As lawmakers in Madison are working to fast-track a sweeping agreement between Gov. Tony Evers and Republican leaders that includes education funding, shared revenue, and the ability for Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to raise its sales tax, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson signaled the two-thirds majority vote is not there yet to pass the council. “Look, there’s work to do obviously, and we’ll continue to do that work,” Johnson said in an interview with WISN 12 News Political Director Matt Smith. “I have said consistently anytime there’s been a big question about the city and the city’s future, the Common Council has stepped up and done the right thing. So I have no doubt, I’m very confident we’ll have the votes.” The legislation would allow Milwaukee to raise the sales tax by 2% if two-thirds of the Common Council approve the measure to help fund the city’s unfunded pension obligations and public safety. Seven of the council’s 15 members signed onto a statement criticizing the overall bill lawmakers are set to vote on this week, calling it “overreaching, micromanaging and frankly racist.” The legislation not only gives the council the authority to approve a sales tax hike but also includes several controversial policy provisions targeting Milwaukee including restrictions on funding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, changes to the Fire and Police Commission, and mandating school resources officers in Milwaukee Public Schools. “I’m not necessarily surprised by some of the pushback,” Johnson said. “They are talking about the local provisions that are in the bill that I’ve discussed with you and other folks as well that I’ve got a strong aversion to. I’m not surprised with council members’ pushback.” Johnson said he didn’t have an exact vote count, just noted “there’s work to do” yet remained confident the council will approve the increase.
As lawmakers in Madison are working to fast-track a sweeping agreement between Gov. Tony Evers and Republican leaders that includes education funding, shared revenue, and the ability for Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to raise its sales tax, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson signaled the two-thirds majority vote is not there yet to pass the council.
“Look, there’s work to do obviously, and we’ll continue to do that work,” Johnson said in an interview with WISN 12 News Political Director Matt Smith. “I have said consistently anytime there’s been a big question about the city and the city’s future, the Common Council has stepped up and done the right thing. So I have no doubt, I’m very confident we’ll have the votes.”
The legislation would allow Milwaukee to raise the sales tax by 2% if two-thirds of the Common Council approve the measure to help fund the city’s unfunded pension obligations and public safety.
Seven of the council’s 15 members signed onto a statement criticizing the overall bill lawmakers are set to vote on this week, calling it “overreaching, micromanaging and frankly racist.”
The legislation not only gives the council the authority to approve a sales tax hike but also includes several controversial policy provisions targeting Milwaukee including restrictions on funding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, changes to the Fire and Police Commission, and mandating school resources officers in Milwaukee Public Schools.
“I’m not necessarily surprised by some of the pushback,” Johnson said. “They are talking about the local provisions that are in the bill that I’ve discussed with you and other folks as well that I’ve got a strong aversion to. I’m not surprised with council members’ pushback.”
Johnson said he didn’t have an exact vote count, just noted “there’s work to do” yet remained confident the council will approve the increase.
