Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Press Release

Newly enacted state law yet another power grab

Statement of Alderman Cavalier “Chevy” Johnson - June 12, 2018

By - Jun 12th, 2018 11:25 am

As Milwaukee strives to improve the beauty of our neighborhoods, state lawmakers have once again foisted a power grab upon us. The recently-enacted Wisconsin Act 317 would delay the City’s efforts to abate quality of life issues in our community.

This statute requires the City to notify a property owner via first class mail (or e-mail if provided) to mow their tall grass or remove curbside, bulky debris. The state law also mandates an impractical deadline for response which would further hamper cleanup efforts. This eliminates the previous, successful practice of the City posting a notice then tending to the eyesore and charging a special assessment fee if there was no compliance.

In addition to delaying clean-up of problem areas, the Office of the City Attorney (reference attached) found that Wisconsin Act 317 adds postage costs to our efforts to hold violators accountable and amounts to an unfunded mandate.

In a time when City Departments, the Common Council and community members work to enhance neighborhoods through sound policy, agency coordination and neighborhood clean ups – the last thing we need is another burdensome law coming from the state Legislature: one that tells us literally how to keep our yards clean.

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.

Mentioned in This Press Release

Comments

  1. Dennis says:

    Who really is the party of local control. Oh yeah, thats only when its suits their agenda. Republicans have shown over and over that its “do I say, not as I do”.

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