Announcements
NEW IRG ANALYSIS: Wisconsin Lost More Than $400 Million in Tax Revenue in 2023 and $3.5 Billion Over the Past Decade as Residents Move Away
NEW IRG ANALYSIS: Wisconsin Lost More Than $400 Million in Tax Revenue in 2023 and $3.5 Billion Over the Past Decade as Residents Move Away Majority of revenue went to states with flat or no income tax Delafield, Wis. – According to new IRG analysis of IRS data...
New State Agency Audit: Majority of State Agencies Tested by IRG Fail Basic Response Time
New State Agency Audit: Majority of State Agencies Tested by IRG Fail Basic Response Time Governor’s office, Department of Justice, and Secretary of State’s office among the worst offenders Delafield, Wis. — The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the...
IRG Asks Federal Court to Strike Down Wisconsin’s Permanent Gag on Judicial Complaints
IRG Asks Federal Court to Strike Down Wisconsin’s Permanent Gag on Judicial Complaints Motion argues Wisconsin’s permanent confidentiality rules violate First Amendment Delafield, Wis. — The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG), represented by the Wisconsin...
IRG Poll: Inflation Still Rules, Free Markets Still Win, Race Still Open
IRG Poll: Inflation Still Rules, Free Markets Still Win, Race Still Open Free-market economics outpolls every party label tested; independents remain undecided and unenthusiastic Delafield, Wis. — July 30, 2026 — A new statewide poll commissioned by the Institute for...
IRG Sues DPI Over Wisconsin Dells’ $368,885 Secret Meeting
For Immediate Release: June 10, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org IRG Sues DPI Over Wisconsin Dells $368,885 Secret Meeting Lawsuit argues DPI violated open meetings laws, seeks to invalidate DPI's secret meeting that weakened Wisconsin testing...
Divided Government Means Spending Increases, Incremental Victories, and Unaddressed Problems
For Immediate Release: June 4, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org Divided Government Means Spending Increases, Incremental Victories, and Unaddressed Problems Here's what happened in the '25-'26 legislative session, what you missed, and the crazy...
IRG Analysis: New DPI Report Shows Wisconsin Schools Break All-Time Staffing Record
For Immediate Release May 27, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org IRG Analysis: New DPI Report Shows Wisconsin Schools Break All-Time Staffing Record More referenda likely as schools employ the most staff per student in state history Delafield,...
Institute for Reforming Government Releases Cases to Watch Highlighting High-Stakes Litigation Shaping Wisconsin’s Future
For Immediate Release: May 21, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org Institute for Reforming Government Releases Cases to Watch Highlighting High-Stakes Litigation Shaping Wisconsin’s Future New IRG Court Watch report examines the court battles poised to...
IRG Launches Judicial Scorecard, New IRG Court Watch Website
For Immediate Release: May 18, 2026 Contact: Press@ReformingGovernment.org IRG Launches Judicial Scorecard, New IRG Court Watch Website New tools provide a one-stop resource to track Wisconsin justices, judges and court activity Delafield, Wis. – The...
IRG Report: Several Wausau Schools Among Wisconsin’s Very Best
For Immediate Release: May 7, 2026 Contact: Press@ReformingGoverment.org IRG Report: Several Wausau Schools Among Wisconsin’s Very Best Jefferson Elementary, Newman Catholic recognized for student success Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming...
Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates Share Their Vision for the State
Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates Share Their Vision for the State What’s Next for Wisconsin? Candidates for Governor Weigh In As Wisconsin prepares for its next gubernatorial election, voters deserve a clear understanding of where candidates stand on the issues that...
IRG Poll: Wisconsin Voters Want Cheaper Food, Lower Taxes and Smaller Government
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org IRG Poll: Wisconsin Voters Want Cheaper Food, Lower Taxes and Smaller Government A new poll finds continued sweeping, cross-party demand for affordability Delafield, Wis. —...
Oversight Hearing Success: IRG Testifies as GOAT Committee Starts Shining a Light on DPI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org Oversight Hearing Success: IRG Testifies as GOAT Committee Starts Shining a Light on DPI Superintendent Underly skips hearing, sends staff who were not part of the water park conference in...
IRG Files Complaint Over DPI’s Secret Meeting to Lower Testing Standards
IRG Files Complaint Over DPI’s Secret Meeting to Lower Testing Standards Action Could Lead to Court Striking Down DPI’s Lowered Test Score Standards DELAFIELD, Wis. — The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) announced on Tuesday that it filed a complaint to hold...
IRG: DPI Teacher Report Requires Smart Solutions, Not More Spending
IRG: DPI Teacher Report Requires Smart Solutions, Not More Spending Failure to train, staff, and retain better is creating a crisis for schools Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) analyzed the 2024 Educator Preparation Program and Workforce...
New Hire Brings State Government and Oversight Expertise
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org New Hire Brings State Government and Oversight Expertise Maryjane Behm will immediately help reform and accountability efforts at IRG Action and IRG Delafield, Wis. – Momentum at the...
NEW: Conversations with Trump Voters Who Skipped Wisconsin’s 2022 Governor’s Race
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org & dcoulson@citizensforfreeenterprise.com NEW: Conversations with Trump Voters Who Skipped Wisconsin's 2022 Governor's Race A qualitative report from the Institute for Reforming Government...
NEW: WHY THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT MATTERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2026 Contact: press@reforminggovernment.org NEW: WHY THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT MATTERS Delafield, WI — The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) announced the release of a comprehensive Court Watch Spring Report on Thursday,...
WI Lawmakers Should Investigate DPI’s Secret $369K Resort Retreat, IRG Report Explains
For Immediate Release: March 16, 2026 Contact: Press@ReformingGoverment.org WI Lawmakers Should Investigate DPI's Secret $369K Resort Retreat, IRG Report Explains New report raises transparency concerns surrounding Forward Exam standard-setting meeting...
IRG: Public School Enrollment Plummets, Forcing Tough District Decisions
IRG: Public School Enrollment Plummets, Forcing Tough District Decisions Declining enrollment darkens otherwise brightening school data Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) analyzed recent school data produced by the Department of Public...
IRG Releases School Referenda Transparency Tool for Taxpayers
IRG Releases School Referenda Transparency Tool for Taxpayers New resource helps Wisconsin voters understand local school referenda Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released an online school referendum transparency tool on Tuesday to help...
IRG Releases “Wisconsin Administrative Reform Toolbox” as Playbook for States Seeking to Replicate Wisconsin’s Model
IRG Releases “Wisconsin Administrative Reform Toolbox” as Playbook for States Seeking to Replicate Wisconsin’s Model Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released its “Wisconsin Administrative Reform Toolbox” on Monday, a practical handbook...
Government in the Shadows: Gov. Evers, AG Kaul, DPI and Other Officials Failing to Comply with Public Records Law
Government in the Shadows: Gov. Evers, AG Kaul, DPI and Other Officials Failing to Comply with Public Records Law IRG has several outstanding requests that have been pending for months Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) has waited over...
IRG: DPI’s Refusal to Explain $368,885 Secret Waterpark Meeting Risks Invalidation of New Exam Standards
IRG: DPI’s Refusal to Explain $368,885 Secret Waterpark Meeting Risks Invalidation of New Exam Standards 3 Questions The Legislature Needs DPI to Immediately Answer Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government is raising new questions surrounding the...
IRG Oversight Leads to Lawmakers Pausing $1,000,000 for DPI
For Immediate Release: February 3, 2026 Contact: Press@ReformingGoverment.org IRG Oversight Leads to Lawmakers Pausing $1,000,000 for DPI Delafield, Wis. – Last week, the Institute for Reforming Government sent a demand letter to help the Dairyland...
IRG: Wisconsin School Choice Soars During National School Choice Week
IRG: Wisconsin School Choice Soars During National School Choice Week 18 schools join Parental Choice Program for the first time Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the following statement celebrating the growing number of Wisconsin...
IRG Issues Demand Letter to DPI Over Year-Long Delay on Dairyland Sentinel’s Public Records Request
IRG Issues Demand Letter to DPI Over Year-Long Delay on Dairyland Sentinel's Public Records Request Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) sent a formal demand letter to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on Thursday seeking...
NEW: Findings from IRG Listening Tour and new Poll— a ground-level look at the issues Wisconsinites care about most
NEW: Findings from IRG Listening Tour and New Poll— a ground-level look at the issues Wisconsinites care about most Key lessons and insights gathered from four months of listening across Wisconsin. Delafield, Wis. – What common challenges are on Wisconsinites’ minds...
Empty Schools, Empty Wallets: How ESSER Pandemic Aid Led to More School Referenda
Empty Schools, Empty Wallets: How ESSER Pandemic Aid Led to More School Referenda New IRG analysis reveals hiring sprees and poor financial decisions as Wisconsin schools fall behind national leaders Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government released a...
Court Watch: Wisconsin Supreme Court Reverses, Consolidates Power Through New Court Management Order
Court Watch: Wisconsin Supreme Court Reverses, Consolidates Power Through New Court Management Order Progressive majority reshapes internal court governance to cement its control of the judicial branch Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government’s Court...
IRG Expands Oversight and Legal Work with Hire of Kevin Zielinski as Associate Counsel
Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) announced that Kevin Zielinski has joined the organization as Associate Counsel for Legal Reform & Oversight, expanding the IRG team to 9.5 employees. WHY IT MATTERS: In this role, Kevin will support...
DPI Rates 0 Districts 1 Star, Half of All Schools 4 or 5 Stars on New School Report Cards
DPI Rates 0 Districts 1 Star, Half of All Schools 4 or 5 Stars on New School Report Cards DPI’s rankings make report cards mostly meaningless Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the following statement following the release of 2025...
IRG Court Watch: Options for Structural Reforms for our Courts
IRG Court Watch: Options for Structural Reforms for our Courts Voters Open to Reform after Multi-Million Dollar, Partisan Judicial Elections Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government’s (IRG)‘s Court Watch initiative released a report, Structural Reform...
IRG CIO Submits Request to DPI Seeking Teacher Licensing and Misconduct Scandal Public Records
Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government’s (IRG) Center for Investigative Oversight (CIO) submitted a public records request to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), seeking to uncover details surrounding the Department’s handling of...
IRG: New School Choice Enrollment Numbers Show Growth Slowing Statewide
IRG: New School Choice Enrollment Numbers Show Growth Slowing Statewide Baby bust rears its head in school enrollment numbers Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the following statement following the Department of Public...
IRG Report: Federal Bureaucrats Are Quietly Shaping Wisconsin Policy
IRG Report: Federal Bureaucrats Are Quietly Shaping Wisconsin Policy Guidance documents bypass legislature and voters, change state policy Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released a new report on Wednesday detailing how federal...
Test Scores Changes Backfire on Education Establishment
Test Scores Changes Backfire on Education Establishment Test score changes display widening gaps Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the following statement following the release of Forward Exam and ACT test scores on Thursday...
IRG: The Real State of Education
IRG: The Real State of Education Wisconsin Students are Left Behind Despite Record Investment in Schools Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the following statement outlining the real State of Education in Wisconsin ahead of...
IRG Court Watch Celebrates Constitution Day
Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the following statement honoring Constitution Day and the document that has guided our nation with the principles of limited government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility for more...
WILL & IRG File Suit to Allow IRG to Disclose Request for Investigation Brought Against Judge
WILL & IRG File Suit to Allow IRG to Disclose Request for Investigation Brought Against Judge Wisconsin Law Bars Release of Denied Requests, Violates First Amendment The News: The Institute for Reforming Government, represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law...