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Recently, the Journal Sentinel reported that Milwaukee and Wisconsin saw some of the fastest-rising rent prices in the country, having a median price rise 5.3% from March 2023 to 2024.

In fact, the issue unifies all Wisconsinites — Democrats, Republicans and independents alike. It ranks at the top of issues residents rated as most significant problems they face. And while it is a common problem for all, inflation has an outsized impact on the young, according to the “WisconSays” survey of nearly 4,000 residents conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Survey Center in partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Unsurprisingly, inflation ranks as the top concern, with 63% of the respondents in the new WisconSays/La Follette survey believing it is quite a problem or an extremely big problem. Furthermore, the survey – taken in summer/fall 2023 – indicates that inflation was perceived as particularly difficult for households most financially challenged: 72% of those “financially much worse off” considered inflation in Wisconsin “an extremely big problem.”

Through the representative WisconSays/La Follette Survey launched last year, we’ve been able to ask questions related to the issues on the minds of Wisconsin residents. Taxes are a big issue for many, but federal taxes are top of mind.

La Follette Professor J. Michael Collins presented initial findings from his current work to understand how policy impacts financial decision-making. Collins used a new dataset from an effort at UW–Madison’s Survey Center called WisconSays, which regularly surveys a panel of nearly 4,000 Wisconsinites on how they are feeling about a range of public policy issues.

A study conducted by the UW Survey Center found 17% of state residents would support a sandhill crane hunting season while 48% oppose the idea. State law currently protects cranes from hunting.

Going into 2024, financial resolutions were likely popular across the state. After several years of inflation, finances remain a major concern for Wisconsinites. This comes from a new survey effort at UW-Madison’s Survey Center called WisconSays, which is a new panel of nearly 4,000 people answering regular survey questions.

The La Follette School of Public Affairs and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel are collaborating to share insights on how Wisconsinites feel about important policy topics through a yearlong project called the Main Street Agenda.