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July 25, 2008
NEWS FROM THE MAYOR
Dear Friends,
WHEEL TAX
Next week the Common Council will vote on a proposed $20 motor vehicle registration fee for City of Milwaukee residents. This so-called "wheel tax" is a bad idea. Let me tell you why:
The sponsors of the legislation have proposed the wheel tax as a replacement for special assessments currently levied on residential and business property owners for street repair. The intent behind the proposal is to address growing street reconstruction and resurfacing problems that face the city. Recent reports have put our street replacement cycle at over 100 years. Years of delays and record snowfall this winter have only exacerbated the problem.
While I agree with the need to increase the street paving program to address the deteriorating street condition, I am opposed to any tax levied solely on City of Milwaukee residents. I do not want Milwaukee to become a "tax island" and I think it's unfair for residents to carry the sole burden on street repair when commercial business owners and others benefit from street repairs.
I have proposed an alternative that will increase the level of street paving but places the cost on the property tax bill. The proposal reduces the special assessment by 37% with a minimal impact on property tax bills- an average increase of $5.12 by 2014 rather than a $20 charge annually for each vehicle in a household. Commercial, manufacturing and property tax exempt properties would pay a portion of the cost and not be given a free ride as they would under the wheel tax proposal.
I will veto this proposal because it is unfair to raise the vehicle registration fee from $75 to $95 for only City of Milwaukee residents. A 26 percent increase in fees is unacceptable.
HOUSING FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE
Earlier this week, officials in Washington voted to provide badly needed financial relief and spare many Milwaukeeans who are facing foreclosure as a result of the national mortgage meltdown.
As part of the legislation, H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, up to $4 billion in funds will be made available to stabilize neighborhoods hit hardest by the mortgage crisis and help residents stay in their homes.
 While Milwaukee is faring better than many municipalities across the country, we are not immune to the national mortgage crisis that is shuttering homes, creating major increases in vacant homes susceptible to fire, vandalism, blight and criminal activity.
I'm very grateful to Senator Herb Kohl and Congresswoman Gwen Moore for their hard work in pushing this legislation. I will continue to work with our state and federal partners to minimize the effects of this housing crisis and help Milwaukeeans keep their homes.
GREAT LAKES COMPACT
This week, the U.S. Congress introduced a resolution approving the Great Lakes Water compact, something I have supported to protect our greatest natural resource, Lake Michigan.
Water defines us. It is central to our economy, trade, industry, health, recreation and quality of life. It is critical to put safeguards in place to ensure that we remain the "Fresh Coast" if we are to continue to attract and expand businesses, visitors and residents to our great city.
I encourage our Congressional delegation to continue its support for this important legislation.
BUDGET HEARING
Just as families across Milwaukee and the country are sitting around their kitchen tables wondering how to make ends meet with food and fuel prices, I'm concerned about how to continue to provide essential, quality city services when our costs are also rising.
Record snowfall this past winter and its effect on city streets, combined with the June flooding have only exacerbated a budget situation already tight as a result in cuts to state and federal funding and other issues.
Next week, I am inviting all city residents, business owners, community groups and others to have a say in how the City of Milwaukee shapes its 2009 budget during a public hearing.
Please join me on Tuesday, July 29 from 5:30p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Washington Park Senior Center (4420 West Vliet Street) for a group presentation by the City of Milwaukee Budget staff and an open group discussion of funding priorities, current fiscal restraints and other issues of consideration.
I value your input as we put together what I expect will be the most challenging budget in the five years I have been Mayor.
Sincerely,
Mayor, City of Milwaukee
Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor
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