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Content referencing Tony Staskunas

Murphy’s Law: Can Rep. Clancy Win Reelection?
Murphy’s Law

Can Rep. Clancy Win Reelection?

Incumbent Democratic faces heavy opposition from his own party backing challenger Jarrod Anderson.

Transportation: Should MCTS Take Over Operation of The Hop, Other Transit Systems?
Transportation

Should MCTS Take Over Operation of The Hop, Other Transit Systems?

MCTS officials are considering bidding to operate the systems as a move to create a regional transit authority and financial security.

Murphy’s Law: The Return of County Cronyism
Murphy’s Law

The Return of County Cronyism

Or maybe it never went away. Push for 36% salary hikes echoes mentality behind infamous county pension plan.

MKE County: Meet The New Milwaukee County Board
MKE County

Meet The New Milwaukee County Board

When the next legislative cycle begins, there will be four new supervisors.

MKE County: Crowley Vetoes Big Salary Hikes for Elected Officials
MKE County

Crowley Vetoes Big Salary Hikes for Elected Officials

36% pay hikes passed by board are 'unprecedented and irresponsible,' Crowley chides.

MKE County: Board Approves Unprecedented Pay Raise For Elected Officials
MKE County

Board Approves Unprecedented Pay Raise For Elected Officials

Board approves unprecedented 36% salary increases for elected officials without saying a word.

MKE County: County Board Wants Ceasefire In Gaza, But Only By A Narrow Margin
MKE County

County Board Wants Ceasefire In Gaza, But Only By A Narrow Margin

Fight over underlying language divides board.

MKE County: Supervisors Seek Even Bigger Raises For County Officers
MKE County

Supervisors Seek Even Bigger Raises For County Officers

Committee unanimously supports a $33,000 raise for all three constitutional officers.

MKE County: Joint City-County Housing Committee Gaining Support
MKE County

Joint City-County Housing Committee Gaining Support

County Board committee provides first county approval for joint housing initiative.

MKE County: County Treasurer Dave Cullen Announces Reelection Bid
MKE County

County Treasurer Dave Cullen Announces Reelection Bid

With many endorsements, Cullen faces Ted Chisholm in Democratic primary.

MKE County: Board Approves Much Debated Health Travel Program, Once Focused On Abortion
MKE County

Board Approves Much Debated Health Travel Program, Once Focused On Abortion

Proposal began as attempt to pay for travel costs related to out of state abortions.

MKE County: Justin Bielinski Running For Open Seat On County Board
MKE County

Justin Bielinski Running For Open Seat On County Board

Bielinski running for West Allis-centric seat being vacated by Sup. Tony Staskunas.

MKE County: Board Adopts 2024 Budget, Setting Up Battle With Crowley
MKE County

Board Adopts 2024 Budget, Setting Up Battle With Crowley

The county executive's administration has already pushed back against some of the amendments.

MKE County: Sheriff Inquiry Leads to Board Fracas
MKE County

Sheriff Inquiry Leads to Board Fracas

Board removes jail inquiry from committee after process falls apart. Issue will go to full board.

MKE County: Board Approves Transgender Sanctuary Designation
MKE County

Board Approves Transgender Sanctuary Designation

Plus: Union-made vehicle policy, Jail Visitation Study, and multi-lingual communication resolution all approved by board.

MKE County: After ‘Neither Dignity Nor Value’ Comment, Staskunas Wants Clancy Out As Law Enforcement Committee Chair
MKE County

After ‘Neither Dignity Nor Value’ Comment, Staskunas Wants Clancy Out As Law Enforcement Committee Chair

Staskunas irked by Clancy's recent comments about police work having no "dignity or value."

MKE County: Committee Advances Medical Travel Fund, Which Could Include Abortions
MKE County

Committee Advances Medical Travel Fund, Which Could Include Abortions

Modified version of earlier proposal would pay for travel, not health care.

MKE County: Sup. Tony Staskunas Won’t Seek Re-Election
MKE County

Sup. Tony Staskunas Won’t Seek Re-Election

The West Allis supervisor has served on the board since 2013.

MKE County: Board Wants Solution to Housing Voucher Discrimination
MKE County

Board Wants Solution to Housing Voucher Discrimination

But county attorney believes options are limited. Departments directed to find solutions.

MKE County: County Board Approves Sales Tax
MKE County

County Board Approves Sales Tax

County joins city in adopting new sales tax designed to avert fiscal cliff after years of declining state aid.

MKE County: Committee Rejects Housing Voucher Incentives
MKE County

Committee Rejects Housing Voucher Incentives

Housing advocates concerned landlord incentives would mean county giving up on enforcing housing protections.

MKE County: County Could Pay For Old Loomis Road Repair, After Rejecting State Funding
MKE County

County Could Pay For Old Loomis Road Repair, After Rejecting State Funding

New Sup. Kathleen Vincent seeks repairs stymied by former board.

MKE County: Board Approves Jail Probe, Opposes Brewers Subsidy
MKE County

Board Approves Jail Probe, Opposes Brewers Subsidy

Plus: Board sends abortion proposal to attorney's for additional review

MKE County: Will Old Loomis Road Finally Be Fixed?
MKE County

Will Old Loomis Road Finally Be Fixed?

Supervisors reconsider road repair after turning down state funding for project two years ago.

MKE County: Committee Rejects Abortion Travel Fund
MKE County

Committee Rejects Abortion Travel Fund

With Republican legislators watching Milwaukee's every move, supervisors reject proposal.

MKE County: Board Approves Harley Park Deal
MKE County

Board Approves Harley Park Deal

Plus: County board approves Juvenile Justice Center redevelopment, Sherman Park projects and settlement for opioid lawsuit.

MKE County: Is Hales Corners Ice Rink Project Dead?
MKE County

Is Hales Corners Ice Rink Project Dead?

The leader of private/public project says so, now that county demands its $75,000 back.

MKE County: Board Almost Blocks Juvenile Justice Funding
MKE County

Board Almost Blocks Juvenile Justice Funding

A majority of supervisors voted to hold on a $42 million contract without appearing to know what the impact would be.

County Supervisors Commend Bruce Colburn on Long Career Fighting for Workers’ Rights
Transportation: County Board Rejects The ‘Fix at Six’
Transportation

County Board Rejects The ‘Fix at Six’

Board still maintains a policy of opposition to I-94 expansion, but won't support this alternative.

MKE County: Board Considering Abortion Referendum, Again
MKE County

Board Considering Abortion Referendum, Again

Board would place question on April ballot after failing to approve November election proposal.

MKE County: Crowley Vetoes Lake Park Bluff Proposal
MKE County

Crowley Vetoes Lake Park Bluff Proposal

Should neighbors have rights to maintain bluff forever? Crowley says no.

MKE County: County To Seek Historic Designation for Domes
MKE County

County To Seek Historic Designation for Domes

Board wants National Register of Historic Places listing. A first step toward saving Domes?

MKE County: Crowley Vetoes Downtown Roller Rink
MKE County

Crowley Vetoes Downtown Roller Rink

Roller rink in Red Arrow Park won't happen this summer, but idea may not be dead.

MKE County: Board Approves Two Fall Referendums
MKE County

Board Approves Two Fall Referendums

A third referendum gauging public support for legal abortion did not pass.

MKE County: Supervisors Debate Unpaid Jail Labor
MKE County

Supervisors Debate Unpaid Jail Labor

Current policy gives sentence reductions for labor performed; Clancy pushes resolution declaring unpaid labor is 'immoral.'

MKE County: Downtown Roller Rink Looks Unlikely
MKE County

Downtown Roller Rink Looks Unlikely

Board struggles to find funding, plan lacks true budget and rink won't be ready for this summer.

MKE County: Nicholson Shuffles Board’s Leadership
MKE County

Nicholson Shuffles Board’s Leadership

Chairwoman resets board's balance of power, and punishes a rival, with new committee assignments.

MKE County: Committee Opposes Minimum Bail Bills
MKE County

Committee Opposes Minimum Bail Bills

Rejects Sup. Longdon’s push to support state legislative bills that increase bail.

MKE County: Board Okays New Jail Phone Call Policy
MKE County

Board Okays New Jail Phone Call Policy

Amended resolution slowly lowers cost of phone and video calls for jail and HOC inmates.

MKE County: Board Debates Free Jail Phone Calls
MKE County

Board Debates Free Jail Phone Calls

Studies show it reduces recidivism. But could cost millions, with complicated practical details.

MKE County: 9 Supervisors Unopposed For 2022
MKE County

9 Supervisors Unopposed For 2022

Deadline is one week away and nearly 70% of districts have just one candidate running.

MKE County: Board Adopts New Supervisory Map
MKE County

Board Adopts New Supervisory Map

After jettisoning their independent process, the board adopted a new map during a marathon meeting Friday night.

MKE County: County Board Committee Backs Redistricting Maps
MKE County

County Board Committee Backs Redistricting Maps

After rejecting independent redistricting committee, supervisors pick two maps they like.

MKE County: Board Takes Over Redistricting, Rejects Independent Effort
MKE County

Board Takes Over Redistricting, Rejects Independent Effort

Board rejected third and final map from its Independent Redistricting Committee.

MKE County: Independent Committee Submits Final Map for Supervisor Districts
MKE County

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.

Board of Supervisors Rejects First Draft of New Supervisory District Maps
MKE County: So Much For An Independent Redistricting Process
MKE County

So Much For An Independent Redistricting Process

County committee rejects its own independent redistricting committee's recommendations.

MKE County: Board Approves Mental Health Crisis Team
MKE County

Board Approves Mental Health Crisis Team

Partnering sheriff's deputies and mental health professionals. But some supervisors opposed creating new Sheriff's Deputy positions.

Murphy’s Law: County Micro-Managing At Its Worst?
Murphy’s Law

County Micro-Managing At Its Worst?

Board proposal to oversee all county parks bike trail changes is a head scratcher.

MKE County: Supervisors Push To Be Bike Trail Czars
MKE County

Supervisors Push To Be Bike Trail Czars

Parks committee approves resolution giving it approval power over bike trails maintenance, alterations.

County Board Adopts Resolution Reducing Marijuana Possession Penalty
Supervisors Denounce Violence and Discrimination Against Asian Americans
Judiciary Committee Approves Proposal to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalty
MKE County: County Freeway Speed Limits A Danger?
MKE County

County Freeway Speed Limits A Danger?

Sudden changes in speed limits, outdated infrastructure cited as problems. County Board will investigate problem.

MKE County: Does the Wisconsin Counties Association Help Milwaukee?
MKE County

Does the Wisconsin Counties Association Help Milwaukee?

Some county officials say no, and are pushing to withdraw from the group.

Supervisors’ Statement on the Passing of Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron
Housing Funding Lacking Despite ‘Right To Shelter’

Housing Funding Lacking Despite ‘Right To Shelter’

Ending homelessness in Milwaukee County will require additional resources.

MKE County: Board Adopts 2021 Budget
MKE County

Board Adopts 2021 Budget

Tax levy increase of 0.59%, many amendments and delays to electric buses and hemp growing.

MKE County: Supervisors Want Chokehold Ban Codified
MKE County

Supervisors Want Chokehold Ban Codified

Sheriff's Office does not oppose a chokehold ban, but has reservations about self-defense prohibition.

The Rock Sports Complex: Franklin Finally Addresses Noise Pollution
The Rock Sports Complex

Franklin Finally Addresses Noise Pollution

After years of residents' complaints and pressure from Milwaukee County, Franklin city officials take action on sports complex.

Supervisor Patti Logsdon Announces Extension of Rawson Avenue Reconditioning Project
MKE County: Nicholson Picks New Board’s Leaders
MKE County

Nicholson Picks New Board’s Leaders

While new board chair rewarded some allies, some who opposed her retained positions.

Nicholson Elected County Board Chairwoman

Nicholson Elected County Board Chairwoman

Marcelia Nicholson beats Willie Johnson, Jr. out for leadership of the county board.

MKE County: Supervisors Question Couture Project
MKE County

Supervisors Question Couture Project

Staskunas says county should consider other options, doubts 44-story tower will happen.

Milwaukee County Announces Upcoming Budget Public Engagement Sessions
Press Release

Milwaukee County Announces Upcoming Budget Public Engagement Sessions

Four sessions in partnership with Milwaukee County Supervisors provide forum for residents to share priorities and weigh in on new revenue options

County Board Okays Pot Referendum

County Board Okays Pot Referendum

Hope is that advisory referendum will push state legislators to act.

Chairman Lipscomb Announces Committee Assignments
Press Release

Chairman Lipscomb Announces Committee Assignments

Standing committees typically meet every month, prior to the County Board meeting.

Vote Today; Key Races Will Be Decided

Vote Today; Key Races Will Be Decided

A breakdown of everything on Milwaukee ballots.

Vote for Supreme Court, County Board Tuesday

Vote for Supreme Court, County Board Tuesday

One county board race and a hotly contested race for state's highest court.

Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Opposes Paid Parking in County Parks
Press Release

Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Opposes Paid Parking in County Parks

"We certainly need innovative ideas for generating new revenue, but we shouldn't be creating obstacles for all people to enjoy our public parks."

County Board Candidate Johnson Vows To Kill Paid Park Parking
Press Release

County Board Candidate Johnson Vows To Kill Paid Park Parking

"People should be enjoying the parks, not worrying if they have to go plug a meter."

County Board Declines Accountability Vote on Wheel Tax
Press Release

County Board Declines Accountability Vote on Wheel Tax

"It is important that each elected official be asked each budget year to go on the record to vote in favor of authorizing or ending the wheel tax."

Keg Tappings on Wednesday will mark halfway point of beer garden season & celebrate $20,000 of park upgrades
Press Release

Keg Tappings on Wednesday will mark halfway point of beer garden season & celebrate $20,000 of park upgrades

Beer gardens are continuing to help fund upgrades and improvements to parks throughout the county.

Eyes on Milwaukee: County Board Okays Bid for Streetcar
Eyes on Milwaukee

County Board Okays Bid for Streetcar

Despite long odds against winning, county will submit bid to the city.

Sheriff Clarke Rejects Invitation to Meet with Judiciary Committee
Press Release

Sheriff Clarke Rejects Invitation to Meet with Judiciary Committee

Members of the Committee released a joint statement regarding Clarke's absence.

County Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Opposes $60 Wheel Tax
Press Release

County Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Opposes $60 Wheel Tax

"It is regressive, it's much higher than other wheel taxes around the state, and it is an extreme burden on those with multiple vehicles."

Enough! It’s Time to Tear Down the Estabrook Dam
Press Release

Enough! It’s Time to Tear Down the Estabrook Dam

For years, there has been a consensus among the Milwaukee community that the dam should be removed.

Board Chairman Lipscomb Announces Standing Committee Assignments for the 2016-2018 term
Press Release

Board Chairman Lipscomb Announces Standing Committee Assignments for the 2016-2018 term

I am excited to announce the historic appointment of Supervisor Peggy A. West as Chairwoman of Milwaukee County’s Finance Committee.

Could Abele Sell County Parks?

Could Abele Sell County Parks?

Abele says he won’t, but state law allows sale of 43 parks. Supervisors move to bar this.

County Will Allow Politics in Parks

County Will Allow Politics in Parks

“Bizarre” ban on political activity had restricted free speech for more than a decade.

Board Makes the Right Decision to Not Fund John Doe II Appeal
Press Release

Board Makes the Right Decision to Not Fund John Doe II Appeal

Minority Group of Supervisors Successfully Blocks Funding Proposal

Marcus Center Cast Into Limbo

Marcus Center Cast Into Limbo

No one seems to agree with Abele's plan to have it absorbed by sprawling Wisconsin Center District.

Taxpayers on hook for County Supervisor John Weishan’s legal tab
Citation

Taxpayers on hook for County Supervisor John Weishan’s legal tab

Taxpayers Lose Nearly $10,000 to County Supervisor’s Legal Bills
Press Release

Taxpayers Lose Nearly $10,000 to County Supervisor’s Legal Bills

Today a Milwaukee County Supervisor had a solid victory over the taxpayers.

County Board Invoices Taxpayers for Living Wage Ordinance
Press Release

County Board Invoices Taxpayers for Living Wage Ordinance

Taxpayers deserve an explanation from Rep. Bowen

County Board Pushes Seniors on the Bus; Kicks Financial Warnings to the Curb
Press Release

County Board Pushes Seniors on the Bus; Kicks Financial Warnings to the Curb

"While we want to see our transit system improved, I worry that the GO Pass, which was largely opposed by Milwaukee’s senior community, will eventually cause fares to increase at the expense of all other riders."

Op-Ed: Don’t Sell O’Donnell Park
Op-Ed

Don’t Sell O’Donnell Park

The proposed plan is being sold as a chance to simply get bids from buyers, but it's really about selling our heritage to private developers.

Murphy’s Law: The County Board’s Anti-Environmental Boondoggle
Murphy’s Law

The County Board’s Anti-Environmental Boondoggle

Its Estabrook Dam decision will cost taxpayers millions and harm environment.

County Board Offered Opportunity to Save Taxpayers $10 Million
Press Release

County Board Offered Opportunity to Save Taxpayers $10 Million

Abele Asks Supervisors to Stop Pension Overpayments

Op-Ed: New Plan to Sell O’Donnell Park Is A Mistake
Op-Ed

New Plan to Sell O’Donnell Park Is A Mistake

Proposed resolution would allow county to sell O’Donnell Park for redevelopment by any private developer.

Sup. Staskunas Supports O’Donnell Park Sale to Northwestern Mutual
Press Release

Sup. Staskunas Supports O’Donnell Park Sale to Northwestern Mutual

Confident that NM Will Keep Promises on Open Space, Public Parking

The State of Politics: Candidate Questionnaires Tie Legislators’ Hands
The State of Politics

Candidate Questionnaires Tie Legislators’ Hands

Interest groups demand them. Politicians hate them. The result is less compromise on issues.

Murphy’s Law: Why Moderates Are Extinct
Murphy’s Law

Why Moderates Are Extinct

The retirement of Petri, Ellis and Cullen suggests neither party has room for moderates.

Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Expresses Concern Over Southridge Bus Stop
Press Release

Supervisor Anthony Staskunas Expresses Concern Over Southridge Bus Stop

Says Southridge Management Should Reconsider Bus Stop Move

Supervisors Say “It’s Time to Move Forward on Transit”
Press Release

Supervisors Say “It’s Time to Move Forward on Transit”

They Urge the County Executive to Issue a New Transit RFP

Statement of Supervisor Tony Staskunas Regarding Review Panel’s Rejection of Transit RFP
Press Release

Statement of Supervisor Tony Staskunas Regarding Review Panel’s Rejection of Transit RFP

Milwaukee County Supervisor Tony Staskunas, Vice Chair of the Administrative Determination Review Committee, Issued the Following Statement on the Committee's Rejection of a Transit RFP

The State of Politics: Drunk Driving Becomes Campaign Issue
The State of Politics

Drunk Driving Becomes Campaign Issue

Issue of whether to make first-time OWI a crime is hot issue in attorney general race.

Plenty of Horne: Campaign Season Kicks Off
Plenty of Horne

Campaign Season Kicks Off

Politicos flock to Jon Richards fundraiser, and judicial candidate Janet C. Protasiewicz's event.

Murphy’s Law: The Nuclear Option
Murphy’s Law

The Nuclear Option

Supervisors nuke Chris Abele’s staff salaries. Will this hurt the county?

Murphy’s Law: Why Governments Never Cooperate With Each Other
Murphy’s Law

Why Governments Never Cooperate With Each Other

Chris Abele seeks to improve efficiency through cooperative ventures with municipal governments. Will the county board resist?

Murphy’s Law: Winners and Losers
Murphy’s Law

Winners and Losers

It was a good election for Scott Walker and conservatives but there were some bright spots for liberals.

RTA – On Hold For Now

RTA – On Hold For Now

Any hope for a regional transit authority in southeastern Wisconsin is on hold, as the Wisconsin State Legislature adjourned without passing a transit bill of any form for southeast Wisconsin. The bill, AB282, was close to passage in the Assembly, but lacked a few key votes from Milwaukee-area Democrats, notably Representatives David Cullen, Peggy Krusick, and Anthony Staskunas.

RTA Will Be a Last Minute Decision

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.

The Roundup: Lautenschlager’s Mess
The Roundup

Lautenschlager’s Mess

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager’s drunk driving arrest last week removes her from behind the wheel of her state-owned vehicle for a year, and puts Governor Jim Doyle in the driver’s seat. The two had squabbled, privately, over terms of the Governor’s jobs bill, with Lautenschlager threatening to use her authority to see that the law comply with the state’s environmental regulations, which she intimated it did not. This sort of independent action by an attorney general is not new in Wisconsin. Doyle was the chief practitioner of it, but then again, he was a Democrat, and the Governor at the time was a Republican. The press has made note that Doyle suggests Lautenschlager forgo some of her pay as a sort of penance for her indiscretion, a matter that remains unresolved at this time. Doyle also suggested that Lautenschlager consider entering a program to treat problem drinkers. He said that he had a number of friends who had been in a similar situation and that the treatment had helped them. In fact, the public admission of guilt and responsibility (which Lautenschlager made) is usually accompanied these days with a prompt acknowledgement that a problem exists. The subject then usually promptly enters a treatment program and completes it, after which the matter is forgotten. Lautenschlager has not made that admission thus far, which leaves her in the position of either not having a “problem” or being “in denial” of it. It does leave Doyle high and dry, however, and much less likely to face interference in his plans from that peskiest of all politicians – an ambitious Attorney General. Walker at the War Memorial County Executive Scott Walker welcomed about 100 well-clad guests to a fundraiser February 26th at the War Memorial Center. The strictly upper-crust affair was a Republican-type fundraiser, which meant that hard liquor was consumed (in moderation) and beer, for the most part, was ignored. For those fans of the frothy stuff, Walker offered Miller products and Heineken. Food was by Ellen’s Prestige Catering, and included strolling waiters, another classy touch. Menu items included spinach somethings, meat and melted cheese on sandwich rounds, wrapped up little salmon tidbits, an entirely unsuccessful raspberry-brie tart, platters of some kind of 21st century sandwich product along with perfectly delicious fruit. The event was unmarred by public oratory, but was enhanced by an A-list of locals practicing up for the next time Bush is in town. Among the exalted: George Dalton, Dennis Kuester (on crutches), Michael Cudahy, mourning the recent death of Daniel Urban Kiley, creator of the $4 million Cudahy garden outside the adjacent Milwaukee Art Museum, Fred Luber, Tim Hoeksma, Carol Skornicka, John Finerty, Jim Weichmann, Joe Rice, Mary Buestrin, Corey Hoze and developer Mark Irgens. Hoze has secured speaker Dennis Hastert to appear at a $2000 fundraiser on his hopeless behalf in his upcoming congressional campaign. That’s rich. Marvin Pratt popped in and worked the crowd for about 20 minutes before his cop told him it was time to […]