Author: Correspondent

State aid to Milwaukee County has remained essentially flat in recent years, despite the fact that the county sends $400 million more in tax revenue to Madison than is returned. County Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., called for a “Fair Deal” with the State of Wisconsin that addresses a growing imbalance in the tax revenue sent to Madison by Milwaukee County and what the county receives back in state support for mandated services. Lipscomb has proposed establishing the “Fair Deal for Milwaukee County Workgroup,” which will be asked to identify and propose options for enhancing the long-term fiscal stability...

The organizers of Startup Milwaukee recently announced Startup Wisconsin, a new initiative to catalyze and build the tech and startup ecosystems statewide. Twelve cities have signed on to the effort which will take place in conjunction with the second annual Startup Wisconsin Week. Startup Wisconsin is committed to advancing and developing Wisconsin’s tech and startup ecosystems through unique programming, collaborative partnerships, and networking. Driven by entrepreneurs and leaders throughout Wisconsin who are passionate about making a difference, and creating a positive and lasting impact that will advance the state’s economy forward. “Wisconsin was built on know-how and an entrepreneurial...

“We consider our volunteers a core part of our mission. Our volunteers, or what we like to call them ‘Peace Builders,’ are integral to our operations. As a volunteer-driven organization, we could not operate without our 2,500+ Peace Builders. This team of passionate individuals creates a place where people know that someone cares. Katie is one of those people. She radiates care and compassion to everyone with whom she interacts.” – Catherine Draeger-Pederson, Executive Director of Friedens Community Ministries Q: How did you become a volunteer? Katie Silva: I was living on the streets, homeless and addicted, when I...

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School recently released a rendering for its upcoming new school location at 1818 West National Avenue in Milwaukee. Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, in collaboration with community partners, will anchor the community by becoming its first high school. The new campus is located in the Clarke Square neighborhood, hosting one of metro Milwaukee’s fastest-growing school-aged populations, and is more strategically and centrally located to better serve students and families. The new location will allow Cristo Rey Jesuit to educate additional children of families with limited financial means. Students at the school have an average household...

Milwaukee County parks, recreational, and cultural facilities face “a seemingly insurmountable backlog of repair and replacement needs,” according to a new report from the independent, nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum. The report, Delay of Game, warns that Milwaukee County lacks the capacity to finance the capital needs of these facilities if it plans to stay within self-imposed borrowing limits and address other capital needs, including the construction of a new justice center. To meet existing capital requests, the county would need to more than double spending on cultural institutions (from $6.2 million to $13.9 million) and increase spending nearly tenfold...

Mayor Tom Barrett presented his 2019 proposed executive budget to Common Council members on September 25. Despite severe budget constraints created by the state, the budget proposal includes significant additional resources to address shared priorities among City officials, community leaders and residents. Among the highlights of this year’s budget is a significant investment in the City’s lead poisoning reduction programs and lead service line replacements. A continued focus on improving housing opportunities, public safety, libraries and other City services were also emphasized throughout the proposal. “The budget squeeze we face – compounded by pensions, public safety costs, and disregard...