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Milwaukee County employees and tax payers are under assault again.
There is a resolution that the Personnel Committee will be discussing at their next meeting, which is designed to eliminate the current defined benefit pension plan and replace it with a defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k). This is a trend that is being carried out across the nation as conservative, corporate-friendly politicians work to benefit their campaign contributors. These dishonest politicians cite the poor economy and artificially inflated numbers to provide their corrupted rationale for this money grab.
But such plans have proved to be disasters in the private sectors, and in the public sector, would not only cause irreparable harm to employees, but also to the tax payers.
For the employees, this could take away any economic security that they had given up wages over the decades to ensure. In an article written by Lee A. Saunders, he points out the problems that private sector workers have had as the economy collapsed versus the relative stability of the current pension plans:
The economy’s collapse in 2008-2009 took its toll on everyone’s retirement savings. But our nation’s public pension systems, which were fully funded before the crash, continue their robust recovery earning their highest returns in decades in fiscal year 2011. Pensions continue to provide irreplaceable retirement security to millions of Americans who provide public services. Yet, the corporate-backed opponents of pensions are creating a myth that the system is falling apart and that state and local governments are going bankrupt because of the $19,000 pensions sanitation workers are earning.
That is simply not true. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the size of the projected state and local government pension funding shortfalls is manageable. In most states, the total shortfall for the pension funds is less than 0.2 percent of projected gross state product during the next 30 years. Even in states with the largest shortfalls, the gap is less than 0.5 percent of projected state product during that period. And, because pension payments are made over generations of workers, funding can remain stable over long periods, and funding challenges managed over decade long periods, despite short-term economic setbacks. These are facts that the opponents of public pensions simply ignore, as they seek to punish workers for Wall Street’s psychopathic behavior.
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While pension funds face manageable challenges, the same cannot be said for the failed 401(k) system that Wall Street and the corporate chieftains have forced onto private sector workers. After three decades of experience with it, we know 401(k)s do not meet the one true test of effectiveness: economic security in retirement. Yet instead of devoting their energies to fixing the system they foisted on workers, the right-wing, pension heretics are intent on destroying the retirement security of the remaining Americans who have it.
But not only is it very bad news for the workers, it is equally bad news for the tax payers, since defined contribution plans are so much less inefficient that they are twice as expensive:
And governments are concerned about delivering on the promises that they have made to their citizens and to their employees as tax revenues shrink amid a weakening economy. In this environment, some have proposed replacing traditional defined benefit (DB) pensions with 401(k)-type defined contribution (DC) retirement savings plans in an effort to save money.
But decision-makers would be wise to look before they leap. To deliver the same level of retirement benefits, a DB plan can do the job at almost half the cost of a DC plan. Hence, DB plans should remain an integral part of retirement income security in an increasingly uncertain world because they offer employers and employees the best bang for the buck.
So if it is detrimental to the employees and costs twice as much, why would any honest politician even suggest it? Well, an honest politician wouldn’t, but bad  ones would be behind it enthusiastically.
The three supervisors who want to put corporate interests before those of their workers or the tax payers are Joe Sanfelippo, Joe Rice and Paul Cesarz.
Each are bad news in their own right, and have really shown themselves to be less than stellar leaders for the county.
Joe Rice, who for years wanted to shrink the county board, had a hissy fit when they finally did so and it turned out to be his seat that was removed. Apparently he is one of those politicians that feel we all should sacrifice, as long as they aren’t part of the sacrificing part.
Paul Cesarz, who always complains about how the county is supposedly wasting money, has been collecting his full salary, more than $50,ooo, without even showing his face at the courthouse as he worked as a pharmacist at a local Walgreens. Furthermore, Cesarz has shown himself to be incapable of handling his own finances, much less the county’s.
And it has just come out that both Rice and Cesarz are tied in with some possible corrupt pay-for-play scheme concocted by Scott Walker and his campaign.
Sanfelippo is no prize either. He spends a great deal of his time at his cab company and government business had to be delayed because he was more concerned with his private business than with the people’s business.
In the most recent issue of Milwaukee Magazine, there is an investigative report by Marie Rohde that shows that Sanfelippo’s taxi cab company, along with all sorts of unethical treatment of his drivers, made $1.2 million from a contract with the county. It should be noted that it was only in the 2012 budget adoption hearing that Sanfelippo abstained from voting on these contracts, and for a while was even the chair of the committee that made these policy decisions.
It is obvious that even though Scott Walker is no longer county executive, his legacy of corruption lives on with his friends on the county board.
As that the resolution to change over the pension system was brought forth by these three supervisors of questionable repute, would cause needless harm to the workers and be an irresponsible use of tax payer dollars, there is no way it should have even been brought forth, much less be allowed to pass.
It is nothing more than another dishonest money grab from those that would turn Milwaukee County into a plutocracy.
From the office of the county executive:
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele announced Thursday that the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office will be relocating to 6419 W. Greenfield Avenue in West Allis on Monday, January 16.
The new location will continue to provide the services that veterans have come to expect including The Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic, DWD Office of Veterans Services and Bureau of Apprenticeships, Veterans Initiative for Paternity and Support, and Department of Human Services (Foodshare/Medical Assistance Applications) as well as a full range of assistance to veterans and their families in applying for state and federal veterans benefits.
The Veterans Service Office was previously housed at the Zablocki VA Medical Center, but that space is now needed by the Medical Center. The terms of the lease with the VA stated that they could claim the space if needed for medical reasons, and currently the Medical Center is experiencing a severe shortage of available space for medical services.
Free parking is available both on and off the street and the new location is wheelchair accessible. The Veterans Service Office encourages everyone to stop by their new office soon. The new phone number for their office is (414) 266-1234.
We often have been critical of Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, so it is only right to congratulate him when he does something well. In this case, Abele should be commended for sponsoring an event to help senior citizens ensure their rights to vote under the new Voter ID Law.
Here is the press release announcing and describing the event:
The Milwaukee County Department on Aging (MCDA) in collaboration with Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will sponsor an educational event to inform seniors about the new Voter Photo ID Law and how to obtain a free Wisconsin State ID for the purpose of voting. The Voter Education Event for Seniors will occur on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 am at the at the Italian Community Conference Center, 631 East Chicago Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. 300-400 seniors, family members, caregivers, and personnel from provider and community agencies are expected to attend.
The morning event will kick-off at 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. where Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will stress the importance of ensuring seniors are prepared to vote in 2012. Abele will also discuss the critical need for older adults to be prepared and have the proper identification needed to vote on Election Day. As part of the kick-off, Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm will share information about voter fraud and prosecutions.
Immediately following the County Executive’s remarks, a panel presentation will be held inclusive of the Government Accountability Board (GAB), Department of Transportation (DOT), Milwaukee County Election Commission, City of Milwaukee Election Commission, Disability Rights Wisconsin, and AARP. Participants will be able to ask questions.
Resource tables will be hosted by local, state and national agencies including, but not limited to the MCDA Aging Resource Center, Milwaukee County Disability Resource Center, NAACP, Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach Program, GAB, League of Women Voters, AARP, and Legal Action of Wisconsin.
Seniors, family members, caregivers, and staff from provider and community agencies are invited to attend. The morning will serve up a free hot breakfast, informational resources, and more importantly education on how to be informed and prepared to vote in the upcoming elections.
Stephanie Sue Stein, Director of the Milwaukee County Department on Aging said, “Unless older adults are familiar with the new photo ID voting requirements, some will be confused and frustrated and when election day comes, quite possibly unable to cast their vote. At this event, we will explain the changes and what they need to do to be prepared to vote. Additionally, seniors will learn how to obtain a free Wisconsin State ID for the purpose of voting, which is extremely important information.”
Space is limited and Registration is required. To register, call 414-289-5950 or email agingevents@milwaukeecounty.com. Registered participants will automatically receive a free Voter ID Checklist Envelope.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an article regarding the upcoming contest to replace outgoing Chairman Lee Holloway when he retires in the spring. The article in itself is lopsided towards Marina Dimitrijevic and only mentions a few of the others.
Even though voters don’t have a say in who will become Chairman of the Board, we believe that it is still important to understand the workings of the County Board. In order to present readers with a more comprehensive look at who’s in, who’s out and their strengths and weaknesses, we give this brief overview of each of the districts.
District 1: This district is represented by Theo Lipscomb. He is a moderately progressive supervisor who seems to have a fair amount of support in his district. In the article, he indicates that he has some interest, but has not made a final decision.
He has done some good work for Milwaukee County, most notably in leading the fight to override then County Executive Scott Walker in securing as much stimulus funding as the county could receive. On the downside, he has not always been strong in standing up for progressive causes, such as supporting the workers. But when he does exert himself, he does a very fine job.
District 2: This district is represented by Nikiya Harris. Harris is very invested in her district and her constituents. She is very grassroots in her approach. She has not indicated an opinion one way or the other if she would like to run.
She has been very supportive of issues that would enhance the quality of life in Milwaukee County and most of her votes represent this fact. We only wish she were a bit more outspoken on the issues. The fact that she hasn’t been puts into question if she has the leadership qualities needed for such a contentious position.
District 3: This district is represented by Gerry Broderick. Broderick has been a long time stalwart for the county and has supported its services and workers on a very consistent basis. He is vocal when he needs to be and is not afraid to call out bad decisions and bad actions.
While Broderick would make a great Chairman, he has unfortunately indicated he has no interest in the position.
District 4: This district is represented by Marina Dimitrijevic. She is a young, energetic woman who has already received many well-earned accolades. She has also led the way in doing some truly long overdue things that have improved the county. Among these is putting the county on a track to be more sustainable and eco-friendly and brought a higher level of transparency in government, in regards to both the legislative and the political aspects.
She has also formed a PAC, but instead of serving the county, it appears that the intent was more self-serving in stacking the deck in her favor by currying favor, especially with the new supervisors.
Unfortunately, in her eagerness to get to the role of Chair, she has made some really unfortunate decisions which puts her judgment into question. She has supported the plutocratic executive, Chris Abele, even though he’s done things just like Scott Walker, who she was willing to criticize. She has also turned her back on some of the county’s most vulnerable citizens, exemplified with having a hand in downsizing mental health service when all signs point to the fact it needs to be fortified and has tried to attack county workers with her coercive, intrusive and punitive “wellness program.”
Besides the ill-advised support for Abele, Dimitrijevic has also gotten herself involved with an imbroglio by supporting another candidate for supervisor, Penny Sikora, who has a lengthy criminal past.
In the article, Dimitrijevic said she would be a “different type of leader” than we’ve had the past few years. However, the outgoing chairman has been anti-worker and entangled in messes stemming from bad decision making, so the difference isn’t all that clear.
District 5: This district is represented by the outgoing chairman, Lee Holloway. Whoever is elected to replace him will need time to become familiar with the operations of the county and could not seriously be considered for the chair, no matter how wonderful she or he might be.
District 6: This district is represented by Joe Rice and will be dissolved in the next election due to the redistricting plan adopted last year.
District 7: This district is represented by Michael Mayo, Sr. Mayo has been Holloway’s second in command for years. While Mayo generally has supported causes that were positive for the county, he has not been very outspoken about them. Like Broderick, he has denied any intentions to run for the chair.
District 8: This district is represented by Patricia Jursik. There is no denying that Jursik has been very outspoken. But her stances has been greatly scattered and inconsistent. The only consistency has been that she feels her most important constituent is herself.
Jursik, like too many other supervisors, has also been shirking her duties and has missed many meetings. She has not expressed any opinion, one way or another, if she would want the position, but it would not be a good fit.
District 9: This district is represented by the absentee supervisor, Paul Cesarz. Cesarz has recently announced that he is not seeking re-election. As with Holloway’s successor, it is not reasonable to expect Cesarz’ replacement to become chair.
District 10: This district is represented Eyon Biddle, who has been very pro-active and outspoken. In the short year that he has been supervisor, he has done many good things in moving the county forward after the devastation of Scott Walker’s maladministration and despite Abele’s wont to continue that poor showing.
Sadly, Biddle has decided to run for city councilman, leaving his district with a new supervisor who, as in the others, will not be ready to take on the position of chair. Had Biddle stayed, he could have easily become the next chair and would have been a great asset to the county in that role.
District 11: This district is represented by Mark Borkowski. Borkowski is a very personable man and someone you wouldn’ t mind having a beer or coffee with while chatting. However, he is not very inspiring as a leader and often is more of a backseat kind of supervisor.
While Borkowski can talk of being supportive towards causes which would benefit the county, his votes have been more consistent in supporting policies which have been detrimental.
Borkowski has not expressed an interest or disinterest in being chair, but it would be surprising if he ran.
District 12: This district is represented by Peggy Romo West. While Romo West is very active in her community and has fought for it, especially Kosciuszko Park, she has also had some unfortunate events which could hamper her ability to be a leader. She has not indicated one way or the other if she has interest in the position.
District 13: This district is represented by Willie Johnson, Jr. Johnson’s record is a lot like Mayo’s, in that he has generally been progressive, but has not shown a strong leadership on any issues. Johnson has expressed an interest in being chair, but it is doubtful he could win a race.
District 14: This district is represented by Jason Haas. In interest of full disclosure, we must state that Haas was vice-chair of Milwaukee County First until he chose to run for supervisor last year.
Haas, in his first year of being a supervisor has led the way in bringing Milwaukee County into the present technologically. He has also been a strong advocate for many key issues, from the parks to transportation.
However, despite all of the good Haas has already done, he is still a relative new supervisor. He has the potential to be chair, and a good one, but this is probably not his year to do that. He has not expressed an interest in doing so either.
District 15: This district is represented by Lynne De Bruin. De Bruin is retiring after this term. As with the others, the new supervisor won’t be in a position to run for chair.
District 16: This district is represented by John Weishan, Jr. Weishan is a strong and fierce advocate for the county and often leads the way on progressive issues. He is often outspoken on something he sees wrong and is willing to dig in and help in any way he can.
That said, Weishan can sometimes be too outspoken and too fierce to the point of being aggressive, which can rub some of the other supervisors the wrong way. Then again, this might be the type of leadership the Board needs as it contends with it’s third straight executive who is bent on serving special interests rather than the county’s interests.
District 17: This district is semi-represented by Joe Sanfelippo. He only partially represents his district, since he spends more time working at his taxi cab company instead of serving his constituents.
Sanfelippo has often expressed anti-Milwaukee County sentiments and continues to try to sabotage anything he can. His ideological malfeasance has already cost county tax payers tens of millions of dollars.
Fortunately, even though he would aspire to be chair, he recognizes he does not have the support and states he will not run for it.
District 18: This district is represented by John Thomas. Thomas has also chosen to leave the county to run to be the city comptroller. As with the other districts getting a new supervisor, that person will not be in a position to seriously consider a run.
District 19: This district is represented by James “Luigi” Schmitt. Schmitt is a long time supervisor, but is more like a place holder than a leader. Schmitt is a relative moderate and can come down on either side of any given issue. While this might be a good attribute for coalition building, it won’t help in supplying the push the county needs to try to get and keep the county on the path to recovery, especially when the executive is bent on doing the exact opposite.
Schitt has not publicly expressed an interest in running for the Chair.
As we had reported on Facebook last week, Supervisor Paul Cesarz is not going to run for re-election.
Cesarz has been skipping meetings and has rarely been in office, earning him disparagement among his colleagues and constituents alike. Instead of performing the job he was elected to do, is working full time as a pharmacist for a local Walgreens drugstore.
Cesarz has a long history of financial problems stemming from a realty business he was involved in. He has had been sued stemming from these dealings as well as is in arrears with taxes. He also probably found it difficult to support a campaign given that his campaign finances are currently more than $50,000 in the hole.
A number of people had already stepped up to run against Cesarz before he chose to bow out. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting on these candidates running:
Candidates who have registered to run for Cesarz’s seat include Oak Creek Ald. Ken Gehl, Franklin Ald. Steve Taylor and Deputy Sheriff Robert Ostrowski, of Oak Creek. William Wilkins, of Hales Corners, a clerical worker in the sheriff’s office, also has registered his candidacy but is not expected to run, while Zachary Johnson, of Oak Creek, who works for a business insurance firm, had said he planned to run but did not register as a candidate.
The voters in the 9th District now have a great opportunity to elect someone who will actually represent their best interests, or represent them at all.
At the time of this writing, it is unknown if the same can be said for the people of the 17th District, who currently have Joe Sanfelippo, who is more interested in his taxi cab business than he is in doing what is best for his constituents or for the county.
Chris Abele is continuing his pattern of being Walker Light.
In his first budget, he has taken full advantage of Act 10 by docking the pay checks of county employees by yet another $70 per month for health care costs. And that’s on top of the hundreds of dollars he was already taking from them.
Now we find out that he needed the money to reward a long time associate.
Abele has tried three times to slide Amber Moreen, one of his employees from his personal group, the Argosy Foundation, into a county position, going as far as jeopardizing federal and state funding to do so.
Fortunately, the County Board has been vigilante and has thwarted his ill-advised maneuverings.
Today, Abele announced that he is appointing Moreen, who he wanted as a policy analyst/advisor to be his Chief of Staff. His plug for her sounds rather ominous however:
“Amber will greatly benefit my office and Milwaukee County taxpayers through her exceptional background and experience in developing sound public policy solutions based on research and data,” Abele said. “As chief of staff, she will help me build on a growing culture of rigorous and disciplined decision-making among department heads and all leadership throughout county government. I’m pleased to bring her skills and commitment to the task of building the most efficient and sustainable county we can and delivering the level of services that Milwaukeeans deserve.”
That is the same kind of language Walker would use when he wanted to privatize vital services, which always ended up being bad news for the recipients of these services as well as for the tax payers.
As always, we will keep an eye on further developments and report on them.
The Milwaukee Business Journal is reporting that just last month, State Representative Elizabeth Coggs, who was recently appointed to the Assembly Transportation Committee, has been circulating a bill that would allow Milwaukee County to have a dedicated funding source for the transit and parks systems.
As noted in the article, having a dedicated funding source for these services – with a correlating drop in property taxes – was passed three years ago. Unfortunately, Governor Jim Doyle and the Democrats in the legislature could or would not allow the bill pass as it was in the referendum.
It appears to be a long , difficult battle to even get it to be considered again, much less passed, with the current regime in place in Madison.
But the urgency of such a measure is great.
After eight years of Scott Walker continuous maladministration, the transit and park systems are on their last legs without a dedicated funding source. Unfortunately, it has also become painfully apparent that Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is not interested in helping either system by his refusal to seek a long term solution.
And without a healthy, vibrant transit system, our regional economy won’t be able to pull out of the current recession as quickly, if at all.
We encourage the County Board and Milwaukee legislators to use whatever influence they might have in influencing the state law makers to support Representative Coggs’ bill.
And we thank Representative Coggs for having the courage and the foresight to do the right thing, even if it may be unpopular with the majority of her colleagues and the governor.
The ink on the 2012 Milwaukee County Budget, which slashes county workers’ pay by thousands more than even Scott Walker was looking for, isn’t even dried yet and Milwaukee County Executive is strutting his hypocritical attitude towards them.
After cutting their pay, but giving his top aides and cronies raises and specially created jobs, Abele is now appreciative of our award-winning snow plow drivers:
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will visit Milwaukee County Department of Transportation’s main shop, located at 10320 W. Watertown Plank Road, at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011, which has been proclaimed “Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day” throughout the state of Wisconsin. Abele will meet with county snowplow drivers and learn how the county is preparing for the incoming winter weather.
Milwaukee County maintains approximately 2,300 miles of roadway. The fleet is made up 55 trucks and a crew of 110 snowplow drivers, who are split between two shifts. Between the three shops, Milwaukee County holds approximately 34,000 tons of salt onsite each winter.
“Snowplow drivers work diligently to provide the crucial task of keeping highways and expressways within the county safe and passable for residents and employees during the winter,” Abele said. “They work long, irregular hours and put themselves in danger to ensure the roads are safe for us. I think it’s important to take time and realize how vital they are to safe commuting in the winter.”
Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day is celebrated annually before the winter begins nationwide. On average, Milwaukee County receives 47 inches of snow during the winter, which plow drivers are responsible for removing from all county and state trunk highways and expressways.
While everyone likes to hear that they’re doing a good job and are appreciated, Abele’s proclamation will do very little to help the workers pay the bills, keep their homes or put food on their children’s plate.
Not only that but by taking that much money out of the local economy, it is no wonder that Milwaukee County keeps losing jobs. If Abele continues to follow the unsustainable economic approach taken by Walker, our economy will only continue to spiral downward.
Thursday was a national day of action for the Occupy movement, otherwise known as the 99%. Supervisor joined in the peaceful protest and issued the following press release:
“People who are familiar with me know that I am champion for everyday people. I stand with and fight for my community. Like many other Americans, I am fed up with the way the people’s voices are being drowned out by corporate lobbyists and powerful special interests. For those who say we are in a state of emergency, I absolutely agree.
“Our own City of Milwaukee has been in a state of emergency for many years. Milwaukee is the 9th poorest city in the nation. Milwaukee is one of the worst cities for minority-owned businesses, entrepreneurship and median household incomes. Milwaukee’s abysmal infant mortality rate is one of the highest in the world. Milwaukee has failing educational outcomes for students of color. We are behind the rest of the country in reading and math achievement. Approximately 44% of Milwaukee’s African-American and 35% for Hispanics are living in poverty. Of these, half are children of color. African-American male joblessness is at 50%. Foreclosures, blight, crumbling infrastructure, apathy, hopelessness, indifference and corruption have been allowed to fester.
“We, the people, have been asleep at the wheel. It’s time to wake up. Milwaukee is not working for people of color, and this city will not realize its full potential and greatness until the quality of life for people of color is enhanced. We cannot allow special interests like the Greater Milwaukee Committee, Bradley Foundation, and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce to be the only ones to dictate and control Milwaukee’s resources and future.
“These facts and more are why I stood with these protesters in saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! 25 million Americans are out of work, yet Congress can’t pass a jobs bill. Nothing is being asked of wealthy Americans in this time of crisis, but budgets are being balanced on the backs of working people. We must change this NOW! The people I represent can’t take it anymore.
“For those who just think I’m frustrated with lawmakers, let me be clear. This is a rally cry not only to our local, state, federal legislators to start creating jobs, but also to my own community. We must stop sitting back and watching our livelihoods go down the drain while the top 1% thrives. We, as leaders and as the community, must be accountable and committed to shifting this paradigm. We need not just reform in how we do things; we need a revolution. We have to walk like how we talk, boldly and courageously for social and economic freedom. Let’s truly make this city work for everyone: for people of color, and for our children.
“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I stand with those who are ready for this revolution to take place now. Our rally sent a positive message for the people of Milwaukee. We disbanded peacefully, but I was fully prepared to be arrested if necessary for this cause. I won’t stop fighting, speaking out and working until we wake up from our slumber and decide to change our city and our country. I don’t care about the political fallout. I don’t care what haters may think. We have to be bold in our actions if we truly want change. I was elected to be a voice and a champion for the people, and that has not and will not ever change. You cannot call yourself a leader and put your self-interests above the people or above the community.
From our press release regarding the 2012 Milwaukee County budget:
For the eight years that Scott Walker was Milwaukee County Executive, it was the same tired old dance. Walker would propose a ridiculously irresponsible budget and the Milwaukee County Board would do the heavy work of trying to salvage what they could from it. In the end,
taxes went up, services were cut and the working people and the most vulnerable citizens would bear a disproportionate share of the burden.
Even though he is no longer county executive, Walker continues his assault on the county budget. Before leaving, he left the county finances in shambles. As governor, he exacerbated the situation with drastic cuts in shared revenue and a $7 million cut in transit funding. As a result, the county was facing severe cuts in all programs, including the transit system and public safety services such as in the Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Medical System.
And as they have done for the past eight years, the County Board stepped up and tried to make the best of a bad situation. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Lee Holloway; the experienced savviness of Supervisors Marina Dimitrijevic, Theo Lipscomb, Gerry Broderick, and
John Weishan; and the fresh ideas of Supervisors Jason Haas, Eyon Biddle and Nikiya Harris, the devastation that Walker would have caused was slightly eased. Furthering the recovery was $12 million in transit funding and heavy concessions from the deputies union.
But despite of these things, Milwaukee County citizens will still see their taxes go up and services get cut, albeit not to the same degree as it had been. And this does not include the unaddressed issues left my Walker’s maladministration, such as the money due to workers for illegal furlough days, the unintended consequences of making a large portion of county workers suddenly eligible for early retirement and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of neglect and disrepair of county facilities.
“With the ongoing disdain and disrespect shown for Milwaukee County’s most vulnerable citizens, tax payers and workers, it’s almost as if Scott Walker never left,” said Chris Liebenthal, Chair of Milwaukee County First. “As long as Walker has any position of authority, it appears that Milwaukee County, and now the entire State of Wisconsin, will continue to suffer as it struggles to regain its former status of a world leader.”Milwaukee County First is a registered 501(c)4 non-profit organization based in Milwaukee County.
“While some supervisors think that Walker’s actions are good things, this could be due to ideological blindness or simply that they haven’t been in their offices enough to know what’s really happening,” continued Liebenthal. “The truth is that with Walker’s malfeasance, the only winners are the well-moneyed special interests who have supported his assault on the people of Milwaukee County and of Wisconsin.
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ones would be behind it enthusiastically.