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![Fred Kessler [r]](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/gallery/juneau-town/thumbs/thumbs_img_4204.jpg "Fred Kessler [r]")
Content referencing Fred Kessler
Bernie Sanders to Host Private Brunch in Milwaukee
Event canceled after publication.
Jun 21st, 2024 by Michael Horne
Johnson Names Former Deputy City Attorney To Fire & Police Commission
Miriam Horwitz would be commission's ninth member, fulfilling mayor's campaign pledge.
Nov 2nd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Kessler Resigns From Fire-Police Board
Retired judge's resignation delays mayor's push to create full, 9-member Fire & Police Commission.
Sep 19th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Board Takes Over Redistricting, Rejects Independent Effort
Board rejected third and final map from its Independent Redistricting Committee.
Oct 23rd, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
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.
Oct 20th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
So Much For An Independent Redistricting Process
County committee rejects its own independent redistricting committee's recommendations.
Oct 1st, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Hispanic Districts Key to Board Redistricting
Current Hispanic districts potentially run afoul of 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Sep 30th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
New Map For Supervisor Districts Submitted
But independent committee made no effort to protect incumbents. How will board vote?
Sep 29th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Supervisors Create Independent Redistricting Committee
An historic first. But six retired judges must act fast to create new legislative maps.
Aug 16th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Committee Loves New FPC Nominees
Ramey, Kessler and Fallone draw unanimous support from council members.
Jun 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Replacing FPC Chair, Vice Chair
Three new appointments by mayor would reshape the Fire & Police Commission.
Jun 9th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Can Wisconsin Create Fair District Maps?
Former Republican State Sen. Dan Kapanke admits gerrymander, calls for fair maps.
Sep 11th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
John Norquist’s 70th Birthday Party
A host of Milwaukeeans and former city officials attend gala party in Chicago.
Nov 18th, 2019 by Michael Horne
A New Generation of Political Leaders
GenXers and Millennials are replacing Baby Boomers in political office.
May 6th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Streetcar Opens to Public
"This is your assignment: ride the streetcar," says Mayor Barrett.
Nov 2nd, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
All the Election Data You Want
It was one for the history books, with many surprising results and newcomers.
Aug 15th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
23 Election Winners and Losers
Beyond the vote totals, who were the other winners and losers in yesterday’s election?
Aug 15th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
4th Street Rededicated Vel R. Phillips Ave.
A who's who ceremony of politicians and candidates turns out to honor legacy of Vel Phillips.
Aug 7th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Walker Avoids Harley Issue at Parades
Governor declines to criticize Trump in his July 4 appearances.
Jul 5th, 2018 by Chuck Quirmbach
Democrats Rejected Redistricting Reform
Legislative leaders rejected reforms proposed in 2009-2010 session.
Jun 25th, 2018 by Steven Walters
No Choice in 36% of Legislative Races
Gerrymandering and decline in number of candidates leaves 2.5 million residents with no choice.
Jun 14th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
New Federal Program Could Help City
Opportunity Zones law allows tax incentives for distressed areas.
Mar 23rd, 2018 by Elliot Hughes
GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White
Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.
Jan 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Is State Elections Process “At Risk”?
Elections Commission, legislators, predict problems if staff not restored.
Nov 27th, 2017 by Steven Walters
Bill Lets Some Criminal Records Be Expunged
Rep. Goyke’s bill gets bipartisan support, allows retroactive expungement of youthful convictions.
Sep 6th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
How Much Do DOJ Civil Suits Cost?
Bill requires state AG to disclose cost of many suits against federal government.
Aug 9th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Big Agriculture Rewards Legislators
Industry wants high capacity wells, gives $220,000 to key committee members.
Mar 15th, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
Assembly Dems Point Way to Reform
Their Clean Elections Act seeks to fix broken campaign finance law.
Oct 25th, 2016 by Matt Rothschild
Pourman’s Used To Be Sausage Factory
Yet it's been a tavern for more than a century. This is truly old Milwaukee.
Jul 28th, 2016 by Michael Horne
Corrections Officials Face Community on Lincoln Hills
Attendees demand accountability, action, in wake of Lincoln Hills scandal.
Jun 22nd, 2016 by Jabril Faraj
Can Larson Beat Abele?
Democratic insiders handicap the race, which may come down to turnout.
Feb 29th, 2016 by Steven Walters
Can Auto Redistricting End Gerrymandering?
A software programmer devises a way to eliminate political bias.
Dec 10th, 2015 by Laura Thompson
Stories Legislators Tell Each Other
Sometimes personal stories told by legislators trump statistics or sound-bite speeches.
Aug 24th, 2015 by Steven Walters
The Most Gerrymandered State in America
Study shows Wisconsin most gerrymandered in 42 years. Case is filed in federal court.
Aug 6th, 2015 by Bruce Murphy
Are Abrahamson’s Days as Chief Justice Numbered?
Constitutional amendment on April referendum would result in her being replaced as chief justice. Even if it fails, her salary will be reduced.
Mar 27th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Low-Turnout Election Had Big Results
For first time, voters could elect two female candidates to top state-wide offices.
Aug 18th, 2014 by Steven Walters
Republicans Push for “Supermajority” on Tax Hikes
Constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds majority could radically change state government.
Feb 17th, 2014 by Steven Walters
We Don’t Want Your Stinking Drones
A (gasp) bipartisan bill to protect privacy from drones raises interesting issues.
Jan 29th, 2014 by Bill Lueders
The Other Mandela
The fundraiser for Rep. Mandela Barnes, just two days before his namesake Nelson Mandela died, had a big turnout.
Dec 8th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Bradley Prizes Go to Millionaires
Roger Ailes and Mitch Daniels were among four men awarded $250,000 each by the Milwaukee foundation for "unflinching" conservatism.
Jun 26th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Who Will Run Against Walker?
The list of possible candidates isn't long, as discussions at the state Democratic convention made clear.
Jun 17th, 2013 by Steven Walters
Bail Bond Bill Will Create Debtor’s Prisons
Why are Republicans pushing a bill opposed almost unanimously by criminal justice professionals?
May 21st, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Julia Taylor’s East Side Chateau
The GMC leader lives in a home long occupied and greatly modified -- with lots of plumbing! -- by Fred and Joan Kessler.
May 3rd, 2013 by Michael Horne
Tammy Baldwin Comes to Town
Baldwin offers an insider's look at the U.S.Senate. And Milwaukee Buck Samuel Dalembert buys a LOT of wine.
Apr 3rd, 2013 by Michael Horne
Every Politician in Town
Well, not quite, but the City's Birthday Party had a big turnout of politicians and insiders.
Feb 5th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Evers Vs. Pridemore
The battle between State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers and challenger Don Pridemore.
Jan 28th, 2013 by Michael Horne
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.
Apr 21st, 2010 by Jeramey Jannene
State Elections Board Responds to Complaint Against Walker
John Weishan and Gerry Broderick filed an official complaint today with the Wisconsin State Elections Board against Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.
May 9th, 2005 by Michael Horne
Riemer: “Ready to Run”
This terse note from Riemer almost sounds like a Bill Christofferson soundbite, which means it's a good one.
Feb 14th, 2005 by Michael Horne
Plale Recall Drive Begins
Can a group of south side political activists pull themselves together enough to acquire 13,212 signatures to force a recall election against Sen. Jeff Plale? Rep. Jon Richards said he doubts it. “This thing is going nowhere,” says Rep. Josh Zepnick. “These people are so lazy! They’ve taken out a newspaper ad asking people to come by and sign a recall petition. Who is going to do that?” True enough. To win an election, you’ve got to knock on doors, post signs in windows and do all kinds of grass-rooted activities. There is scant evidence of this in the Plale recall attempt, and absolutely no evidence of it in the northern fringes of Plale’s district, including Brady Street and the East Side. That hasn’t stopped Plale from printing up thousands of football schedules that he is handing out at every turn. The South Milwaukeean made the journey to St. Rita’s Church last week to attend the Brady Street Association monthly meeting where he was asked about the recall. “They’ve got until September 7th to get the signatures to recall me,” Plale told the audience. When told there seemed to be no effort on the East Side to circulate petitions, Plale said, “well, these people wouldn’t know how to find Brady Street.” Plale was also in the Brady Street area for what the neighborhood hopes is an annual Artisinal Food Festival. The gig was held Sunday, July 25th, and Plale was there along with his schedules. The recall effort against him stemmed from his crucial vote to uphold Governor Doyle’s veto of a republican-sponsored measure to limit property tax increases. Plale says the upcoming plans to sponsor a constitutional amendment known as the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, (TABOR) is similarly flawed, and a potential recipe for disaster. He cites Colorado, a state that has enacted similar provisions into its laws and is now in the midst of its worst fiscal crisis ever. Amendment on the Run The legislature republicans spent the last unedifying session promoting the agenda of Gays, Guns and Gambling. The Madison gang came up with loads of goofy legislation, none of which could sustain a veto by the governor. Leave it to this group to be able to reconvene and pass a constitutional amendment, no less, in just one week. This was the decision of Sen. Mary Panzer, the republican leader who had earlier been criticized for not rushing a Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights law through the Solomonic deliberations of the nation’s most august lawmakers. But, as soon as she faced a primary challenge from Rep.Glenn Grothman, an ambitious fellow republican who covets her senate seat, Panzer decided to schedule a vote for this week. Then, the legislature can go home and come back next year to vote again. Then, finally, the matter will be put to public vote in a referendum, if it is still alive. But, if the legislature does not act by August 5th, the whole procedure would have to be repeated in yet one […]
Jul 26th, 2004 by Michael Horne
Selig Take A Hit
Washington Post Trashes Commissioner and Journal Communications. Plus: The Mea Culpa of Charles J. Sykes and Thompson’s Boycott of Miller Park.
Jun 28th, 2004 by Michael Horne
Pratt’s “Reimbursement” Mystery Money
Acting Mayor Pockets $7,500 with no explanation
Feb 9th, 2004 by Michael Horne
The Milwaukee School Board’s Incumbent Protection Plan
Consultant Fred Kessler drew up a redistricting plan that would carve out a Hispanic school board district, but almost no one on the board seems to support the idea.
Nov 29th, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
