
The Research Room is a reprint of Forward Analytics research briefs that appear bimonthly in Wisconsin Counties magazine.
February 2025: Are We Ready for the Next Recession?

Be prepared. That short phrase is the motto of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. While we cannot predict everything that comes our way, we can always do more to prepare for the inevitable.
The same goes for government finances. History tells us the economy will, at some point, move into recession. As it does, consumers will become more cautious and workers will be laid off, resulting in fewer tax dollars to pay for government services. At the same time, demand for some government services will increase. If we want the state government to continue providing public services
with as little disruption as possible, we must be prepared. That includes having sufficient reserves available for these “surprises.”
Read the full February 2025 Wisconsin Counties article here.