MKE mayor at White House
>> RIGHT NOW, ON UPFRONT, THE MAYORS GO TO WASHINGTON. >> they know where you live and knock on your door. >> OUR GUEST THIS SUNDAY, MILWAUKEE MAYOR CAVALIER JOHNSON AT THE WHITE HOUSE. HIS MESSAGE TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. AND THE NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT THE PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS IN MADISON AS GOVERNOR TONY EVERS PREPARES TO DELIVER HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY. >> THEN, BATTLE FOR THE STATE’S HIGH COURT. >> LET’S BE CLEAR HERE. THE MAPS ARE RIGGED BOTTOM LINE. >> STATE SUPREME COURT CANDIDATE, JANET PROTASIEWICZ ONE-ON-ONE. FOUR CANDIDATES LOOKING TO ADVANCE IN THE FEBRUARY PRIMARY, IN A RACE RECEIVING NATIONAL ATTENTION. AND GROWING CALLS FOR A REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION TO RESIGN. >> THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS AND THEY TRY TO GET RID OF ME, THE CONTROVERSY, THE PUSHBACK SURROUNDING MILWAUKEE’S BLACK VOTE. THIS SUNDAY BOTH COMMISSIONER BOB SPINDELL AND DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR LATONYA JOHNSON. >> HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR JOINING US. A BUSY WEEK AHEAD. >> THAT INCLUDES GOVERNOR TONY EVERS PREPARING TO DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TUESDAY. MOST CERTAINLY TO BE INCLUDED, A PUSH TO SEND MORE STATE MONEY TO WISCONSIN CITIES. SOME OF THE NATION’S TOP MAYORS JUST WRAPPING UP THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS WINTER MEETING IN WASHINGTON. A BIPARTISAN GROUP MET WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AT THE WHITE HOUSE FRIDAY. AND THAT INCLUDES MILWAUKEE MAYOR CAVALIER JOHNSON, WHO JOINS US NOW FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. MAYOR, WELCOME BACK TO UPFRONT. MAYOR JOHNSON: thank you very much. >> let’s talk about the issues facing mayors across the nation. What is the message or request you are personally needing the president and his administration to receive right here in Wisconsin? The message I am sending to the entire administration has been this, if you want to see things get done then send resources directly to cities. Mayors are the ones that get things done. Put those resources in the hands of mayors in local cities across the United States and projects will get done. It is the same reason why we need additional revenues and opportunities that way. When we have those things were able to provide services to citizens across the country. That is our message as well, send the resources directly to cities. MATT: Republicans in the state are first to bring up a crime with talking about Milwaukee. I’m curious on the national stage of the perception of Milwaukee you are hearing in Washington. MAYOR JOHNSON: I’ve had the opportunity to speak with mayors across the country. New York to California to Kansas City, Missouri, all across the country. Mayors across this country and their staff and the attendees here of the conference I have been to Milwaukee and they know our businesses, our brands. They also see some of the trends happening in Milwaukee and also taken place in their cities. We’ve had a number of conversations about public safety in our efforts to increase safety. It has been an incredible opportunity for me to learn from them and them to learn for me. See the things we have done to push crime down overall in Milwaukee. 15% year-over-year. GERRON: I want to get to the issue of city funding. You have been spending time at the capital and pushing lawmakers to send more money to cities. If you take us inside the conversations you have been having and the biggest hurdle? MAYOR JOHNSON: I am pleased to have the opportunity to be in the position to carry on this message to bring resources back to Milwaukee. I am blessed to be in the position to work across the aisle, to work with Republican members of the legislator to get things done. A couple of years ago, the answer from the legislature would have been no, never going to happen. Now that is not the case. We are opening the door, building the relationships and members are looking to find ways to deliver resources back to local governments. Milwaukee is happy to lead the charge. GERRON: Republicans want to see accountability from you and the city and see proposals for potential shared services, even privatization, how far you willing to go? MAYOR JOHNSON: my pushback from them is the fact that Milwaukee has been reforming and reforming for some time. We have been a number of things because we had to. I’m happy to lead the charge per year over the years, Milwaukee has cut over 1000 employees to save money. We require our employees to pay more to their health care to save money. Even with all the consolidation and reforms have put in place we have to understand that will not generate enough dollars we need to take care of the city financial issue. We need the support from the states. I’ve been clear asking for not just a local sales tax to put Milwaukee in the same position as cities across America have an option but also, increase shared revenue. The program that worked for decades. GERRON: is privatization on the table? MAYOR JOHNSON: not necessarily but there are areas where there can be consolidation with other governments particularly with Milwaukee County. GERRON: does your first time appearing at the conference. What is the biggest issue facing mayors across the country? MAYOR JOHNSON: mayors are worried about public safety and increase safety and also, economic development and making sure we have strong economies for us to invest and also working to make sure there is access to affordable housing. I was glad to share some of the great things that are happening in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has gotten a lot of airtime here in Washington D.C. since I’ve been here. GERRON: Mayor Cavalier Johnson joining us from the White House. Thank you so much and safe travels back home. COMING UP, THE BATTLE
MKE mayor at White House
Updated: 9:30 AM CST Jan 22, 2023
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson joined bipartisan group of mayors at White House
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson joined bipartisan group of mayors at White House
