10 Most Popular Stories of 2015
The bus strike, Scott Walker’s meltdown, a sneaky Bucks arena plan -- readers flocked to these and other stories.
To judge by our most popular stories, Scott Walker was the man of the year in 2015. Though the topic of the year might have been the new Bucks arena. So which Urban Milwaukee stories got the biggest readership? Here are the top 10 of 2015.
1. Fifteen Myths About the Bus Strike
Milwaukee Country Transit System Bus
Will bus riders lose bathroom breaks or get rich? Will taxpayers win or lose? Jeramey Jannene considers competing claims and offers the facts.
2. Dale Schultz’s Last Hurrah
Dale Schultz
The Republican state senator leaves office with a bang, dumping on Republicans and explaining how Gov. Walker snookered him on Act 10.
3. The Meltdown of Scott Walker
Scott Walker’s Canadian Border Wall
Walker proves a laughably inept candidate for president. And Bruce Murphy admits he was all wrong about Scooter’s chances.
4. Why Walker Had to Cut UW Funding
Gov. Scott Walker at the executive residence, Dec. 30, 2014. Photo by Kate Golden/Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.
His ambition to become president forced Walker to take stands still hurting him in Wisconsin.
5. The Attack on Government Pensions
Governor Walker delivers remarks at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s Business Day in Madison. Photo from the State of Wisconsin.
The current system minimizes risks for taxpayers and is cheaper to run than a 401(k) plan. So why do Republicans want to change it?
6. State Bucks Arena Plan Fleeces Milwaukee
$100 Arena Bill
Bruce Murphy exposes a plan saddling Milwaukee with almost all costs and no control over arena. Within weeks, the plan was changed.
7. Wisconsin’s Growing Teacher Shortage
Rufus King. Photo by Christopher Hillard.
Education majors at state’s universities are down and vacant teaching positions are up. “It’s not as attractive to become a teacher.”
8. Was Act 10 Necessary?
Wisconsin capitol protests during the passing of the controversial Act 10. Photo by Patti Wenzel
Mr. Bipartisan, Don Kettl, considers the justifications for killing public employee unions and finds one key reason stands out.
9. The Most Gerrymandered State in America
Justice Anthony Kennedy
That would be Wisconsin, where the level of gerrymandering is “without historic precedent.” What’s to be done?
10. Plats and Parcels: A Week of Ground-Breaking News
![Lakefront Gateway Project before and after view. The after view, on the right, shows the possible site for the JCI Headquarters [L] and the site of The Couture development [R].](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lakefront3ba.jpg)
Lakefront Gateway Project before and after view. The after view, on the right, shows the possible site for the JCI Headquarters [L] and the site of The Couture development [R].
#6 should be changed to UrbanMilwaukee’s crusade against the new Bucks arena.
@Ryan, Despite Urban Milwaukee presenting facts most other media did not bother to delve into, Bucks cheerleaders can be relieved that reporting had no impact on the Bucks getting virtually everything they demanded–and perhaps then some. It appears their lobbying etc. locked up those votes among city and state officials long before any pseudo “debates” among politicians.
Milwaukee city and county taxpayers will bear the greatest brunt of this $400-million deal, which will not magically have a positive economic impact–just as other tax-funded venues have not. But for another 20 years those who voted for this giveaway can pretend that all new development–much already under way–was a direct result of having a new arena for a team that draws poor attendance even when they are winning. Then it will be time to begin the drumbeat for a snazzier arena–if the Bucks are still here.