JoCasta Zamarripa is a member of the Milwaukee Common Council. She was first elected in 2020. A Democrat, she served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2011 to 2021.
Campaign Finance Reports
2025 - January Continuing - No Contributions
2021 - January Continuing - $530 - 7 contributions
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Content referencing JoCasta Zamarripa
Chambers, Zamarripa Trade Profanity, Barbs Over Policy
Blowup results in Pérez shaking up committee assignments. Could a censure be next?
Feb 17th, 2026 by Jeramey Jannene
Uihleins Shuttled In Workers From Mexico
Billionaires supported Trump's anti-immigration stance while using Mexican workers.
Feb 16th, 2026 by Bruce Murphy
ICE Hearing Boils Over as Ron Johnson Accuses Minnesota AG of Endangering Protesters
Johnson links Keith Ellison to the fatal shooting of two people by ICE agents; Ellison calls the performance theatrical.
Feb 12th, 2026 by Evan Casey
Council Announces ‘ICE Out Milwaukee’ Plan
Seeking to use 'every single city resource' to oppose possible ICE surge in Milwaukee.
Feb 11th, 2026 by Sophie Bolich
City Suspends Northwest Side Bar
Committee divided over shooting near bar; New Entertainers must close for 15 days.
Jan 21st, 2026 by Sophie Bolich
Southside Restaurant Saved From Closure
El Jalapeño will instead serve a 90-day suspension.
Dec 16th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
City Suspends Downtown Nightclub
Several fights, 500 fake IDs and many underage patrons at 'lucrative' bar.
Nov 25th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Council Narrowly Approves New Police Contract
Several members raise objections to provisions in and out of the deal.
Nov 25th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Entire Council Overrides Every Budget Veto by Mayor Johnson
Unanimous vote overrides all 7 vetoes, backs all alternations in mayor's budget.
Nov 25th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Leaders Celebrate Opening of Wisconsin’s Largest Private Affordable Housing Complex
The Corliss will eventually include 576 affordable apartments across eight buildings.
Nov 21st, 2025 by Graham Kilmer
What’s In the 44 Footnotes Added to Milwaukee’s Budget?
Record number of footnotes reveal what council members are thinking. And who's the new prolific author?
Nov 14th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Marks Up Mayor’s 2026 Budget, Adds Services, Pay Raises
Proposal now subject to Cavalier Johnson's veto pen.
Nov 7th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Unusual Partnership Leads To New Amenities in Jackson Park
Flood plain project yields new space for pickleball.
Nov 6th, 2025 by Graham Kilmer
City Closes ELMNT Lounge
After 7 years in business Common Council revoke its license, but club plans court challenge.
Nov 4th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
A New Solution for City’s Cracked Sidewalks?
Idea proposed by Ald. Coggs would also save property owners money.
Oct 23rd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Recommends Closing ELMNT Lounge
Milwaukee Common Council will take a final vote next month.
Oct 21st, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Milwaukee Has Its First ‘Innovation District’
City aims to cut red tape while Wantable Cafe leader seeks to create tech cluster.
Oct 15th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Changing How It Deals With Habitual Parking Offenders
Those with five or more tickets will receive new treatment from the city.
Oct 10th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
New Rainbow Crosswalks Mark Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ History
Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project leads installation.
Oct 8th, 2025 by Michael Horne
A ‘Mini Zocalo’ for Silver City
Plus: Two projects progressing in Bay View and a new tenant for Company Brewing space.
Sep 14th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Assembly Passes Bills to Restrict Pride Flags
Republicans also approved bills to require state employees work in-person 80% of the time, restrict Medicaid access for undocumented.
Sep 12th, 2025 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Proposal Would Make Attending Street Takeovers Illegal
New citation aims to address growing problem.
Sep 11th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Supervisors Support Age Restriction For THC Derivatives
Sup. Eckblad's proposal pushes local suburbs to adopt Milwaukee rules.
Sep 7th, 2025 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Alderperson Running For Secretary of State
Zamarripa is second to declare for open seat.
Sep 4th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Oaxacan Restaurant Expanding to Clarke Square
Guelaguetza Restaurante Y Barra would replace troubled southside nightclub.
Jul 22nd, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Mayor Signs Housing Legislation, Praises Late Jonathan Brostoff
'Honey Badger' alderman was champion of affordable housing effort.
Jul 16th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Adopts Growing MKE Plan
Now known as 'Housing Element,' plan aims to fight off gentrification, create 'missing middle' housing.
Jul 15th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
After Lengthy Debate, Council Legalizes Carriage Homes
Did Milwaukee just eliminate single-family zoning?
Jul 15th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Federal Grant Termination Forces City Health Department Cuts
Board of Health reveals what programs were cut, initiatives suspended.
Jul 12th, 2025 by Milwaukee Board of Health
Milwaukee Could Implement Age Restriction For Hemp-Derived THC
Delta-8 and similar products do not currently have age restrictions.
Jul 11th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Housing Plan Wins Key Council Committee Endorsement
Revised 'Growing MKE' is not perfect, but council should still adopt it say sponsors.
Jul 9th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Proposed Food Truck Park Wins Key Approval
After a year in limbo, Pali Park is progressing. It's a big change for Water Street.
Jul 2nd, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Milwaukee’s Flag Debate Is Back
New task force would host design contest. Could People's Flag prevail?
Jun 18th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Waters Down Proposed ‘Granny Flat’ Plan
Result: The sponsors of proposal have now become the opponents.
Jun 17th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Downtown Bar Gets 20-Day Suspension
City cites 5 altercations and a Water Street 'melee' at longtime Brother's Bar.
Jun 4th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
‘Growing MKE’ Proposal Picks Up Key Endorsement
New name, revised plan turns one major opponent into a supporter.
Jun 2nd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Council, Community Groups Oppose MPD’s Facial Recognition Plans
But Mayor Johnson backs Milwaukee Police searching millions of records.
May 27th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
City Revises Its ‘Growing MKE’ Plan, Including Changing The Name
A 'benefit and harm analysis' also attempts to address critics' concerns.
May 1st, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Through The Rain, Thousands March For Immigrant Rights
Annual May Day march draws increased attention, attendance due to Trump administration actions.
May 1st, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Council Divided Over Nightclub’s Age Restriction
Council denies Allure's request to lower age limit, despite split vote.
Apr 23rd, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Milwaukee Delays Legalizing Carriage Houses
How the sponsors of accessory dwelling units sabotaged their own proposal.
Apr 22nd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Survey Finds Alarming Number of Milwaukee Homes Need Major Repairs
And one type of property owner is overwhelmingly responsible.
Apr 21st, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Overturns Plan Commission, Recommends ‘Missing Middle’ Housing
But coalition of community groups continues to strongly oppose proposal.
Apr 17th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Committee Backs Return of Granny Flats
Legalizing accessory dwelling units could grow housing across entire city.
Apr 16th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Pérez Reshuffles Council Committees
Addition of new alder Alex Brower prompts changes, restores power to veteran council member.
Apr 9th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Who Will Be Funded by Council’s Transformation Fund?
After 'fighting' and negotiations, council finally picks 15 winners for funding.
Mar 31st, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Approves MPS Police Officer Agreement, But Money Still An Issue
Council has opportunity to spend MPS funding, but on what?
Mar 4th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Talks Education, Public Safety in 2025 State of the City
Upbeat speech also discusses Growing MKE plan, elections and safe streets.
Mar 3rd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Mr. Taco Opens Brick-And-Mortar Restaurant
Food truck-turned restaurant open for business in Clarke Square neighborhood.
Feb 18th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
City Closes La Cueva, Vote Unanimous
Touted as Bartolotta-style restaurant but really a violence-plagued nightclub, alderwoman charges.
Feb 12th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
ICE Can Build Whatever Facility It Wants in Milwaukee
Council learns federal immigration agency can simply bypass local authorities.
Feb 5th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Officials Promote Municipal ID Program
With deportation raids looming, 'easy and simple' process costs $10 for identification card.
Feb 4th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Private School Plans Soccer Field Atop Public Street
Nativity Jesuit wants to build playing field, green space in unusual location.
Jan 29th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Southside Bar and Restaurant Receives 60-Day Suspension
La Caleta, on 18th and Muskego, is closed until mid-March.
Jan 22nd, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
City Closes Southside Bar, a ‘Drug Trafficking Hub’
Ten arrests, eight firearms and a hell of a lot of drugs at El Infierno.
Jan 21st, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Broad Coalition Opposes New Immigration Enforcement Facility
City, county and state officials, community and business leaders condemn ICE proposal.
Jan 15th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
New Mexican Restaurant For Clarke Square
El Caporal aims to become destination for authentic cuisine, live music and soccer viewing.
Jan 8th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
South Side Aldermanic Challenger Fined Over Campaign Literature
Perennial candidate Ryan Antczak admits to knowingly distributing false information.
Dec 15th, 2024 by Graham Kilmer
Cocaine, Chickens Lead to Closing Southside Tavern
Common Council votes unanimously to close El Cielo Bar, effective immediately.
Nov 26th, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
Negotiating Milwaukee’s Police, Fire Contracts Gets Messy
'Sloppy' says a council member as city cycles through labor negotiator nominees.
Nov 26th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Johnson Signs Brostoff’s Final Legislation Into Effect
Johnson pushes for everyone to follow in late alderman's forward-thinking spirit.
Nov 22nd, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
‘Peace Treaty’ Reached on Menomonee Valley Building
Kendall Breunig will get zoning change to redevelop Cream City brick structure.
Nov 19th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor, Common Council Overhauling Housing Authority Board
Four new HACM board members coming in, acting president on the way out.
Nov 12th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Debate Over Future of Vacant Menomonee Valley Building Could Be Reaching The End
Kendall Breunig wants to redevelop a former tin ware factory into housing, but city has opposed him.
Oct 14th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
City Seeks State Funds for Small Businesses
Program would help fund the startup or expansion of small businesses.
Oct 8th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
TIF Funds Will Support New Northwest Side Restaurant
International Variety Restaurant would offer Mexican, Indian, Italian and Chinese dishes.
Oct 8th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Ahead of Biden Visit, Council, DPW Officials Question Efficacy of Replacing Lead Pipes
Data suggests that tackling paint, not water, might reduce lead poisoning faster.
Oct 7th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Again Delays Adopting People’s Flag
Parliamentary moves could delay vote on adoption until November.
Sep 24th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Fast Food and Convenience Store Approved For North Avenue
Power Hour Depot to sell quick meals and groceries in Washington Park neighborhood.
Sep 18th, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
Committee Endorses Making People’s Flag Official, Despite Objections
Concerns about inclusivity of 2016 design contest continue to cloud process.
Sep 9th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
City Closes Jack’s Executive Bistro
Security-involved shooting was final straw for the nightclub on Villard Avenue.
Jul 31st, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
First Key Vote On Zoning Overhaul Scheduled For Monday
Is Growing MKE good to go or dead on arrival? City Plan Commission gets first say.
Jul 26th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Attempt To Expand Disorderly Conduct Fine, Ban Bump Stocks Before RNC Fails
Council members concerned about unintended consequences.
Jul 11th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Super Majority of Council Takes Issue With Mayor’s Handling of Housing Authority
Council members want solutions, plan to "no longer tenable" situation.
Jun 27th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Large Milwaukee Buildings Will Be Required To Conduct Energy Benchmarks
Simply tracking the data expected to trigger process that cuts energy use by 2.4% per year.
Jun 25th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Can City Close Infinity Lounge?
Council votes to close troubled nightclub, but bar is already challenging suspension in court.
Jun 13th, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
Council Hates For-Profit College, But Approves It Anyway
Threat of lawsuit a factor as Arizona College of Nursing seeks to open on West Side.
Jun 11th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
License Division Embraces Power of Babel
Babel Blocks will deliver key information about licensing process in other languages.
Jun 11th, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
Council Retreats On For-Profit College
Opponents call Arizona College of Nursing predatory. Committee decides to allow zoning change for it.
Jun 4th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Adopt-A-Neighborhood Initiative Aims to Uplift Silver City
City aims to boost neighborhood's safety, community engagement and beauty.
May 29th, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
Council Temporarily Bans Late-Night Dining at 27th Street Denny’s
'People fighting over french fries, it's not an alcohol-infused environment,' says alderman.
May 24th, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
Council At Odds On Committee Assignments
But Pérez pledges to install Ald. Pratt as a vice chair within six months.
May 6th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Choice of Committee Chairs Criticized
Council president Jose Perez 'shut all four Black women members out,' Ald. Pratt complains.
Apr 29th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Council President Jose Perez Reelected
Pérez wins by 10-5 vote over Milele Coggs to lead city's legislative body.
Apr 16th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
New Council Most Diverse In Milwaukee History
The largest number of Black, women and LBGTQ+ members in history. Meet all 15.
Apr 15th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Over Objections and a Death Wish, Committee Endorses New Historic District
Full council will render its decision on April 9.
Apr 4th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
2024 Spring Election Results
MPS referendum and county exec, mayor, Common Council and County Board races all on ballot.
Apr 2nd, 2024 by Urban Milwaukee
Proposal Would Allow Food Trucks To Return To W. Capitol Drive
Concerns about traffic safety, litter, prompted ban.
Mar 29th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Meet the Candidates For City Office
And read the analysis of each race and bios for each candidate.
Mar 21st, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
City Spends $77,000 To Resolve Harassment Claim Against Spencer
Embarrassing payoff comes amid city attorney's reelection campaign.
Mar 19th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Lawsuit Likely Over RNC Free Speech Stage
Committee endorses plan despite concerns from Coalition to March on the RNC.
Mar 18th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Concerned RNC Free Speech Zone Could Bring Extremists, Violence
'To hell with that,' says alderman of hate groups getting city-sanctioned platform.
Mar 6th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
New Solar Arrays Will Help Milwaukee Hit 25% Renewable Energy Goal
Arrays near airport help city meet 2025 goal, but alders want tougher rules for We Energies.
Feb 14th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Approves Raises For Elected Officials, Administrators
Vote was 9-6. Elected officials will get 15% hike, non-elected leaders even more.
Jan 17th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Wrong Paperwork Gets County Board Candidate Tossed From Ballot
Ryan Antczak, a former Republican state Assembly candidate, circulated the wrong paperwork for nomination signatures.
Jan 5th, 2024 by Graham Kilmer
Southside Banquet Hall Adding Bar, Restaurant
Pakeng Palace expands, but will continue to host private events.
Dec 19th, 2023 by Sophie Bolich
Mayor Vetoes Controversial Insurance Partnership
Council narrowly endorsed idea, only for Mayor Cavalier Johnson to kill initiative.
Dec 15th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Justin Bielinski Running For Open Seat On County Board
Bielinski running for West Allis-centric seat being vacated by Sup. Tony Staskunas.
Dec 7th, 2023 by Graham Kilmer
Is Milwaukee Being Sold An Insurance Scam?
Or is exclusive contract with company offering water and sewer line warranties a good deal?
Nov 29th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
