Sifting and Winnowing held its tenth annual Wisconsin Ideas Conference April 11 in the State Capitol. Chairwoman Kate Blumenfeld gave the introductory address emphasizing the importance of this conference for changing policy and sparking discussion.
“This is a space for ideas, dialogue and where we come together not because we all agree, but because we are willing to listen, to learn and to engage,” Blumenfeld said.
Over 20 students presented Wisconsin state policies or projects and gave recommendations to improve current issues.
UW junior Elise Fischer, who studies computer science, demonstrated the complications of data centers on the environment and nearby communities.
Using the Microsoft data center development in Mt. Pleasant as an example, Fischer said these centers can use 2.8 million gallons of water per year to run. The peak daily water use of this center would be equivalent to 26 new households moving to the neighborhood.
Fischer recommended larger customer classes for data centers — meaning these centers would hold more accountability and protect smaller customers from paying construction costs — as well as more transparency when reporting water and electricity use.
Fischer also proposed community benefit agreements — legally binding contracts between community groups and developers that specify the benefits developers will provide.
Students Jake Leismer and Caden Rohadfox advocated for the pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds in Wisconsin — allowing them easier access to voting once they turn 18.
Though Wisconsin is first in the country for highest youth voter turnout, there is still a significantly lower turnout compared to the general electorate and voters over 65 years of age, Rohadfox said.
This policy is low-cost, with a significant benefit, according to Lesimer and Rohadfox. Pre-registered individuals are 8% more likely to vote compared to their peers, Leismer said.
Along with the proposed policy, Leismer and Rohadfox recommend pre-registration drives in high schools and an emphasis on civic education.
“Voting is a civic duty and we want to make sure that kids understand that it is a civic duty and that they have the tools and support necessary to interact with this process,” Leismer said.
UW sophomore Seth Rosenman, who studies public policy and political science, presented an idea for reducing gun violence that does not focus on the arms themselves, but rather the ammunition.
Guns are durable and long-lasting but ammunition is consumable and needs to be replaced over time, Rosenman said.
“If you want to influence behavior over time, ammunition is where the leverage is,” Rosenman said.
It is important that these policies be implemented at a federal level, because state-based policies can easily be evaded by traveling out of Wisconsin, Rosenman said.
Instead of an 11% tax applied to ammunition, Rosenman recommended a 400% tax on all calibers and bullets to deter large scale acquisition.
Rosenman also proposed a tiered tax system, where taxes are higher on calibers linked to violent crimes or calibers compatible with concealed handguns used in murders.
Along with tax implementations, Rosenman said Wisconsin should require permits to purchase ammunition, report bulk purchasing and require ammunition serialization — marking bullets sold and recording purchaser information in order to easily identify the bullets and user in the case of a crime.
Rosenman recognized that the proposal will raise prices on lawful gun users but is meant to meaningfully shift policies to prevent the country’s persistent gun violence problem.
“This policy will impact the economics of gun use and that’s not an unintended consequence — that’s a tradeoff,” Rosenman said.
