Semi-good news out of today’s Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors meeting; the Board passed a resolution that would put a referendum question on this Novembers ballot asking the residents of Milwaukee County whether or not they would support a 1% sales tax to replace the property tax levy for parks, transit and EMS services.
I say semi-good news because it passed by a vote of 12-6, which means there aren’t enough “yes” votes at this time to overturn what is assuredly going to be a Scott Walker veto of the resolution. However, one of the new Supervisors, Theo Libscomb, was absent today. How he’d vote is anyone’s guess, but I’d have to assume he’d go with Walker on this one, which leaves the Board one vote shy from overturning the veto.
More later including the actual text of the referendum as it would appear on the ballot this November, and some thoughts about my own Supervisor’s continued obstruction of simply letting the voters have their say on this issue once and for all.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and sons Carter and Colton.
I am a bit disappointed that they are combining the two into one referendum. It will make it a harder sell with this all or nothing approach.
I think that they would have done better keeping them seperate. The transit one would be a more likely thing, and would help Milwaukee much more. And if both passed, all the better.
Actually I think Theo will vote for the referendum.
It is my understanding that Theo would have voted for the referendum if present. As long nobody flips their vote between now and Walkers veto, there should be enough to overturn.
Dan, Theo Lipscomb is solidly in the pro sales tax camp, so we should be able to override Walker’s promised veto. Also, Luigi Schmitt has decided to run for county clerk. Should he win are you willing to relocate to his district to run for the vacant seat. If not you, WHO? Keep up the goodwork
Gerry Broderick
Excellent news about Theo!
It’s going to be important to keep up the pressure however on those Supervisors who didn’t originally vote in favor of the measure, including ours Ken. I’ll have some details on that effort next week.
Sup. Broderick, thanks as always for your kind words and support. I’m definitely committed to working on behalf of all the citizens of Milwaukee County. We’ll see how the election for County Clerk plays out over the next few months. We should get together for sometime soon.