Who Will Defend The Physically and Visually Impaired?
January 9, 2008
Supervisors reject cuts for parks, safety, arts
Walker criticizes their budget, pledges vetoes
By DAVE UMHOEFER
dumhoefer@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 6, 2006
The Milwaukee County Board on Monday voted against draining dozens of county pools, restored millions of dollars in cuts to public safety staffing, the parks and arts, and agreed to the largest contribution to the employee pension fund in the last quarter-century.
77022Milwaukee County Budget
Key Points in Board’s Prroposal
Funding would be restored to keep open county pools, pay for sheriff’s patrols in parks, run the 211 emergency hotline and boost parks maintenance.
Transit fares would rise $104 a year for frequent riders, the biggest jump in 20 years for discounted weekly tickets.
Pension contribution would be $49.2 million – the largest in at least 25 years.
Property tax levy would increase 3.6%. That means an average $33 boost for a Milwaukee homeowner.
Privatization proposals rejected for parks workers, courthouse security and maintenance.
Supervisors said they were protecting the public and preserving quality-of-life programs, and they acted in seemingly veto-proof majorities.
County Executive Scott Walker later said it appeared that they had caved in to union pressure to block job cuts. He promised unspecified vetoes and an attempt to get public pressure on board members.
If you also blame Scott Walker, please call him at 414-278-4211 and demand that he fully fund para-transit programs.
