UP: Homeowners. Sales of existing homes rose by 16.8% in the state between January and March, better than the national increase of 11.4%. In Dane County, sales were up 19%. Although median prices continue to lag, some are hoping the increase signals better times ahead. "The so-called Great Recession has been long and deep, but we are hopefully now seeing the beginning of an upswing," William Malkasian, president of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, tells the Wisconsin State Journal.
DOWN: Tourism industry. The state releases figures showing that vacation, convention and other visitor spending dropped to $12.1 billion in 2009 - $1 billion less than in 2008.
