Tony Staskunas

The Return of County Cronyism

Or maybe it never went away. Push for 36% salary hikes echoes mentality behind infamous county pension plan.

Meet The New Milwaukee County Board

When the next legislative cycle begins, there will be four new supervisors.

Crowley Vetoes Big Salary Hikes for Elected Officials

36% pay hikes passed by board are 'unprecedented and irresponsible,' Crowley chides.

Board Approves Unprecedented Pay Raise For Elected Officials

Board approves unprecedented 36% salary increases for elected officials without saying a word.

County Board Wants Ceasefire In Gaza, But Only By A Narrow Margin

Fight over underlying language divides board.

Supervisors Seek Even Bigger Raises For County Officers

Committee unanimously supports a $33,000 raise for all three constitutional officers.

Joint City-County Housing Committee Gaining Support

County Board committee provides first county approval for joint housing initiative.

County Treasurer Dave Cullen Announces Reelection Bid

With many endorsements, Cullen faces Ted Chisholm in Democratic primary.

Board Approves Much Debated Health Travel Program, Once Focused On Abortion

Proposal began as attempt to pay for travel costs related to out of state abortions.

Justin Bielinski Running For Open Seat On County Board

Bielinski running for West Allis-centric seat being vacated by Sup. Tony Staskunas.

Board Adopts 2024 Budget, Setting Up Battle With Crowley

The county executive's administration has already pushed back against some of the amendments.

Sheriff Inquiry Leads to Board Fracas

Board removes jail inquiry from committee after process falls apart. Issue will go to full board.

Board Approves Transgender Sanctuary Designation

Plus: Union-made vehicle policy, Jail Visitation Study, and multi-lingual communication resolution all approved by board.

After ‘Neither Dignity Nor Value’ Comment, Staskunas Wants Clancy Out As Law Enforcement Committee Chair

Staskunas irked by Clancy's recent comments about police work having no "dignity or value."

Committee Advances Medical Travel Fund, Which Could Include Abortions

Modified version of earlier proposal would pay for travel, not health care.

Sup. Tony Staskunas Won’t Seek Re-Election

The West Allis supervisor has served on the board since 2013.

Board Wants Solution to Housing Voucher Discrimination

But county attorney believes options are limited. Departments directed to find solutions.

County Board Approves Sales Tax

County joins city in adopting new sales tax designed to avert fiscal cliff after years of declining state aid.

Committee Rejects Housing Voucher Incentives

Housing advocates concerned landlord incentives would mean county giving up on enforcing housing protections.

County Could Pay For Old Loomis Road Repair, After Rejecting State Funding

New Sup. Kathleen Vincent seeks repairs stymied by former board.

Board Approves Jail Probe, Opposes Brewers Subsidy

Plus: Board sends abortion proposal to attorney's for additional review

Will Old Loomis Road Finally Be Fixed?

Supervisors reconsider road repair after turning down state funding for project two years ago.

Committee Rejects Abortion Travel Fund

With Republican legislators watching Milwaukee's every move, supervisors reject proposal.

Board Approves Harley Park Deal

Plus: County board approves Juvenile Justice Center redevelopment, Sherman Park projects and settlement for opioid lawsuit.

Is Hales Corners Ice Rink Project Dead?

The leader of private/public project says so, now that county demands its $75,000 back.

Board Almost Blocks Juvenile Justice Funding

A majority of supervisors voted to hold on a $42 million contract without appearing to know what the impact would be.

County Supervisors Commend Bruce Colburn on Long Career Fighting for Workers’ Rights

County Board Rejects The ‘Fix at Six’

Board still maintains a policy of opposition to I-94 expansion, but won't support this alternative.

Board Considering Abortion Referendum, Again

Board would place question on April ballot after failing to approve November election proposal.

Crowley Vetoes Lake Park Bluff Proposal

Should neighbors have rights to maintain bluff forever? Crowley says no.

County To Seek Historic Designation for Domes

Board wants National Register of Historic Places listing. A first step toward saving Domes?

Crowley Vetoes Downtown Roller Rink

Roller rink in Red Arrow Park won't happen this summer, but idea may not be dead.

Board Approves Two Fall Referendums

A third referendum gauging public support for legal abortion did not pass.

Supervisors Debate Unpaid Jail Labor

Current policy gives sentence reductions for labor performed; Clancy pushes resolution declaring unpaid labor is 'immoral.'

Downtown Roller Rink Looks Unlikely

Board struggles to find funding, plan lacks true budget and rink won't be ready for this summer.

Nicholson Shuffles Board’s Leadership

Chairwoman resets board's balance of power, and punishes a rival, with new committee assignments.

Committee Opposes Minimum Bail Bills

Rejects Sup. Longdon’s push to support state legislative bills that increase bail.

Board Okays New Jail Phone Call Policy

Amended resolution slowly lowers cost of phone and video calls for jail and HOC inmates.

Board Debates Free Jail Phone Calls

Studies show it reduces recidivism. But could cost millions, with complicated practical details.

9 Supervisors Unopposed For 2022

Deadline is one week away and nearly 70% of districts have just one candidate running.

Board Adopts New Supervisory Map

After jettisoning their independent process, the board adopted a new map during a marathon meeting Friday night.

County Board Committee Backs Redistricting Maps

After rejecting independent redistricting committee, supervisors pick two maps they like.

Board Takes Over Redistricting, Rejects Independent Effort

Board rejected third and final map from its Independent Redistricting Committee.

Independent Committee Submits Final Map for Supervisor Districts

But independence of the Independent Redistricting Committee is now in question, as county board could face lawsuits.

Board of Supervisors Rejects First Draft of New Supervisory District Maps

So Much For An Independent Redistricting Process

County committee rejects its own independent redistricting committee's recommendations.

Board Approves Mental Health Crisis Team

Partnering sheriff's deputies and mental health professionals. But some supervisors opposed creating new Sheriff's Deputy positions.

County Micro-Managing At Its Worst?

Board proposal to oversee all county parks bike trail changes is a head scratcher.

Supervisors Push To Be Bike Trail Czars

Parks committee approves resolution giving it approval power over bike trails maintenance, alterations.

County Board Adopts Resolution Reducing Marijuana Possession Penalty

Supervisors Denounce Violence and Discrimination Against Asian Americans

Judiciary Committee Approves Proposal to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalty

County Freeway Speed Limits A Danger?

Sudden changes in speed limits, outdated infrastructure cited as problems. County Board will investigate problem.

Does the Wisconsin Counties Association Help Milwaukee?

Some county officials say no, and are pushing to withdraw from the group.

Supervisors’ Statement on the Passing of Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron

Housing Funding Lacking Despite ‘Right To Shelter’

Ending homelessness in Milwaukee County will require additional resources.

Board Adopts 2021 Budget

Tax levy increase of 0.59%, many amendments and delays to electric buses and hemp growing.

Supervisors Want Chokehold Ban Codified

Sheriff's Office does not oppose a chokehold ban, but has reservations about self-defense prohibition.

Franklin Finally Addresses Noise Pollution

After years of residents' complaints and pressure from Milwaukee County, Franklin city officials take action on sports complex.

Supervisor Patti Logsdon Announces Extension of Rawson Avenue Reconditioning Project

Nicholson Picks New Board’s Leaders

While new board chair rewarded some allies, some who opposed her retained positions.

Nicholson Elected County Board Chairwoman

Marcelia Nicholson beats Willie Johnson, Jr. out for leadership of the county board.

Supervisors Question Couture Project

Staskunas says county should consider other options, doubts 44-story tower will happen.

Milwaukee County Announces Upcoming Budget Public Engagement Sessions

Four sessions in partnership with Milwaukee County Supervisors provide forum for residents to share priorities and weigh in on new revenue options

County Board Okays Pot Referendum

Hope is that advisory referendum will push state legislators to act.

Chairman Lipscomb Announces Committee Assignments

Standing committees typically meet every month, prior to the County Board meeting.

Vote Today; Key Races Will Be Decided

A breakdown of everything on Milwaukee ballots.

Vote for Supreme Court, County Board Tuesday

One county board race and a hotly contested race for state's highest court.

Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Opposes Paid Parking in County Parks

"We certainly need innovative ideas for generating new revenue, but we shouldn't be creating obstacles for all people to enjoy our public parks."

County Board Candidate Johnson Vows To Kill Paid Park Parking

"People should be enjoying the parks, not worrying if they have to go plug a meter."

County Board Declines Accountability Vote on Wheel Tax

"It is important that each elected official be asked each budget year to go on the record to vote in favor of authorizing or ending the wheel tax."

Keg Tappings on Wednesday will mark halfway point of beer garden season & celebrate $20,000 of park upgrades

Beer gardens are continuing to help fund upgrades and improvements to parks throughout the county.

County Board Okays Bid for Streetcar

Despite long odds against winning, county will submit bid to the city.

Sheriff Clarke Rejects Invitation to Meet with Judiciary Committee

Members of the Committee released a joint statement regarding Clarke's absence.

County Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Opposes $60 Wheel Tax

"It is regressive, it's much higher than other wheel taxes around the state, and it is an extreme burden on those with multiple vehicles."

Enough! It’s Time to Tear Down the Estabrook Dam

For years, there has been a consensus among the Milwaukee community that the dam should be removed.

Board Chairman Lipscomb Announces Standing Committee Assignments for the 2016-2018 term

I am excited to announce the historic appointment of Supervisor Peggy A. West as Chairwoman of Milwaukee County’s Finance Committee.

Could Abele Sell County Parks?

Abele says he won’t, but state law allows sale of 43 parks. Supervisors move to bar this.

County Will Allow Politics in Parks

“Bizarre” ban on political activity had restricted free speech for more than a decade.

Board Makes the Right Decision to Not Fund John Doe II Appeal

Minority Group of Supervisors Successfully Blocks Funding Proposal

Marcus Center Cast Into Limbo

No one seems to agree with Abele's plan to have it absorbed by sprawling Wisconsin Center District.

Taxpayers on hook for County Supervisor John Weishan’s legal tab

Taxpayers Lose Nearly $10,000 to County Supervisor’s Legal Bills

Today a Milwaukee County Supervisor had a solid victory over the taxpayers.

County Board Invoices Taxpayers for Living Wage Ordinance

Taxpayers deserve an explanation from Rep. Bowen

County Board Pushes Seniors on the Bus; Kicks Financial Warnings to the Curb

"While we want to see our transit system improved, I worry that the GO Pass, which was largely opposed by Milwaukee’s senior community, will eventually cause fares to increase at the expense of all other riders."

Don’t Sell O’Donnell Park

The proposed plan is being sold as a chance to simply get bids from buyers, but it's really about selling our heritage to private developers.

The County Board’s Anti-Environmental Boondoggle

Its Estabrook Dam decision will cost taxpayers millions and harm environment.

County Board Offered Opportunity to Save Taxpayers $10 Million

Abele Asks Supervisors to Stop Pension Overpayments

New Plan to Sell O’Donnell Park Is A Mistake

Proposed resolution would allow county to sell O’Donnell Park for redevelopment by any private developer.

Sup. Staskunas Supports O’Donnell Park Sale to Northwestern Mutual

Confident that NM Will Keep Promises on Open Space, Public Parking

Candidate Questionnaires Tie Legislators’ Hands

Interest groups demand them. Politicians hate them. The result is less compromise on issues.

Why Moderates Are Extinct

The retirement of Petri, Ellis and Cullen suggests neither party has room for moderates.

Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Expresses Concern Over Southridge Bus Stop

Says Southridge Management Should Reconsider Bus Stop Move

Supervisors Say “It’s Time to Move Forward on Transit”

They Urge the County Executive to Issue a New Transit RFP

Statement of Supervisor Tony Staskunas Regarding Review Panel’s Rejection of Transit RFP

Milwaukee County Supervisor Tony Staskunas, Vice Chair of the Administrative Determination Review Committee, Issued the Following Statement on the Committee's Rejection of a Transit RFP

Drunk Driving Becomes Campaign Issue

Issue of whether to make first-time OWI a crime is hot issue in attorney general race.

Campaign Season Kicks Off

Politicos flock to Jon Richards fundraiser, and judicial candidate Janet C. Protasiewicz's event.

The Nuclear Option

Supervisors nuke Chris Abele’s staff salaries. Will this hurt the county?

Why Governments Never Cooperate With Each Other

Chris Abele seeks to improve efficiency through cooperative ventures with municipal governments. Will the county board resist?

Winners and Losers

It was a good election for Scott Walker and conservatives but there were some bright spots for liberals.

RTA – On Hold For Now

Any hope for a regional transit authority in southeastern Wisconsin is on hold, as the Wisconsin State Legislature adjourned without passing a transit bill of any form for southeast Wisconsin. The bill, AB282, was close to passage in the Assembly, but lacked a few key votes from Milwaukee-area Democrats, notably Representatives David Cullen, Peggy Krusick, and Anthony Staskunas.

RTA Will Be a Last Minute Decision

The vote on the future of regional transit that was scheduled for a vote by the Wisconsin State Assembly on Tuesday didn't actually happen, but a lot of small actions leading up to it did.

Lautenschlager’s Mess

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager’s drunk driving arrest last week removes her from behind the wheel of her state-owned vehicle for a year, and puts Governor Jim Doyle in the driver’s seat. The two had squabbled, privately, over terms of the Governor’s jobs bill, with Lautenschlager threatening to use her authority to see that the law comply with the state’s environmental regulations, which she intimated it did not. This sort of independent action by an attorney general is not new in Wisconsin. Doyle was the chief practitioner of it, but then again, he was a Democrat, and the Governor at the time was a Republican. The press has made note that Doyle suggests Lautenschlager forgo some of her pay as a sort of penance for her indiscretion, a matter that remains unresolved at this time. Doyle also suggested that Lautenschlager consider entering a program to treat problem drinkers. He said that he had a number of friends who had been in a similar situation and that the treatment had helped them. In fact, the public admission of guilt and responsibility (which Lautenschlager made) is usually accompanied these days with a prompt acknowledgement that a problem exists. The subject then usually promptly enters a treatment program and completes it, after which the matter is forgotten. Lautenschlager has not made that admission thus far, which leaves her in the position of either not having a “problem” or being “in denial” of it. It does leave Doyle high and dry, however, and much less likely to face interference in his plans from that peskiest of all politicians – an ambitious Attorney General. Walker at the War Memorial County Executive Scott Walker welcomed about 100 well-clad guests to a fundraiser February 26th at the War Memorial Center. The strictly upper-crust affair was a Republican-type fundraiser, which meant that hard liquor was consumed (in moderation) and beer, for the most part, was ignored. For those fans of the frothy stuff, Walker offered Miller products and Heineken. Food was by Ellen’s Prestige Catering, and included strolling waiters, another classy touch. Menu items included spinach somethings, meat and melted cheese on sandwich rounds, wrapped up little salmon tidbits, an entirely unsuccessful raspberry-brie tart, platters of some kind of 21st century sandwich product along with perfectly delicious fruit. The event was unmarred by public oratory, but was enhanced by an A-list of locals practicing up for the next time Bush is in town. Among the exalted: George Dalton, Dennis Kuester (on crutches), Michael Cudahy, mourning the recent death of Daniel Urban Kiley, creator of the $4 million Cudahy garden outside the adjacent Milwaukee Art Museum, Fred Luber, Tim Hoeksma, Carol Skornicka, John Finerty, Jim Weichmann, Joe Rice, Mary Buestrin, Corey Hoze and developer Mark Irgens. Hoze has secured speaker Dennis Hastert to appear at a $2000 fundraiser on his hopeless behalf in his upcoming congressional campaign. That’s rich. Marvin Pratt popped in and worked the crowd for about 20 minutes before his cop told him it was time to […]