Key takeaways
- Wisconsin state government spent $66.3 billion in fiscal 2024, the 17th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the State Bureau of Procurement, and vendors register and find bids in VendorNet.
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028-29 budget proposal usually comes in January or February.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 4 and is scheduled to adjourn Dec. 31.
- A new governor, David Crowley, takes office Jan. 4, 2027.
Wisconsin government at a glance
| Fact | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $66.3 billion (17th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028-29 · proposal usually in January or February |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 4 to Dec. 31 (362 days) |
| Governor-elect | David Crowley, takes office Jan. 4, 2027 |
| Central procurement office | State Bureau of Procurement |
| Bid and vendor portal | VendorNet |
| State CIO | Trina Zanow, Chief Information Officer |
| Local governments | 3,062 total, including 703 special districts and 437 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 81 public power utilities and 24 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 22,418 (end of 2023) |
How Wisconsin buys
- Central purchasing. The State Bureau of Procurement handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. VendorNet is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Wisconsin vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Wisconsin's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028-29.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released in January or February. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 4 and is scheduled to adjourn Dec. 31. Meets throughout the year. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
- New administration. Governor-elect David Crowley takes office Jan. 4, 2027. New administrations often bring new agency leaders and priorities; see new governors in 2027.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Trina Zanow, Chief Information Officer, leads the Department of Administration, Division of Enterprise Technology. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts 1 executive order, no laws and 1 agency policy on government AI use, plus an AI office or council. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Wisconsin
The biggest Wisconsin entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | City | 562,407 residents (2025) | 31 of 100 largest cities |
| Madison | City | 286,233 residents (2025) | 77 of 100 largest cities |
| Milwaukee County | County | 924,216 residents (2025) | 63 of 100 largest counties |
| Milwaukee | School district | 69,115 students (fall 2021) | 53 of 100 largest districts |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Public university | 51,044 students (fall 2024) | 24 of 40 largest |
| Milwaukee County | Transit agency | 22,735,000 trips (2023) | 36 of 50 largest |
| General Mitchell International | Airport | 2,889,040 passengers boarded (2025) | 58 of 100 busiest |
| Dane County Regional/Truax Field | Airport | 1,226,462 passengers boarded (2025) | 98 of 100 busiest |
| Milwaukee Water Works | Water utility | 626,000 people served | 52 of 208 largest |
| Madison Water Utility | Water utility | 272,000 people served | 137 of 208 largest |
| Milwaukee (WI) Police | Police department | 1,879 sworn officers (2016) | 20 of 50 largest |
| Dane County Sheriff's Office | Sheriff's office | 446 sworn personnel (2016) | 45 of 50 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 3,062 local governments. That includes 703 special districts and 437 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 81 public power utilities and 24 electric cooperatives serve 596,205 customers, 19% of the state. See Wisconsin utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Wisconsin buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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