Rep. Donovan to Milwaukee Common Council: Do Your Job

Madison, WI – Representative Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) issued the following statement after the Milwaukee Common Council passed resolutions that essentially amount to the self-declaration of Milwaukee as a “sanctuary city.” These resolutions and the council’s potential legislation seek to restrict federal law enforcement’s ability to enforce immigration law. Rep. Donovan said:

“The Common Council are injecting themselves into the national debate with symbolic resolutions that will do nothing except antagonize Washington. Instead, they should be getting back to the basics of local governance—the work they were elected to do.

“At a time when national homicides across the nation have plummeted, Milwaukee continues to increase. What are they doing about that? Why are they not paying a little more attention to the paving of their streets, fixing potholes? Why are they not ensuring the street lights come on at night so citizens feel safe walking their community? Why are they not exploring ways to take advantage of state legislation to consolidate city services at a time when the city budget is already tight? Why are they not speaking about the homeless, drug dealing, or the prostitution that have wreaked havoc on our streets? What are they doing about the boarded-up businesses and homes that you see throughout our neighborhoods?

“The reality is they are doing nothing but grandstanding for national issues—to the determinant of their constituents. After seeing what the council is up to, I long for the days when the biggest debate was the streetcar. Believe me, I never thought I would say that.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.