Stimulation for Milwaukee County

Milwaukee County residents expect their tax dollars to be returned to Milwaukee County to benefit the greater good. We should expect no less from the federal taxes we pay. That is why I find it so disappointing County Executive Scott Walker decided to not seek federal funding as part of the upcoming economic stimulus package for local governments. We pay into the system and should see a reasonable return on our investments. I am pleased the County Board stepped up and submitted numerous “shovel-ready” projects that can stimulate our economy and provide permanent improvements for county residents.

Several of the projects submitted to the federal government benefit the 14th District and the Bay View area: 

• $120,000 for the rehabilitation of the South Shore Park shoreline.
• Purchasing 155 new buses for the Milwaukee County Transit System
• Reducing bus fares from $2 to $1.75
• Humboldt Park: more than $300,000 in improvements to the tennis courts and walkways
• Holler Park: $185,000 for the construction an eco-friendly parking lot, pavilion restoration, and accessibility improvements
• $93 million in projects at Mitchell International Airport, including the construction of a College Avenue tunnel to allow for the extension of the north-south runway

More than $500 million in improvements were submitted to the Obama administration. It’s likely that only a portion of these projects will be approved, but the county executive should not ignore this opportunity by claiming that we can’t afford the local match. In reality, without federal funding, local taxpayers will be burdened with these costs. It is more than appropriate that we seek assistance from the federal government. A 10- or 20-percent local match is a much better deal than bearing 100 percent of these costs locally.

Scott Walker’s job is to represent Milwaukee County. Unfortunately, his personal political ambitions are distracting him from the real needs we have in Milwaukee County. His interest in running for governor, and his opposition to federal funding to reduce property taxes, could cost Milwaukee County taxpayers.

Chris Larson is supervisor of Milwaukee County’s 14th District, which encompasses southern parts of Bay View, the airport, and other parts of Milwaukee’s southeast side. He can be reached at chris.larson@milwcnty.com or (414) 278-4252.

Copyright 2010 by Bay View Compass. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.