Alderman Burgelis Responds to Senator Wanggaard’s Misguided and Misleading Attacks on Milwaukee

Alderman Peter Burgelis, who represents Milwaukee’s southwest side and serves as Vice Chair of both the Public Safety and Health Committee and the Finance and Personnel Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council, today issued the following statement in response to Senator Van Wanggaard’s press release on the City of Milwaukee’s finances:

“Senator Wanggaard’s comments show a troubling pattern of political theater over genuine problem solving. Instead of contacting the City Comptroller, Budget Office, or my office, he chose to issue misleading statements that ignore the law and misinform the public.

The City of Milwaukee follows Act 12 exactly as written: pension stabilization first, then investment in public safety. By law, Act 12 revenues cannot be spent on wages. To suggest otherwise is simply false.

What makes Senator Wanggaard’s political grandstanding especially disappointing is that I have repeatedly invited him to community meetings in the very neighborhoods we both represent portions of. I have offered opportunities to collaborate and share information directly. Those invitations have gone unanswered. It’s difficult to take seriously claims of ‘concern’ from someone who won’t even sit down with the people most affected.

As Vice Chair of both the Public Safety and Health Committee and the Finance and Personnel Committee, I know firsthand that Milwaukee’s use of Act 12 funds is transparent, verified, and documented. Act 12 already requires an automatic audit by the legislature.

Milwaukeeans deserve leaders who will roll up their sleeves, ask questions in the proper forums, and work together on solutions. What they don’t need is more political gamesmanship at their expense.”

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.