The shopping malls have been pretty full this holiday season, and that's what state government leaders like to see. Not necessarily because the Revenue Department and Governor are in the Christmas mood, but because more spending on presents generates more sales tax collections.
Todd Berry, with the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, says the state is traditionally very interested in the holiday shopping season because it's a very significant time of year for tax collections.
Tax collections from holiday spending will play a big role in a report describing Wisconsin's fiscal health, which is due out after the first of the year.