November 2005 Bay View Compass Editorial

Dear Bay View Compass Readers,

On Monday, November 7th the Milwaukee County Board adopted the 2006 Budget. After weeks of deliberation and public testimony, the County Board adopted several amendments to the County Executive's Proposed Budget. I sponsored an amendment which addressed the transit fare increases proposed by County Executive Walker. My amendment would have raised fares about one-third of what Walker proposed. I also supported the Finance and Audit Committee's recommendation to restore a majority of funding of the 25% in cuts made by Walker to our Milwaukee County Courts System. I am happy to announce an amendment I sponsored will create the Milwaukee County Inclusive Housing Fund to help build workforce housing within the City of Milwaukee. One million dollars of the net proceeds on the sale of the second parcel of land in the Park East will be placed into this new account. The Milwaukee County Parks Department and Health and Human Services Department did not receive any major cuts in services this year. The final step to the budget adoption process will be the County Board Meeting to take up any vetoes issued by the County Executive on Wednesday, November 16.