Uphold Walker's Vetoes

Scott Walker is a rare politician. He keeps his word. He does all he can to make good on his promises.

Here are some excerpts from Walker's Veto Message on the 2008 Budget:

DATE: November 13, 2007

TO: The Honorable County Board of Supervisors

FROM: Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive

SUBJECT: PARTIAL VETO OF FILE NUMBER 07-379 (2008 Budget)

First of all, let me say I am optimistic about Milwaukee County's future. The vetoes I cast today are not because I'm battling the County Board. I am battling against the reality that Milwaukee County finds itself in a fight to keep businesses and families from leaving because our taxes are too high. And while I have great hopes for this County, I know those hopes cannot be realized if we give in to the notion that we need to raise more money through taxes to drive economic development. I believe quite the opposite, we need to take less.

Look at what's at stake with the MillerCoors merger. Do we really believe that more taxes create the best economic climate possible to influence that decision? And what about the American Bowling Congress, will the County Board's suggested tax increases push that decision over the edge?

I would love to see commercials that invite businesses to Milwaukee because Milwaukee is good for business. But we can't send out those kinds of messages, because we keep raising taxes. Milwaukee shouldn't be in the position of having to ask corporations to stay. But we are. And that's why I'm vetoing the items in the County Budget.

...The reaction of taxpayers at the MPS budget meeting should remind us that most people feel we already pay too much to the government. The budget I return to the County Board today not only avoids an increase - it actually provides a slight decrease in the property tax levy.

Keeping residents here in their homes and attracting new residents is good. So is keeping and attracting jobs to our county. Recent census estimates show that even the City of Milwaukee is adding more residents.

Economic growth is important. Last year, we saw more than $1.1 billion in new construction throughout Milwaukee County. To further that growth, and to make the case for businesses like Miller Brewing to stay here, we must hold the line on taxes, which will lower their cost of doing business in our region.

Controlling the tax burden can be done while also ensuring that we continue to provide core services, the kinds of services that make us proud to live in Milwaukee County. Our budget, with these vetoes, seeks to provide these services in new and innovative ways that are more cost effective.

Well done.

Here's Walker's explanation for vetoing the supervisors' pay raise:

I have vetoed this provision because I do not believe this provision should have been considered as a last-minute amendment to the budget, but more appropriately should have been advanced through the Personnel Committee to ensure full public debate of this policy and fiscal matter.

Very well done.

TMJ 4 reports:

The following County Supervisors opposed the raise: Mark Borkowski, Paul Cesarz, Lynne De Bruin, Dan Devine, Patricia Jursik, Joseph Rice, and Jim "Luigi" Schmitt.

The following County Supervisors voted to raise their own salaries: Gerry Broderick, Toni Clark, Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, Marina Dimitrijevic, Lee Holloway, Willie Johnson Jr, Michael Mayo, Richard Nyklewicz, Roger Quindel, John Weishan, Peggy West, and James White.

Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway explains why he believes supervisors deserve a raise.

“As chairman of the board, I want my colleagues to be enthusiastic about doing their job. I think they have sacrificed enough, and I think it’s fair for them to receive a pay raise,” County Board Chair Lee Holloway said.

...“Well, I think because the county is in financially hard times, the supervisors didn’t necessarily bring that on. Every county is in hard times,” Holloway said.

Holloway said it's not about the money.

The $156 a month doesn't really mean that much, Holloway says in a letter to fellow supervisors.

"What does mean something, however, is that the legislative policy-making branch of county government has a positive sense of self worth," he wrote, in an effort to shake loose one more vote to override County Executive Scott Walker's veto of the 4% boost.

No raise would make it hard for supervisors "to continue to act progressively.. when their salaries continue to be frozen for more than a decade -- thereby diminishing their worth," he said.

Holloway was silent in his letter on the reason supervisors might harbor feelings of inadequacy. However, some say they're tired of the endless flack they've gotten over the 2002 pension scandal.

The board's last raise came in 2000 and unless this one is approved, supervisor pay would stay at the same $50,679 until 2012. That's because pay raises don't go into effect until after the next election and the effective deadline for approval before the April 2008 election is Dec. 1, according to county lawyers.

So the county supervisors have self-esteem issues, all due to their lack of a pay raise. Instead of a raise, maybe they should go on a retreat or starting keeping journals, explore their inner selves and feelings.

Holloway claims this slap in the face will make it hard for the supervisors "to continue to act progressively."

Oh, come on.

For a part-time job, supervisors make a pretty good salary.

In any event, supervisors should uphold Walker's vetoes. In the long run, tax increases hurt the county much more than they help.
__________________

Find your supervisor.

Phone: 414-278-4222