, the current minimum wage for most employees is $7.25 per hour. This bill raises the minimum wage for most employees to $10.85 per hour on the effective date of the bill and $15 per hour one year after the effective date of the bill. Beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to annually revise the minimum wage established under the bill by determining the percentage difference between the consumer price index for the preceding year and the consumer price index for the year before the preceding year, adjusting the minimum wage then in effect by that percentage difference, and rounding that result to the nearest multiple of five cents. DWD, however, is not required to revise the general minimum wage if the consumer price index for the preceding year has not increased over the consumer price index for the year before the preceding year. DWD is required to publish the revised minimum wage in the Wisconsin Administrative Register and on DWD's website. The bill also repeals 1) provisions establishing a separate, lower minimum wage for tipped employees; 2) a provision that requires DWD to promulgate rules governing the counting of tips or similar gratuities toward payment of the minimum wage; 3) provisions setting specific meal and lodging allowances; and 4) provisions establishing minimum wages for minor employees, opportunity employees, agricultural employees, and others and instead requires DWD to establish the minimum wage for those employees by rule. Finally, current law prohibits a city, village, town, or county from enacting and administering an ordinance estab

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Wisconsin’s median rent. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Housing, homelessness, and indigence 1. Grants to facilitate the independent living of homeless persons Under current law, the Department of Administration provides housing grants to counties, municipalities, community action agencies, and private organizations for the purpose of providing housing and associated supportive services to homeless individuals and families in order to facilitate the movement of homeless persons to independent living. This bill provides an additional $5,000,000 in the 2021-23 fiscal biennium to fund that grant program. 2. Rental assistance grants The bill creates a rental assistance program under which DOA awards grants to provide tenant-based rental assistance to individuals and families who have suffered an economic hardship and whose annual household income does not exceed 80 percent of the median household income for the county in which the individual or family resides. The bill appropriates $10,000,000 for the program in the 2021-23 fiscal biennium. 3. Grants to defray housing costs The bill increases funding for DOA to award grants to persons or families of low or moderate income to defray housing costs. The bill provides an additional $220,000 in each fiscal year of the 2021-23 fiscal biennium for that purpose. 4. Duties of the Interagency Council on Homelessness The bill requires the Interagency Council on Homelessness to do all of the following every two years: 1. Identify ways in which DOA and other state agencies specified in the bill and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority can increase access to services for homeless individuals and families, including homeless children and youths as defined under federal law. 2. Advise each of the state agencies specified in the bill and WHEDA to revise any policy or practice

Wages and cash benefits can be components of household money income. Census income is measured before taxes, so tax relief alone is not an increase in this statistic; the provision does not determine the statewide median. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Currently, the state minimum wage law requires that employers pay the applicable minimum wage set in statute to their employees. Under that law, the current minimum wage for most employees is $7.25 per hour. This bill raises the minimum wage for most employees to $10.15 per hour on the effective date of the bill and $15 per hour one year after the effective date of the bill. Beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to annually revise the minimum wage established under the bill by determining the percentage difference between the consumer price index for the preceding year and the consumer price index for the year before the preceding year, adjusting the minimum wage then in effect by that percentage difference, and rounding that result to the nearest multiple of five cents. DWD, however, is not required to revise the general minimum wage if the consumer price index for the preceding year has not increased over the consumer price index for the year before the preceding year. DWD is required to publish the revised minimum wage in the Wisconsin Administrative Register and on DWD's Internet site. The bill also repeals 1) provisions establishing a separate, lower minimum wage for tipped employees; 2) a provision that requires DWD to promulgate rules governing the counting of tips or similar gratuities toward payment of the minimum wage; 3) provisions setting specific meal and lodging allowances; and 4) provisions establishing minimum wages for minor employees, opportunity employees, agricultural employees, and others and instead requires DWD to establish the minimum wage for those employees by rule. Finally, current law prohibits a city, village, town, or county from enacting and administering an ordinance

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Wisconsin’s median rent. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

or moderate income to defray housing costs. The bill provides an additional $220,000 in each fiscal year of the 2019-21 fiscal biennium for that purpose. This bill requires the Interagency Council on Homelessness to do all of the following every two years: 1. Review all of the state's housing and homelessness-related programs. 2. Identify ways in which DOA and other state agencies specified in the bill and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority can increase access to services for homeless individuals and families, including homeless children and youths as defined under federal law. 3. Advise each of the state agencies specified in the bill and WHEDA to revise any policy or practice that the council determines impedes homeless individuals and families from obtaining services. This bill requires WHEDA to issue up to $1,000,000 in bonds to make grants directly to individuals and families or to one or more local housing authorities for the purpose of providing rent assistance to individuals and families who are in danger of being evicted. This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to annually issue a report to the legislature on the number of homeless children and youths in the public schools of this state. Under the bill, “homeless children and youths” is defined by reference to federal law providing homeless assistance. This bill requires WHEDA to annually issue a report to the legislature on the number of households with worst case housing needs in this state. “Households with worst case housing needs” is defined in a manner consistent with that used by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The report must include data and demographic information on these households, analysis of the impediments to obtaining affordable hou

Wages and cash benefits can be components of household money income. Census income is measured before taxes, so tax relief alone is not an increase in this statistic; the provision does not determine the statewide median. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

EMPLOYMENT This bill makes changes regarding the amount of unemployment insurance benefits that a claimant may receive in a given week, as follows: Increasing maximum weekly unemployment benefits Under current law, a person who qualifies for unemployment insurance receives a weekly benefit rate equal to a percentage of that person’s past earnings, but the weekly benefit rate is capped at $370. This bill changes the maximum weekly benefit rate in the following ways: 1. For benefits paid for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 4, 2026, but before January 3, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit rate is capped at $497. 2. For benefits paid for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 3, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit rate is increased based upon the change in the consumer price index and is then increased on the same basis annually thereafter. Increasing unemployment insurance benefit wage cap Under current law, a person who qualifies for unemployment insurance is ineligible to receive any UI benefits for a week if the person receives or will receive wages or certain other earnings totalling more than $500 (wage cap). This bill changes the wage cap in the following ways: 1. For weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 4, 2026, but before January 3, 2027, the wage cap is increased to $672. 2. For weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 3, 2027, the wage cap is increased based upon the change in the consumer price index and is then increased on the same basis annually thereafter.

The introduced bill would let gasoline and diesel retailers claim a refund of 0.5% of state fuel tax paid to compensate for shrinkage or evaporation. The gasoline refund is the connection to this regional gasoline-price fact; a separate diesel-supplier allowance is outside that component. The displayed price is EIA’s 15-state Midwest regional proxy. Wisconsin gasoline taxes, supply, or sales rules concern one component and do not set pump prices across the region. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the fact’s measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Wisconsin evidence context: Midwest regular gasoline price. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Administrative allowance of the motor vehicle fuel tax Current law allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain as an administrative allowance 1.35 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of gasoline in this state. This bill allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain the same administrative allowance for the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of diesel fuel in this state. Retailer refund for motor vehicle fuel evaporation The bill allows a retailer who sells gasoline, diesel fuel, or both (motor vehicle fuel) in this state to claim a refund equal to 0.5 percent of the state motor vehicle fuel tax paid on the retailer’s purchase of the motor vehicle fuel to compensate for motor vehicle fuel stored on site that is lost by shrinkage or evaporation. A claim for a refund under the bill must be made to the Department of Revenue no later than 12 months after the date on which the retailer purchased the motor vehicle fuel and must be accompanied with invoices prepared by the motor vehicle fuel supplier or a list of purchases prepared by the retailer. Prior to 2019, the state provided such refunds to compensate gasoline retailers for shrinkage and evaporation losses.