The Milwaukee County budget process for 2010 is officially finished, as the County Board of Supervisors voted on Wednesday to override 21 of Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s 34 vetoes of the 2010 budget. The board’s veto overrides will increase the property tax levy by $5.6 million, which equates to an increase of 18 cents, meaning county residents will pay property taxes of $4.13 per $1,000 of a home’s value.
Several Supervisors, including Pat Jursik, had come under intense pressure from the group Citizens for Responsible Government, which encouraged its supporters to bombard supervisors with phone calls and emails “encouraging” them to vote how CRG wanted them to vote. Supervisor Jursik is also the target of a possible recall at the hands of a group calling itself “No Tax Increase for Cudahy/South Milwaukee.” It remains to be seen if the group, which was registered by James Toczyl of Cudahy, will attempt a recall of Supervisor Jursik for her failure to vote in lockstep with the wishes of Scott Walker and CRG.
Here’s a list of how Supervisor Jursik voted on some key vetoes by County Executive Walker:
- Voted FOR four extra furlough days for county employees in 2010, bringing the total number of days they’ll be furloughed to 12.
- Voted to FOR Walker’s veto of the County Board Office of Sustainability.
- Voted FOR the elimination of county housekeeping jobs, putting 90 people out of work.
There’s a lot for CRG to like in those three votes alone, so it’ll be interesting to see if CRG and James Toczyl begin an effort to recall Supervisor Jursik.
It is applaudable that you even mention a citizen’s group (not a union) that is against higher taxes at a time when all people are hurting financially. However, you dont even attempt to get any further information from the actual groups. For some reason, and granted I dont know your history with CRG, you disregard any way to get more information. Your bias shows that you cant even speculate that some people dont want higher taxes, but a more fiscally responsible government. If you wanted to know anything other than your own speculations, you could have contacted the group since you say that you have all the contact information, rather than the people who called from blocked numbers and internet calling and hung up. At what point you decided that a citizens group is setup and run by S.Walker I cant figure out. You completely miss the points that were given to you, yet you ignore. Once again I will stress that the entire budget presented to the citizens by both the Executive and Supervisors is an example of give and take politics.
So it would seem that you are calling for a recall of Jursik since you listed the cuts that dont go in step with groups you are affiliated – unions that you may be a member (isnt that a special interest group?). It will be interesting to see if you begin this effort.
While you try to marginalize that the tax increase is $4.13 per 1000 value, you were just several months ago against tax increases – strange. The average property value according to some sources is $151336, so this means a property tax increase of roughly $625. It is one thing to disagree about politics, but a whole other when Zach you are FOR continued increasing taxes, pushing out-of-work or fixed income property owners out of their homes, and irresponsible County budgets (oh wait did I speculate like you do?). This isnt a game or a schtick, you are playing with real peoples homes and lives.
If you think that government should raise taxes every budget then explain your reasoning, instead of using a strategy of only saying what you speculate about other people and never saying what you actually believe and the reasons for that position.
JTozz, I’m not going to be involved in an effort to recall Supervisor Jursik, but I’d love to hear how your effort is going. Do you plan on attempting to recall Supervisor Jursik since she didn’t vote in lockstep with the wishes of CRG and Scott Walker?
Personally, I think Supervisor Jursik’s votes were to be expected, given the current economic climate. There’s no denying times are tough right now, and the supervisors as a group had an unenviable task.
Seeing that you still cant read or understand what I write, I’ll do the same to you.
I will love to hear about your efforts in your recall, good luck in your actions. Please up date the community as to when your union will stop any support of Jursik seeing the way she voted. She didnt seem to vote lock and step with your union so which candidate will you be for in the next election? Glad that you are finally saying that you are for higher property taxes year after year. It is sad that you are in support of her votes seeing that the supervisors increased the furlough days and in your words put 90 people out of work. It is important that your union and the citizens agree that the current budget was really bad, Im glad you admit that. Where can the regular folks that dont pay dues sign up for your recall initiative or union news? Will there be a general meeting that you are calling at the Sugar Maple for all concerned citizens that dont want to see anyone out of a home or a job?
I am positive that you are an intelligent person, but I dont understand why you think it is reasonable to continue this schtick. This isnt your role playing government game (although please write about that since it is interesting). This is real life and I am surprised that you have such disdain towards any adult debate about the issues. Your neighbors and fixed income senior citizens are getting hurt by this and all you can do is some role playing. I call on you as a catholic member of society to take up the cause of the poor and the neighbors your support for the current budget just put out of a job. If you dont support the budget, then say so… stop the games and help your community.
JTozz, the only recall effort I’ve heard about is the possible effort Chris Kliesmet from CRG mentioned, that being the group you registered. What I’m wondering is why you’re so reluctant to admit that you’re involved with that group.
As for my efforts to help my community, I do my part, but thanks for your encouragement!
James, you’d better get that recall moving; the folks commenting on Randy’s blog on CudahyNOW are screaming for it!
James, we’re going to get together at the Sugar Maple this Wednesday for our monthly “social meeting;” you should join us!
Zdubya, I realize your reluctance in mentioning your recall effort before announcing it publicly. Just post here since everyone will be on the hush hush about it. Thanks for organizing it, and all your supporters will look forward to you buying a round at the social.
Ive never stated that I wasnt involved in an effort to support Jursik’s initial vote against the entire budget, in fact as usual you seem not to read any answers but assume that you know what they are.
Ill continue to encourage you as a catholic to support the poor, the senior citizens, and the recently out of work that your involvement with the Supervisor’s vote has caused. Keep up the game playing it is one way not to know when you are in reality. Do you have to opt out of your union since you support the Supervisors increase furloughs and job cuts?
I thought you would appreciate my comment name but instead you dont even refer to it, I know you like games.
James, maybe you should stick with commenting over at Randy’s place, since you’re clearly not ready to jump into the deep end of the pool.
At any rate, good luck with your recall of Supervisor Jursik; I’m sure it will be as successful as the recall of Mayor McCue was!
Nice that you resort to your usual personal attacks when pressed. I understand your not wanting to announce your recall initiative and opting out of unions yet. Keep us all posted on all your positions of the issues … oops.