“I live in the real world. Wishing Republicans held all the power in Madison and acting like it doesn’t make it so. We need to deal with the hand we’re dealt. We have a Democratic governor, and some Republicans who refused to negotiate in good faith. Like any budget, there are things included that I wish weren’t, and things I wished to be included that aren’t. But, overall, this budget is the realization of many long-term goals and concrete wins for Milwaukee and Racine County.”
“Finally! The Governor will sign legislation eliminating the income tax on retirement income after vetoing it twice last year! This has been a priority of mine since 2011. And it’s finally happening! Seniors don’t have to move to Florida or Texas to save their retirement money. They can stay in Wisconsin, spend money, spend time with their grandkids, and help Wisconsin prosper.
“Finally! Governor Evers will sign a middle class tax cut. I’ve lost count of how many middle class tax cuts he vetoed over the last four years.
“Finally! After seven years of no plans and back-of-the-napkin plans from Governor Evers, he will have no more excuses to keep Lincoln Hills open, as there will be more than enough room to house juvenile criminals.
“Finally! We’ll close Green Bay Correctional. We’re not going to do it by releasing people early from prison like Governor Evers wants. We don’t need fancy new prisons or vocational villages. We’re going to right size the prison system by putting inmates in the prison that fits their security setting.
“Finally! We’re correcting a problem that was created the last time Democrats controlled Madison. They decided to stick it to then-Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker by turning over policing of Milwaukee’s freeways to Milwaukee and intentionally underfunded it at $1 million a year and only giving them 17% of citation revenue. We’re going to reimburse them for actual costs, and we’re going finally to let them keep 50% of citation revenue just like every other county. We’re fixing that for Milwaukee County.
“We’re improving public safety by investing in 52 new district attorneys including 12 in Milwaukee County. We’re extending the COP House grant program. We’re funding data sharing between law enforcement agencies in southeastern Wisconsin.
“This budget is full of long-term goals and great wins for Milwaukee and Racine counties. This budget isn’t perfect. No budget is. This budget lives within our means, grows our economy and invests in core priorities. It’s a win for Wisconsin and Milwaukee and Racine counties.”
