The Wisconsin Policy Forum released a new study this week as a part-2 data analysis of what could be impacted by federal tariffs.

The report ”Wisconsin's Shifting Import Economy” details the $28.9 billion of goods Wisconsin residents and businesses are buying oversees. Top on the list are machinery, pharmaceuticals, and vehicles as a way to predict inflation, decreases in product availability and the impact on manufacturers.

China, Canada, and Mexico are the United States' biggest trade partners.

Mark Sommerhauser joined WIZM's La Crosse Talk to talk about the studies the Wisconsin Policy Forum releases every week. He states the reports remain nonpartisan and are meant to help guide decisions with data.

The website for the non-profit, membership organization includes a datatool that allows anyone to look at information on a municipality or school district and compare it to others.

Other studies in May include the policies of cell phones in schools by compiling what districts are setting as policies throughout the state. Sommerhauser says this provides data to a recent cell-phones in schools bill that passed the Wisconsin Assembly but has not gone before the Senate.

A study in April shows the number of students that are homeless hit a high mark, likely due to family homelessness but also improved identification of existing needs.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum has a wide tier of memberships from corporate, municipal, county government, schools, colleges and universities, nonprofits, and individuals.