Statement of Supervisor David Bowen Regarding the April 1 Referendum

“Yesterday, wealthy special interests won a bad poll of public perception at the expense of our democratic principles. The referendum that passed tilts the balance of power in Milwaukee County, diminishing legislative oversight and local control while granting bloated executive powers.

“I do not believe this referendum speaks for everyone in Milwaukee County. This referendum was purposely put on the ballot at time when the authors of Act 14 knew voter turnout would be low, particularly for districts within the City of Milwaukee. It is a reprehensible tactic designed to exclude those voters who do not agree with a corporate political agenda.

“Multiple wards in my district clearly opposed the referendum. However, the City of Milwaukee had a voter turnout of just 8.97 percent. The opinions expressed in these wards were overshadowed by their more conservative counterparts in places such as the City of South Milwaukee, which had a voter turnout of 28 percent.

“This result is an example of why it is so important for people to turn out to vote.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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