County Executive David Crowley
Press Release

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Statement on the 2025-27 Biennial Budget

 

By - Jul 3rd, 2025 10:50 am

MILWAUKEE – Today, Governor Tony Evers signed into law the 2025-27 Biennial Budget that was passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature. The biennial budget includes several priorities that Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley advocated for. That budget includes more than $38 million over the biennium in annual State funding for highway patrol services in Milwaukee County, a service performed by State Patrol and funded by the State of Wisconsin in every other county. It also includes more than $2 million in annual operating dollars to support critical Assistant District Attorney positions in Milwaukee County.

In response to the approved biennial budget, County Executive Crowley issued the following statement.

“When I took office, I worked immediately to strengthen partnerships across Wisconsin to deliver for Milwaukee County. We secured generational revenue reforms, created new public-private partnerships, and built relationships across the Badger State that are making a real difference today. With the biennial budget that Governor Tony Evers signed this morning, I am proud our partnership-centered approach continues to produce results for Milwaukee County.

“The biennial budget passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature and signed by the Governor includes many provisions that I advocated for. For the first time in over 60 years, Milwaukee County will be more fairly reimbursed for state-mandated services that we are required to provide by State law, which will save a significant amount of local taxpayer dollars.

“By working with Governor Evers and state lawmakers like Representative Jessie Rodriguez, Representative Bob Donovan, Representative Bob Wittke, Senator Van Wanggaard, and Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, we secured a dozen Assistant District Attorney positions to address court backlogs and enhance the work of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. The budget also includes funding to support state-mandated highway patrol services in Milwaukee County. Through this budget, Milwaukee County will more equitably share in the distribution of fines and forfeitures issued by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. We also negotiated in good faith with leaders in Madison to decrease the financial impact of administering youth corrections in Milwaukee County, and I am pleased to report that we were successful in this effort. These investments will continue to support existing public safety efforts and lay the groundwork for future investments, like the courthouse complex, while simultaneously saving taxpayer dollars and generating new revenue flexibility in upcoming County budgets.

“As the costs to administer state-mandated public safety services continue to rise, these additional funds are needed now more than ever to make our neighborhoods safer – not just in Milwaukee County, but across all 72 counties in Wisconsin.

“We heard the Governor say it himself: 2025 is the ‘Year of the Kid.’ As an MPS father and alumnus, I am pleased to see a major boost in funding for public education at every age and every stage. This includes the largest increase to the UW-System in nearly two decades and more resources to lower child care costs across our communities. The biennial budget includes a tax cut that working families in Milwaukee County deserve, as well as critical investments in health care, workforce development, and economic development – all major priorities for Milwaukee County.

“I want to thank Governor Evers for always listening to the needs of Milwaukee County and for his steadfast leadership and partnership in supporting our residents and families. I also want to thank legislative leaders, including Speaker Robin Vos, Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, Minority Leader Hesselbein, the members of the Joint Committee on Finance, and the Wisconsin State Legislature for passing a bipartisan budget that delivers for Milwaukee County. In addition, I want to specifically thank Joint Committee on Finance member, Representative Jessie Rodriguez, who spearheaded the effort to secure funding for Assistant District Attorneys and highway patrol services. Finally, I want to thank the businesses, organizations, unions, and various stakeholders for advocating alongside us on behalf of Milwaukee County residents, families, and children. Our community is better off because of the strong partnerships that are moving us forward.”

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.

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