Whither MKE Cnty: Referendum? They’ve Already Lied to You!

As State Representative (and former County Supervisor) Joe Sanfelippo fine tunes his referendum to dismantle MKE County government as we know it, he’s now decided to only include the changes to County Supervisor pay and benefits in a binding referendum. This is his suggestion to reduce supervisor salaries to $15,000…

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Whither MKE Cnty: I Suggest New Chats with the Chair!

Milwaukee County Board Chair Marina Dimitrijevic’s tour of Milwaukee county via her Chats with the Chair is a breath of fresh air for county residents. Instead of hiding in the moated community that is the County Courthouse like her predecessor, Chairwoman Dimitrijevic gave county residents a chance to meet her…

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Whither Milwaukee County Government?

My intention was to return from vacation relaxed and raring to go…and start a series on Milwaukee County government. A little history, a little discussion on what it does for us now, some thoughts on the future services it needs to provide, interviewing county government officials, county residents, and other…

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Sizing County Govt: Abele Threatens County Board

Things continue to heat up in the discussion of the role of county government and the size of the county board. Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, obviously disappointed by the boards rejections of a number of his budget proposals and their override of 22 of his 24 budget vetoes, decided…

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What Size Milwaukee County Government?

There is a whole new round of “let’s shrink the county board” going on again. Earlier it was from the conservatives as part of their mantra of smaller government. And certainly the main reason is their desire to reduce the role of the City of Milwaukee and minorities in county…

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Chris Abele Is Campaigning On His Budget?

County Executive Chris Abele’s take on how to do his job continues to be fascinating. His open battles with Sheriff Clarke. His arms length attitude toward the county board. His czarina firing of Sue Black. His lack of communication with the other powers that be in the County Court House…

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County Supervisor David Bowen endorses Nikiya Harris

Yesterday the campaign of Democratic State Senate candidate Nikiya Harris announced County Supervisor David Bowen had endorsed Harris’ campaign to become the next State Senator in the 6th State Senate district. Here’s Bowen’s statement. “Her tenacity and endurance to work for the interest of working people inspires me every day….

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County Supervisors vote to back contract for mental health firm that hired sex offender & other felons

Wow…..just wow. Acting against emotional pleas from mental health advocates, a Milwaukee County Board committee Wednesday voted to extend the contract of a private vendor that knowingly hired a sex offender to work with patients with mental illness. The board’s Health and Human Needs Committee voted 5-2 to keep Our…

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