Politics

Dogged by scandals at home, Gov. Walker sets his sights on D.C.

Dogged by scandals at home, Gov. Walker sets his sights on D.C.

“While Gov. Walker continues to campaign full-time for president on the taxpayers' dime, families here in Wisconsin are being left behind.”

And you expect me to remain silent?

And you expect me to remain silent?

Statement from Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. July 13, 2015

Governor Scott Walker Signs 2015-2017 State Budget, Lowers Property Taxes Again

Governor Scott Walker Signs 2015-2017 State Budget, Lowers Property Taxes Again

Today, Governor Scott Walker signed the 2015-2017 State Budget into law, keeping his promise to lower the tax burden for the hardworking taxpayers of Wisconsin.

Rep. Barca Statement on Budget Signing

Rep. Barca Statement on Budget Signing

"... this budget is not a budget for the people of Wisconsin."

Sen. Shilling statement on budget signing

Sen. Shilling statement on budget signing

“Families in Wisconsin deserve better than a part-time governor...”

Review of state juvenile justice system urged in Council file

Review of state juvenile justice system urged in Council file

The Common Council’s Judiciary and Legislation Committee will hear a proposal Monday to ask the State of Wisconsin to conduct a full review of the state’s juvenile justice system. The committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13 in room 301-B at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. Council file # 150104 (attached), sponsored by Alderman Terry L. Witkowski, is item number 11 on the agenda. The resolution urges the State of Wisconsin to undertake a review of the juvenile justice system. It urges the review to focus on: Modernization of penalties. Age-appropriate sentencing. Proper use and supervision of probation and parole. Proper use of incarceration. Data-driven tools for effectiveness, with an emphasis on preventing recidivism and providing deterrence. The measure also directs the Department of Administration, Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate to pursue the review. Alderman Witkowski said Wisconsin ranks as the 7th highest state in terms of referral of students in school to police and courts, with 10.2 per 1,000 students referred compared to the national average of 5.8 per 1,000 students. He said the current state-created system was designed for the 1950s with two-parent households, with one of them staying home to raise children. “This is not close to reality today,” the alderman said. “Today judges release offenders to their parents as in the 1950s, but no one is there to supervise them. They order probation but the number of probation officers has gone down so there is little supervision, and juvenile detention facilities were a state budget cut as the Wales School for Boys, the nearest such facility to Milwaukee, is closed down.” “The juvenile justice system is a state creation and I am asking them to study it and bring it into the 21st century,” Alderman Witkowski said.

A Bold Plan to Address the Crisis

A Bold Plan to Address the Crisis

Statement of Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. July 10, 2015

Arena proposal to be addressed during Tuesday town hall meeting

Arena proposal to be addressed during Tuesday town hall meeting

Alderman Robert J. Bauman will host meeting; Mayor Barrett to deliver presentation on proposal for new downtown arena

Republicans “Double Down” on their Assault on Open Government

Republicans “Double Down” on their Assault on Open Government

“Republicans want to turn our nonpartisan government watchdog into a partisan lapdog.”

GOP renews effort to limit public transparency ahead of Walker announcement

GOP renews effort to limit public transparency ahead of Walker announcement

"Republicans were unsuccessful in their sneak attack on Wisconsin’s open records laws, so naturally their next target is the government watchdog agency that enforces these laws."

Rep. Bowen Demands Action in Response to Escalating Milwaukee Gun Violence

Rep. Bowen Demands Action in Response to Escalating Milwaukee Gun Violence

Rep Bowen Statement on Milwaukee Gun Violence

Citizen victimized twice – first by bad guys, and then by the city

Citizen victimized twice – first by bad guys, and then by the city

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan July 10, 2015