MILWAUKEE, WI – After traveling to the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce in November, County Executive David Crowley is ending the year strong with a continued push for a revenue solution just before the holidays. Seeing the next three months as mission-critical to gain additional revenue, the focus for the Move Forward Coalition remains on making sure a revenue solution for Milwaukee County is a priority for legislators as the put together their agendas for the upcoming year.
On Monday, County Executive Crowley visited the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board to discuss the need for revenue and resetting the relationship with the Wisconsin State Legislature.
On Tuesday, County Executive Crowley spoke on the need for additional revenue in order to address public safety needs like courts, sheriffs, and staffing needs at the Community Reintegration Center at the Milwaukee Press Club Luncheon held at the Newsroom pub.
“Without additional revenues that make sure that we can pay our employees, [we are jeopardizing] public safety,” Crowley said in an interview with Wisconsin Examiner after the luncheon.
On Thursday, the County Executive traveled to Madison for series of meetings at the State Capitol. Additionally, he participated in the WisPolitics.com luncheon with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson to discuss their relationship with the Legislature, their openness to meaningful reforms to eliminate wasteful spending, and the need for additional revenue to address public safety needs.
“We’re spending $27 million in our courts, and we’re spending $18 million, right now on youth services, and that cost is going to increase because of the increase in costs, particularly for Lincoln Hills,” Crowley said during the event.
While in Madison, Crowley also visited Wisconsin Eye Studios and spoke with Lisa Pugh for their Newsmakers interview series. Once again, the conversation focused on revenue solutions for Milwaukee County ahead of the 2023 legislative session.
“We can talk about shared revenue, which I think many municipalities need, but in order to fix our gap we would need to increase it by 600% which isn’t doable in any controlled legislature, whether that’s democratic or republican,” Crowley said during the Newsmakers interview.
Budgetary analysis done by the Wisconsin Policy Forum shows the 2023 County Budget is buttressed heavily by an increase in sales tax collections. Yet still, small scale service reductions had to be made in order to close a $12 million structural deficit.
Milwaukee County has proven it can do amazing things to serve its residents if given the resources. To continue to do so, the County needs a sustainable revenue source to make the important investments that will improve quality of life in Milwaukee County.
Without a solution to its funding challenges by 2027, the County will be unable to continue the current services like parks, bus routes, emergency services, arts, senior services, public safety, disability services, and youth services.
Background
Spectrum 1 News: A new session, a new opportunity: Milwaukee leaders continue their push for a county sales tax
12/2/22
Wisconsin Examiner: Milwaukee County Exec discusses challenges at press club luncheon
12/14/22
WUWM: Johnson, Crowley visit Madison to make the case for more state aid to the Milwaukee area
12/16/22
WisPolitics: Milwaukee leaders Crowley, Johnson optimistic about relationship with Legislature
12/16/22
WisEye Morning Minute: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley
12/16/22
Wisconsin Policy Forum: 2023 Budget in Brief
10/14/22
