This is breaking news and may be a positive step. After a a group of Dane County mayor's caucused last week in Sun Prairie, including Madison's Satya Rhodes-Conway, city hall issued a press release, Dane County Mayors are coming together to urge the state to increase funding for local governments. Let’s hope they can do more together than they have on their own. Based on their track record, including the city's current administration, I am concerned that none of these politicos have any idea what it takes to effectively lobby the Republican-controlled state legislature.
Based on the press release, it seems like the mayors’ meeting was more about licking their wounds and posturing than about taking any real action to make improvements. Madison’s administration dramatically cut back its lobbying efforts in 2019 and made only the most meager attempts last year when the legislature approved and the governor signed Act 12. This crucial legislation rewrote the long-standing rules on how state aid will be allocated to municipalities in the future, with only the most meager attempts from city hall to have an impact on it. As a result of this new formula for state aid, Madison will receive $29 per capita in 2024 while the average Wisconsin city will receive $195.
Here we are, hoping that this latest push isn’t just political theater. Que Sera, Sera. If you enjoy this content, please like and share. For questions and media inquiries, please comment below, send an email to asaloutos@tds.net or call (608) 345-9009.
© Alex Saloutos 2024.
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