Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Steve Taylor says he supports state legislation reforming Milwaukee County government, but also backed an alternative proposal put forward by opponents.
As discussion continues on dueling efforts to reform Milwaukee County government, County Supervisor Steve Taylor said Tuesday he supports them both. One proposal, which is making its way through the state Legislature, would marginalize the Board of Supervisors' role in many county affairs and put a referendum on supervisors' pay to Milwaukee County voters. Opponents of that bill last week introduced a counter-proposal cutting supervisors' pay, though not as much, and reducing the board's staff by 50 percent. Taylor, who represents most of Oak Creek on the board, has previously endorsed the state bill and voted in favor of the new proposal in a committee meeting Monday. "I cannot cast a vote in Madison but I can in Milwaukee County," …
Friday, April 5, 2013
A forum Thursday night in South Milwaukee spelled out all of the changes under a proposed bill reforming Milwaukee County government.
A possible 2014 referendum on slashing salaries of Milwaukee County supervisors—essentially making them part-time positions—has gotten a lot of headlines in recent weeks. But as those attending a forum Thursday in South Milwaukee heard, it's far from the only part of state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo's proposed legislation reforming county government. Sanfelippo, himself a former county supervisor, explained the rationale behind his legislation to what appeared to be an evenly-split audience of roughly 200 at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. County Supervisor Theo Lipscomb provided counter-arguments, with County Supervisor Pat Jursik, who has not yet taken an official position on the bill, moderating the discussion. Besides supervisor …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The legislator behind a push to make the county board part time will discuss his proposal at a forum, which will also include a counterpoint from a county supervisor, Thursday in South Milwaukee.
The debate over the future of Milwaukee County government will come to the southern part of the county Thursday. County Supervisor Pat Jursik is sponsoring a forum set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave. State Rep. Joe Sanfelippo will discuss his proposal that calls for a referendum on making county supervisor positions part time, while County Supervisor Theo Lipscomb will respond with a counterpoint. "As your representative on the County Board, I have not yet taken a position with regard to this restructuring," Jursik said in a news release. "In order to take a position, I am holding a public meeting to both inform and to obtain your input. I look forward to hearing your questions and …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Steve Taylor and Mark Borkowski, each of whom represent suburbs on Milwaukee County's south side, proposed cutting five supervisor positions and 40 percent off the board's personnel budget.
Two South Suburban county supervisors are proposing their own version of Milwaukee County Board downsizing. Supervisors Steve Taylor and Mark Borkowski on Tuesday released a proposal that calls for the board to be reduced from 18 supervisors to 13 by 2016. In addition, the board's personnel budget would be cut by about 40 percent starting in 2014 and potentially 50 percent by 2016. In an open letter, Borkowski and Taylor said they will be "asking the state Legislature to give us the tools to downsize." "Without this authority, we are not able to take this first step in reforming ourselves," Taylor and Borkowski said. Their plan comes after state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, a former county board member, authored legislation that calls for a …
Friday, January 11, 2013
Bill proposed by state Sen. Alberta Darling and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo calls for binding referendum making supervisors part time and axing salary by 70 percent.
Calling it a plan to help Milwaukee County deal with its fiscal woes, two Republican state legislators on Friday unveiled a plan that would enable voters to decide whether to drastically cut salaries of county supervisors. The legislation proposed by Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo of West Allis would authorize a binding referendum in April that calls for reducing salaries by 70 percent — from about $50,000 to $15,000 — and making the positions part time. "This bill is about local control," Darling said in a press release. "It let's voters decide what's more important: parks or politicians." Darling and Sanfelippo are seeking co-sponsors for the bill, which also would eliminate health care and pension benefits …
Monday, November 7, 2011
Supervisor approves $1.5 million in emergency services subsidies to municipalities, but there are strings attached to deal.
The Milwaukee County Board Monday — on a veto-proof vote of 15-4 — approved a budget amendment that would restore $1.5 million to the county’s Emergency Medical Services subsidy. The amendment was presented by the board’s Finance Committee in response to County Executive Chris Abele’s plan to eliminate the entire $3 million that the 19 county municipalities would have received in 2012 for EMS personnel and training. However, there are conditions on the money: If the municipalities don’t agree to the conditions, the board will withhold the subsidy. Supervisors Mark Borkowski, Willie Johnson, Joe Sanfelippo and James "Luigi" Schmitt voted against the measure. Those backing the amendment said since the funds were county dollars, the board…
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Eyon Biddle lashes out at fellow supervisor's idea.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Eyon Biddle released a statement today calling fellow supervisor Joe Sanfelippo a "comedian" for proposing a part-time county board. "Clearly, my esteemed colleague, Supervisor Joe Sanfelippo, is a comedian. His proposal for a part-time county board is a joke," Biddle's statement begins. Sanfelippo unveiled his proposal, which he says is a cost-cutting measure that would save $850,000 per year, on Monday. But Biddle said county board work requires a lot of "blood, sweat and tears" and that making it part-time would not help county government. "I work hard to represent the diverse needs of the 10th District. I serve with pride and take the responsibilities seriously. It's a round-the-clock job," he said. "…
Monday, August 29, 2011
Joe Sanfelippo proposing big county government reforms.
A Milwaukee County supervisor is proposing a major change in the way county government operates. Joe Sanfelippo is sponsoring a resolution that would make county board positions part-time and reduce supervisors' annual pay from $50,090 to $15,000, according to a news release. In addition, no pension service credit would be provided to any supervisor after the April 2012 election. Sanfelippo, a West Allis resident, says this would save county taxpayers $850,000 per year. "These savings could be used to help preserve safety net services and quality of life programs that are in jeopardy of being cut due to the large structural deficit the County faces in 2012," he said in the news release. "A part-time county board would operate in a fashion …
LuvtheOC
3:11 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
I like the nickname "Steve the South East Sellout". more ›