Cavalier Johnson, Alderman of the 2nd District, joined local government officials and staff from across the state for the First Annual Local Government and Utility Day on May 10 in Madison.

City and village officials, as well as municipal utility managers, commissioners, and staff were invited to participate in the lobbying and networking event, with a special focus on promoting the critical role quality municipal infrastructure plays in advancing the state’s economy.

“One of my objectives as Alderman in the City of Milwaukee is to represent the good people of the 2nd District both in City Hall and across Wisconsin,” Alderman Johnson said. “We have to change the narrative of Milwaukee, and I have joined with other municipal leaders to talk about some of our most pressing issues with legislators in Madison. An ongoing discussion related to some of the problems facing Milwaukee will hopefully lead to new and exciting policies.”

Alderman Johnson said the overall focus was two-fold:

  1. Re-invest in municipal transportation, water, sewer, electric, and broadband infrastructure; and
  2. Retain and enhance economic development tools like tax incremental financing.

League Lobby Team members specifically talked with their Legislators about the following:

  • Transportation Funding: The League urged the Legislature and Governor to enact a long-term, sustainable solution to funding our state’s and our municipality’s transportation needs.
  • Dark Store/Walgreens Tax Shift: The League supported legislation that Rep. Rob Brooks (R-Saukville), Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) authored to institute rules that ensure fair property assessments.
  • Lead Water Laterals: The League supported legislation that allowed water utilities to fund financial assistance programs for the removal of lead water service lines.

After their meetings at the Capitol, League Lobby Team members were joined by Legislators and heard from Larry Gigerich, Managing Director of Ginovus, a national leader in site selection for businesses.

Milwaukee is a member of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, founded in 1898. The League provides advocacy, legal services and training for Wisconsin’s cities and villages.

The event was hosted by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin (MEUW), Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA), Wisconsin Section of American Waterworks Association (WWA), the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association, and Municipal Environmental Group Water and Wastewater Divisions, and will draw attention to Wisconsin’s critical infrastructure needs.

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Lee Matz