Mike Nichols is a former columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He now works for the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI).

Content referencing Mike Nichols

The State of Politics: Democrats Think Referendum Success Was A Preview of November Win
The State of Politics

Democrats Think Referendum Success Was A Preview of November Win

But conservatives say funding referendum's failure was a result of out-of-state spending.

Proposed Constitutional Amendments a Battle Over Control of Federal Funds

Proposed Constitutional Amendments a Battle Over Control of Federal Funds

Republican legislators seek to reduce governor's longstanding power over this.

Data Wonk: Will Tax Cuts For the Rich Boost Economy?
Data Wonk

Will Tax Cuts For the Rich Boost Economy?

Or help convince people to move to Wisconsin? What the data tells us.

Murphy’s Law: Inside the State’s Conservative Bubble
Murphy’s Law

Inside the State’s Conservative Bubble

The not-very-surprising views of Mike Nichols and the Badger Institute.

Op Ed: Media Groups Lobby for Tax Breaks
Op Ed

Media Groups Lobby for Tax Breaks

Should companies who buy ads from state broadcasters, newspapers get 50% tax credit?

The Contrarian: The Myth of Easy Prison Reform
The Contrarian

The Myth of Easy Prison Reform

It’s caused by misinformation about “non-violent offenders” and “crimeless revocations.”

The Contrarian: The Dark Side of Justice Abrahamson
The Contrarian

The Dark Side of Justice Abrahamson

A great legal scholar, but her style created bitter turmoil on the court.

Op Ed: Road Tolls Are Best Way to Fund Highways
Op Ed

Road Tolls Are Best Way to Fund Highways

Wisconsin could pioneer 21st Century approach to solve the problem.

Wisconsin Free Market Groups: Senate Was Right to Reject Kimberly- Clark Bailout
Press Release

Wisconsin Free Market Groups: Senate Was Right to Reject Kimberly- Clark Bailout

The death of this “pay-to-stay” proposal is a victory for free market principles.

Tax attorney Jay Miller named Badger Institute Visiting Fellow
Press Release

Tax attorney Jay Miller named Badger Institute Visiting Fellow

Says 'there has never been more opportune moment' for Wisconsin tax reform

Value-Added Tolling would address Gov. Walker’s concerns
Press Release

Value-Added Tolling would address Gov. Walker’s concerns

Wisconsin ranks #38 in Reason Foundation's annual report on best and worst state highway systems

Theater: We Need ‘La Cage’ More Than Ever
Theater

We Need ‘La Cage’ More Than Ever

Skylight production of musical shows it’s still relevant -- and tons of fun.

The State of Politics: How to Change the State Tax Burden
The State of Politics

How to Change the State Tax Burden

New report proposes reducing property and income taxes by broadening the sales tax.

Murphy’s Law: The New Right-Wing Media
Murphy’s Law

The New Right-Wing Media

The state is a national leader in creating new conservative publications.

Murphy’s Law: Stealth Conservatives
Murphy’s Law

Stealth Conservatives

Bradley-funded think tank changes its polls and subsidizes Journal Sentinel’s right-wing columnist.

The Chatter: Will Allen Goes Viral
The Chatter

Will Allen Goes Viral

From ABC News to Colbert, everybody is celebrating Will Allen.

The Chatter: The Trial of Chris Abele
The Chatter

The Trial of Chris Abele

Sued by Shepherd Express editor Lou Fortis, Abele goes on the stand for allegedly stealing a film festival.

City Hall Is Worth Every Penny

City Hall Is Worth Every Penny

City Hall Originally uploaded by compujeramey Mike Nichols has an article in the Journal Sentinel lambasting politicians for their failings in properly estimating the cost of projects. Nichols gives me the feeling that he’s upset at Mayor Barrett for the expense of the City Hall and the coming need for a lift of the building (covered earlier on this site). Nichols acts as if City Hall is some giant sink hole that we as Milwaukeeans throw all our money into for no return and that is not an asset to Milwaukee anymore. He imposes upon me that his feeling is that we should have spent millions years ago to remove the wood pilings underneath and replace them with something else. As if the pilings that have lasted more than 100 years were a bad idea from the start, and that people should have known better. That politicians are continually draining Milwaukee of money to fix this building that’s fundamentally flawed. To paraphrase a recent Barrett quote I saw in the Shepherd Express ” it’s not like we’re putting hot tubs in”. Barrett is simply spending the money it takes to keep one of Milwaukee’s greatest landmarks operating and available for future generations. Nichols apparently disagrees with that idea.. It’s also a place some were already calling outmoded back in 1954, one that is now dwarfed by surrounding buildings and will continue to suck up money that could have been used on something new and inspiring.There’s at least the possibility that if taxpayers knew a few years ago what they were about to spend, they would have considered another, fully accessible, internationally admired Calatrava instead. We’ll never know because taxpayers have already made the leap that is now about to carry them all the way into the pilings under the basement. Only, I wouldn’t really call it a leap. It looks more like, without any real discussion at all, they were given a firm, silent, chicken-hearted push. If he’s so upset about City Hall and the money being spent, why doesn’t someone run for Mayor that is for a new City Hall? The simple reason is that a new City Hall would have the same cost overruns without the old world charm and history of the current building. The investment in City Hall is one that will preserve one of Milwaukee’s greatest landmarks. You can’t build 100+ year old buildings whenever you want. The building has stood the test of time and helps give downtown Milwaukee a distinct look and feel that is welcoming to visitors and respected by residents. City Hall doesn’t feature the glass casing like many new urban buildings or the massive parking garage that accompanies many of the large buildings in downtown Milwaukee. The building instead is a tribute to what Milwaukee has grown from, while pointing to the sky to demonstrate where Milwaukee is going to. As each new building rises around City Hall, the value of the distinct look of the building increases. It is […]