Protecting the Board of Estimates

In the next 60 days, on May 17, 2016, the Madison Common Council plans to enact drastic changes in the structure of city government. The so-called "City Government Reform Initiative" was announced on March 16, 2016. It removes from the mayor the authority to make alder committee appointments.

More importantly, the initiative strips the mayor of the authority to appoint the Board of Estimates and to serve in a tie-breaking role.

Part of the rationalization for the changes is the balance of powers between the legislative and executive branches. Of course, the structure they envision takes place when there are two legislative branches to provide a check on one another. In Madison, we have one legislative house, the city council, so the only formal balance is the executive branch, the mayor.

When I returned to office in 2011, the city was in fiscal chaos; you have witnessed the city council budget battles. Despite my efforts to bring responsibility to the financial process, our debt service is way too high. I don't enjoy saying 'no' to so many requests - police stations, libraries, fire stations, road improvements. Several city council members are unhappy with my refusal to spend every dollar  in their  individual districts, yes, your neighborhoods; but the reality is that the city council went on an out of control spending spree from 2007-2011 without worrying about the necessary revenues and the consequences.

In addition, new priorities emerge as we address the issues of diversity – neighborhood and community centers become a higher priority and so does a public market which making nutritious food accessible while locally creating new businesses and jobs.

The point is that we cannot do everything at once. Trying to do too much is what created the mess, and frankly, too many members of the city council fail to grasp the gravity of the situation. Now they have decided to get greater control over city finances by removing the mayor from the deliberative process.
 
Also, of significant concern is the rushed nature of the proposal, with no guidance from a citizen panel that usually reviews major government restructuring.

Since I returned to office, Madison is recognized as one of the more fiscally responsible cities. Our economic advancement stands out compared to the rest of the state of Wisconsin. I suggest that the City Council focus on the challenge of Bus Rapid Transit, the staffing of the fire and police stations they want to build, the development of a strategy to create more and better jobs, and the myriad of other policy issues confronting this growing dynamic city.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT:

I will oppose these proposals and work for their defeat. We only have sixty days.  Your voice is critical in reaching members of the city council to tell them that the elements that reduce the authority of the mayor must be defeated (the reorganization of the Council Organizational Committee is just fine). If this proposal is adopted I will veto it and again, I need your support to ensure that the veto is not overridden. If this proposal does become law, then we must work together to raise the necessary signatures to place it on the ballot.