Forward Milwaukee County Debunks Myths about Referendum on County Board Pay
On the eve of a Milwaukee County referendum to right-size the compensation of Milwaukee County Supervisors, Forward Milwaukee County set forth facts surrounding the referendum.
On the eve of a Milwaukee County referendum to right-size the compensation of Milwaukee County Supervisors, Forward Milwaukee County set forth facts surrounding the referendum.
Proper Role of County Board. Approval of the referendum will result in a board that focuses its attention on policy and budget issues, rather than day-to-day operations, thus fostering a healthier division of responsibilities between the legislative and executive branches of county government. Despite protestations from defenders of the stratus, quo, the board will maintain checks on the executive, including the ability to set and approve budgets and confirm appointees to key positions.
Is it Really Full-Time? Those who argue we need a full-time board ignore the facts. With a “full-time” board we have a mental health facility in crisis, a Park East corridor in rubbles and little done to address the long-term structural deficit on the horizon. Over the last three decades, Milwaukee County has sold its hospital, contracted out its bus service and outsourced numerous services formerly performed by county workers. The state took over the child welfare, food aid and child care programs. Despite the significant decrease in program oversight and county employment, the board managed to make itself full-time and significantly expand its budget. Analysis of the actual time spent by most supervisors reinforces the part-time nature of the job.
Opening up the Board to Fresh Ideas. A virtue of a part-time, fairly compensated board will be the ability of broader array of citizens to participate in the legislative process. Under a part-time board, supervisors can continue existing employment while serving, similar to other municipal and school boards (as well as Wisconsin’s 71 other counties). No group would be excluded from potential service.
Votes in the referendum have a historic opportunity to empower citizen-legislators, rather than career politicians, by instituting a part-time county board just like every other county in the state. A YES vote will continue needed reforms and set the course for an improved, more efficient and cost-effective county government.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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So who gave “Forward Milwaukee County” the authorization to email county employees about their political agenda? Joe Rice and Sheldon Lubar are names associated with this group, and like the editor of this magazine have an anti-democratic, neoliberal agenda.
The last two elections the literature that was sent to my house was two days late! What is the point and who is paying for the advertisement? You would think they would want to be organized and coordinate the the mailings of the literature better.
Hi,
Agree with your recent advertisement about the April 1st vote “Yes”. There is good news and bad news. First the bad news, I received the flyer on April 3rd. The good news I did vote “yes” on April 1st.
Forward Milwaukee County, Inc. seems just another agency organized by anti-democratic plutocrats. If anyone has failed us, it’s Able, Walker and their little gang of tedious wealthy anti-middle class, racist, anti-education dullards. Thank you.
The excessive pay, fringe benefits and ultimate pension/ life-time family health insurance for the County Supervisors is absurd. NO ONE can afford this and it continues to eat a big chunk out of Milwaukee taxes that could go elsewhere . (Think: Impoverished Inner City, high crime rate, struggling MPS, inadequate care for the mentally ill and homeless, aging infrastructure, lead pipes, etc.) How this body of oligarchs continues its existence year after year without due public outrage is a mystery to me. Milwaukeeans have begun to uncover the untouchable County Board and they must continue to expose it so that citizens can easily see its corruption, gross and unnecessary duplication,and arrogant, nonchalant sense of entitlement. It is really sickening how these folks are trying to hypnotize us into thinking we need 18 full – timers and that their job is on a par with other County employees who legitimately receive things like pensions (like an MPS teacher: no comparison, I’m afraid!).