MILWAUKEE — UPDATE: The Milwaukee County Executive's spokesman sent us this statement, furthering his support of the current shared revenue bill: "The County Executive does not see those provisions of the bill interfering with any of our current work to advance race and health equity or foster inclusion within our organization and surrounding community."
Sharing section 47 of SB301 reads: “Unless required to secure federal aid, no political subdivision may discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment on the basis of, race, color, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation in making employment decisions regarding employees of a political subdivision or contracting for public works.”
____________________________________
Milwaukee's mayor and the Milwaukee County executive want to bring the state's shared revenue bill to the finish line, even if that means limiting the city and county's initiatives with the strings attached to the bill by the Republican-controlled state legislature.
The statement by Move Forward Milwaukee reads as follows:
"MOVE FORWARD MILWAUKEE APPLAUDS LEGISLATORS FOR INTRODUCING SOLUTION TO RESOLVE LOCAL FUNDING CRISIS
Bipartisan bill responds to coalition’s call to action for a sales tax to provide local solutions for local funding challenges
MILWAUKEE – Last week, Governor Tony Evers, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced an historic and bipartisan bill to increase shared revenue for Wisconsin communities and provide Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee the authority to enact a sales tax to generate the revenue necessary to fund critical public services. In response, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, GMC President Joel Brennan and MMAC President Tim Sheehy released the following statement on behalf of the Move Forward MKE Coalition:
“This announcement marks a turning point in what has been years of calling on leaders in Madison for a local solution to fund local issues. Our legislators heard us, met with us, listened to their constituents and ultimately agreed that a healthy and stable Milwaukee is in the best interest of the entire state. If passed, this legislation can have a once-in-a-generation impact on the future of Milwaukee – ensuring local governments have the tools they need to invest in our communities, our residents and our businesses to ensure that this region, and our State, continues to grow and thrive. This investment will help our region and state continue to grow and thrive. We call on our legislators to support this legislation and a strong and stable Milwaukee." "
But, at least seven city alders disagree, releasing this statement, which could signal trouble when it comes to making a deal:
"Joint Statement on Sales Tax Agreement from members of the Common Council:
Milele A. Coggs, Mark Chambers, Jr., Russell W. Stamper, II, Larresa Taylor, Andrea M. Pratt, Khalif J. Rainey and Lamont Westmoreland
Milwaukee is the economic engine of Wisconsin, and as such we are deserving of our fair share of the revenue we produce, so it was good to see movement in that direction yesterday. But there is nothing to celebrate with the overreaching, micromanaging, and frankly racist nature of many of the policies embedded in the “groundbreaking” deal.
After the world watched George Floyd beg for his mother, and take his last breaths while a police officer had his knee on his neck, we acted in Milwaukee, a city that by most social indicators is the worst place for Black people to live in the nation. We created the Office of Equity and Inclusion, as well as adopted several resolutions urging the Fire & Police Commission (FPC) to create countless policies that attempt to ensure that situations like what happened to George Floyd do not happen here. The policies the State has embedded into the shared revenue agreement encroach upon local control, and destroy much of the work we have done while handicapping Milwaukee’s ability to address the historic inequities that still exist.
Among the detrimental and troubling policies in the bill are: The city would be prohibited from using the revenue to fund positions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as being prohibited from using race as a factor when issuing contracts; Fire and police policy-making power would move from the independent FPC to the respective chiefs; The city may not use the new money on what one Assembly leader believes is “frivolous things such as street cars and woke diversity and equity initiatives,” and any new spending would require a two-thirds vote of the Council.
These are just a few of the policy changes the State is on the verge of passing as the state aid deal gets approved. We encourage those interested to read the entire bill to prepare themselves for all that is to come. The Assembly bill can be viewed in its entirety at: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/proposals/ab245 [docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
While an increase from the years of stagnation in shared revenue is warranted and appreciated, as is the ability to implement a sales tax, the proposed 2% sales tax does NOT save us from debt.
The city will still be in debt and have to make budgetary cuts regardless. While admittedly the legislation will lessen our debt tremendously, the combination of policy provisions attached is a death blow to our efforts to improve the quality of life for some of our city’s most marginalized citizens.
A deal of this magnitude deserves thorough deliberation and research, and the citizens of Milwaukee need transparency. The recent Steering and Rules Committee meeting where the Mayor instructed his staff not to appear and answer questions of Common Council Members further inhibits citizens from the truth of what is going on. We do not support taking the voice away from the people we represent, and believe they deserve the truth and have a right to weigh in on any decisions being made considering the many implications and damage this may cause this city.
We remain committed to addressing inequities, public safety challenges, and our financial condition with transparency, thorough research, and a level of empathy that the authors of this legislation did not have. As we approach a likely vote about the sales tax, the thoughts and opinions of residents who will bear the burden of the sales tax will be at the forefront. We encourage those with questions or concerns to contact their representative to share their opinion."
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
