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Happy Labor Day, More Budget Disinformation, Good Neighbor Gathering Returns Sept 8

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Hi Everyone,

Happy Labor Day!

I recall a couple of budget cycles ago, I spoke up as a strong advocate for wage parity. The city's general municipal employees had fallen behind the city's employees in protective services, i.e., police and fire, prinicipally because police and fire unions retained collective bargaining rights under Act 10 while the rest of the employee groups had not. I argued then and would argue now that wage parity should not be sacrificed, that we should not be balancing the budget on the backs of our employees. 

In other words, we should not be offering contracts to police and fire with wage increases that we're not willing to offer to the rest of our employees. My argument prevailed. As we move forward during this time of budget challenges, I'm pleased to note the Common Council has underlined its ongoing commitment to wage parity, a stance affirmed by all the employee groups, including protective services. 

More Budget Disinformation

Speaking of budget challenges, one of the statements I often see on Facebook and letters to the editor is the claim that the Mayor's office is a place where cuts should start, that the four deputy mayors and the Mayor's chief of staff constitute a bloated mayoral budget. Some of those making this claim also target the Common Council budget with similar calls for cuts.

However, it should be noted that the Mayor's budget and the Council budget combined measure just .66% of the entire operating budget; eliminating both entirely would barely make a dent in our $22 million deficit. Moreover, including the sustainability team, which was moved over to the Mayor's office from Engineering, the Mayor’s Office budget is more than $200,000 lower than it was in 2014 when adjusted for inflation. That’s a 11.5 percent reduction. (It’s actually a little more than that because the new communication staff position was budgeted for the entire year but was not filled until the end of May.) 

In brief, while I agree frank and open discussions about possible cuts are necessary, we should be guarded against claims that appear guided more by vitriol and less by rational, substantive arguments. 

Good Neighbor Gathering Returns September 8!

Don't forget! The Good Neighbor Gathering is coming up! This free festival is organized by Neighborhood House Community Center and partners. 
GNG Flyer
Image credit: Neighborhood House

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

  • Board of Health for Madison and Dane County: The Board of Health for Madison and Dane County meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 4, at 4:30 p.m. in the Atrium Community Room at 2300 S. Park St. Agenda items include a presentation on the air quality project.
  • Madison Public Library Board: The Madison Public Library Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 5, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 301 of the Central Library at 201 W. Mifflin St. Agenda items include updates on the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, as well as planning for the implementation of a reduction in evening hours at Madison Public Library locations in the event that the reductions will be necessary in the 2025 Operating Budget.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

  • Olin/Turville Ct and E Lakeside St Resurfacing Project: Starting Monday, September 9, Olin-Turville Court and E. Lakeside Street, east of John Nolen Drive, will close for reconstruction. The purpose of this street project is to resurface the pavement and replace underground utilities. Construction… [posted August 30, 2024]
  • Street Closure – Hancock and Wilson Street Intersection: Beginning on Tuesday, September 3, R.G. Huston will be performing storm and sanitary sewer replacement work within the Wilson Street and Hancock Street intersection. During this work, Hancock Street will function as a two-way street and there will be… [posted August 29, 2024]

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

  • Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, September 4: The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and schedules! 
  • Live at The Glen: Vince Sweeney, Friday, September 6: Vince Sweeney is a native Madisonian whose expansive song list spans decades. From Neil Young to The Beatles, from the Eagles to Dylan, Springsteen, Petty and many more, Sweeney strings together great cover songs that add up to an enjoyable evening of free live music.

Metro Transit - Fast Fare Pick Up! Pick up a Fast Fare card and get help from City of Madison staff.

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.  

That's all for now.

Take care and stay safe,

Tag

 

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District 13 - Alder Evers

Alder Tag Evers

Alder Tag Evers

District 13
Contact Alder Evers