Milwaukee, WI

After the latest delay on the Milwaukee city flag, an alderman proposes a city-wide vote

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

After the latest delay on the Milwaukee city flag, an alderman proposes a city-wide vote

The Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday again delayed a vote on changing the official city flag to “Sunrise Over the Lake,” this time with the measure’s sponsor saying he planned to pursue a change in the City Charter to allow the flag to go to a binding referendum in April.

However, whether a referendum is legally feasible remains to be seen, and other council members raised concerns about the broader implications of changing the city’s most important legal document that is akin to its constitution.

Ald. Peter Burgelis, who revived the debate over changing the Milwaukee flag this summer, said he had talked with other council members and others in recent weeks. (The council delayed a vote last month after a heated hourlong debate.)

“Given the conversations we had, I think the best path forward would be to put this question to voters and let voters decide,” he said.

The People’s Flag, as “Sunrise Over the Lake” is known, depicts the sun rising over Lake Michigan. Under the legislation Burgelis put forward, the change would take place as of Jan. 31, 2025.

Referendum on Milwaukee city flag faces unsure path

It is unclear whether it would be within the city’s power to put a referendum like the one Burgelis has proposed on the ballot.

Under a change he put forward and then withdrew Tuesday, the flag legislation would have been amended to direct the city Election Commission to place a binding referendum on the April 2025 ballot.

Such a referendum, however, “is not supported by state law,” according to an email City Attorney Evan Goyke sent to Burgelis Monday night.

The question cannot be placed on the April ballot without a change in state law or, theoretically, a change in the City Charter to adopt a process for such a step, Goyke told the Journal Sentinel. The latter option would require additional legal work from the City Attorney’s Office to determine whether it is feasible, he said.

And, even if a Charter change would offer a path to referendum, it is unclear whether enough council members would support a change.

Ald. Jonathan Brostoff said he objected to sending a decision on something like the city flag to referendum.

“If that’s the case, why do we make decisions on much more important things?” he asked.

Ald. Robert Bauman said sending the flag to a binding referendum would set a precedent for sending any number of issues to such a referendum.

“I think that’s a very bad precedent, particularly if it only takes only a majority vote,” he said.

Burgelis after the meeting framed such referendums as an avenue for direct democracy after state legislators last y year banned local governments from putting advisory referendums on the ballot. (The law left in place an exception for capital expenditures proposed to be funded by the property tax levy, according to Goyke’s memo.)

Questions of equity, inclusion in city flag process persist

Tuesday’s meeting followed at times tense discussions last month at council and at the Steering and Rules Committee, which recommended the legislation on a 5-3 vote.

Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Burgelis sent his colleagues a nine-page memo that sought to answer questions council members had raised about the proposed flag’s design, whether the selection process was equitable, how much the change would cost and more.

Burgelis argued in the memo that the flag selection process was equitable and inclusive. The city’s chief equity officer disagreed.

Burgelis wrote that the design initiative was publicized by all major news outlets locally as well as on social media, more than 1,000 designs were submitted by members of the public, the judges on the selection panel were chosen based on their knowledge of design, history or flags and that the rating process for the five final designs was active for two weeks and open to the public.

“Given the foregoing, it is clear that the selection process that was followed to identify the People’s Flag design was even more comprehensive and inclusive than a City-managed process would have been,” he wrote.

Among the concerns that have been raised, including by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, was that the sun rising over the lake was a sight not equally afforded to all residents across this racially segregated city.

“While that may unfortunately be true, part of the vision for the People’s Flag is that it can be a symbol of a city looking towards the future, where all members of the community can enjoy the water resources that make Milwaukee special,” Burgelis wrote in the memo.

He also said the flag’s rising sun is an element “visible from every neighborhood in the city, and can be interpreted as our commitment that every resident of the city be given a fresh start and a bright future.”

It is unclear whether Johnson would sign the legislation. Last month he said there ought to be more conversation about using an image of the lake, when Black and Latino Milwaukeeans do not have the same access to it.

In a separate memo, Chief Equity Officer Bernadette Karanja wrote that it is important to include the opinions of children and parents in ZIP codes not exposed to Lake Michigan or the city’s rivers.

“If I was to use an anecdotal representation of the proposed Flag’s acceptance, then, I would subjectively and anecdotally observe that this flag is flown predominantly on the East Side of Milwaukee,” she wrote. “I would also subjectively observe, there’s little to no representation of this flag on the North and immediate Southsides of Milwaukee where Black and Brown people reside.”

She raised concerns about the extent to which the voices of low-income residents and people of color were included in the flag’s selection process.

Karanja included in her recommendations the creation of processes through which the preferences of people of color are accurately represented in decision-making on “a Flag that will be representative of Milwaukee for hundreds of years.”

“It may likely be that when all people are included in an evidence-based manner that this flag is chosen again,” she wrote. “This will only affirm its relevance to all communities of Milwaukee. However, it is my humble opinion, that the data we have thus far does not provide this evidence.”

Cost of City of Milwaukee flag replacement could range depending on work done

As for the cost, a city fiscal analysis found that it would be about $800 to replace flags currently flown at 13 locations by the Department of Public Works, Police Department and the Mayor’s Office.

Burgelis’ memo said a group of donors had offered to cover the replacement cost.

It would be much more expensive to replace the seals on Department of Public Works vehicles, but only if they were replaced all at once on existing equipment. The department’s current seal incorporates the city’s existing flag.

To replace all the seals at once would cost an estimated $463,750. There would be no extra cost to change the decals if they were phased out as the existing vehicles were replaced.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.

Source link

Click to comment

Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposals; board meeting Monday

Published

30 minutes ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposals; board meeting Monday

MILWAUKEE – MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius proposed cutting more than 263 non-classroom positions to help bridge a $46 million structural budget deficit.

A special meeting of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors is scheduled to take place on Monday night, March 9, to vote on this proposal.

Shifting resources

What we know:

The district said the reductions, which would take effect for the 2026–27 school year pending school board approval, would save about $30 million.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

“It is an extremely difficult day for us here in Milwaukee Public Schools, but in the end, I’m still hopeful. I’m hopeful for our students, I’m hopeful for all of the employees we have, and every single employee matters to us,” said Cassellius. “This is hard, and we’ll get through it.”

Officials said no classroom teacher positions are being cut to close the budget gap. That said, the district may need fewer teachers where there is lower enrollment. About 40 of the 263 positions being eliminated are already vacant, meaning that not all reductions will result in layoffs. Affected employees eligible for classroom-based roles will be encouraged to apply for available positions.

Cassellius stressed that MPS faces rising costs while receiving a $0 state increase in general aid for 2026-27 public school students. While the recent referendum has helped to support arts, physical education, mental health services, and career exploration, the superintendent indicated it does not make up for the lack of state-funded inflation increase

Proposed reductions

By the numbers:

The approximately 263 position reductions include the following, according to the school district:

MPS Central Services: About 116 positions from the offices of Academics; Communications; Family, Community, and Partnership; Finance; Human Resources; Operations; Schools office; and the Superintendent’s office
Non‑classroom school‑based roles: About 147 positions, including assistant principals, deans of students, and implementers.

The Source: Milwaukee Public Schools released information about its proposal.

Milwaukee Public SchoolsMilwaukeeNewsEducation

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Black joins Giannis, KPJ as out, How To Watch Orlando Magic-Milwaukee Bucks Lineups, Injuries, Betting Lines & More

Published

13 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Black joins Giannis, KPJ as out, How To Watch Orlando Magic-Milwaukee Bucks Lineups, Injuries, Betting Lines & More

The Orlando Magic put together one of its strongest efforts of the season in Minnesota on Saturday, squashing one of the West’s best 119-92. They’ll look to continue a road win streak that began in L.A. with wins over the Clippers and Lakers.

Milwaukee also won on Saturday, pulling away from the Utah Jazz 113-99 to snap a two-game skid that coincided with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return from a 14-game absence due to a calf injury.

Antetokounmpo’s presence was necessary deep into the fourth quarter due to the game being tight, so that prevents him from participating in this one. Kevin Porter Jr. is also out.

The Magic are even with the Miami Heat atop the Southeast Division, although they hold a tie-braker since they have defeated Miami all four times they’ve played. The Magic’s upset of Minnesota has pushed them up to sixth place in the East.

Orlando is 14-15 on the road 20-19 against Eastern Conference foes. Milwaukee is 15-16 at home and 19-23 against Eastern Conference competition.

Vitals – How to Watch Magic at Bucks

Game date, time and location: Sunday, March 8, 8:10 p.m. EST, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic), FanDuel Sports Wisconsin (Bucks)

Radio: FM 96.9 The Game/AM 740 WYGM (Magic), WTMJ (Bucks)

Magic look to extend road win streak to four by ending Bucks’ run

The Orlando Magic (34-28) visit the Milwaukee Bucks (27-35) in the third and final matchup between these teams this season.

The Magic last won a season series from Milwaukee in 2011-12, but have gone 14-35 since, which includes an upset loss (116-108) in the final game prior to the break. Cam Thomas, having just been signed after getting his release from the Brooklyn Nets, scored 34 points to complement a Kevin Porter Jr. triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists), so the Bucks are still in position to win this year’s series 2-1 if it can pull an upset on Sunday night.

The Bucks have opened up a 77-57 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to 1989-90. Milwaukee won the first nine matchups.

Betting Lines (via DraftKings)

Spread: Magic -6.5 (-112), Bucks +6.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Magic -218, Bucks +180

Total: 216.5 (Over -112, Under -108)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

PROJECTED STARTERS

MAGIC

F Tristan da Silva

F Paolo Banchero

C Wendell Carter Jr.

G Jalen Suggs

G Desmond Bane

BUCKS

F Ousmane Dieng

F Pete Nance

C Myles Turner

G Ryan Rollins

G AJ Green

INJURY REPORT

MAGIC

Anthony Black: Out – Low Back Strain

Jonathan Isaac: Out – Left Knee Soreness

Franz Wagner: Out – Left High Ankle Sprain Injury Management

Jase Richardson: Out – Lower Back Spasms

Alex Morales: Out – G League (Two-way)

Colin Castleton: Out – G League (Two-way)

BUCKS

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Out – Right Calf Injury Management

Kevin Porter Jr.: Out – Right Knee Swelling

Kyle Kuzma: Out – Thoracic Spine Contusion

Taurean Prince: Out – Neck Surgery Recovery

Cormac Ryan: Out – G League (Two-way)

Alex Antetokounmpo: Out – G League (Two-way)

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee living has become unaffordable for too many people | Opinion

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee living has become unaffordable for too many people | Opinion

In the first half of 20th Century, Socialists helped make Milwaukess an affordable, comfortable, well-governed place. Now, there’s been a fundamental change to the character of this city.

Ryan Clancy
| Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee is facing a housing affordability crisis, with some estimates suggesting a household needs $134,000 to live comfortably.
Median rent in the city has increased by 28% between 2020 and 2024, significantly impacting renters.
The author advocates for expanding the “Right to Counsel” program, which provides attorneys for people facing eviction.
Proposed solutions include banning discrimination against Section 8 voucher recipients and establishing stronger tenant protections.

Life in Milwaukee is unaffordable for too many people, and it’s getting worse. We’re a city that used to be an affordable, comfortable, well-governed place to live. Socialists helped make it that way in the first half of the 20th century through deep, sustainable investments in public infrastructure and public programs. Neoliberalism, though, has undone much of the strength of our world class city.

Now, after multiple recessions, decades of defunding infrastructure and services at the state, county and city levels, and now with an economy thrown into chaos by President Trump, Milwaukee has become one of the twenty most expensive cities in the country. By some estimates, a household now needs at least $134,000 in income to live comfortably here.

That’s a fundamental change to the character of this city, one that deeply worries me — as both a Milwaukeean and a legislator representing much of our city.

Change in city’s character hitting renters hard

This is hitting renters hard: between the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2024, Milwaukee’s median rent went up a staggering 28%. And this didn’t happen accidentally. We have a system that’s been made to work very well for landlords and real estate interests, who’ve made rent control and habitability inspections effectively impossible here. Unsurprisingly, that means rents are going up while housing quality goes down. It’s difficult to be a tenant in Wisconsin.

Housing isn’t like most other things we buy and budget for. People invest emotionally in the places they live and the people they live alongside. Homeowners build equity too while getting predictable housing costs, at least under most mortgages. But an East Side apartment that used to cost $1200/mo is not replaceable by a house in Oconomowoc that costs the same – very different people prefer one to the other, and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise.

We must keep this top of mind while making housing policy. Most people don’t want to leave their neighborhoods, especially the close-knit ones in our district. They want to stay where they’ve already put down roots, whether as a homeowner or a renter. When a family leaves, it’s too often because they can no longer afford to live here. That’s a problem that can’t be solved by zoning changes alone – it’s not a bad thing if some communities want to allow more back cottages and even duplexes and triplexes, but that simply isn’t enough, and isn’t a viable solution for many neighborhoods.

We can do much more to keep Milwaukeeans in their homes.

A Right to Counsel — providing attorneys for people facing eviction – is a proven way to do that: I led the successful effort to make it law in Milwaukee County back in 2021, and it’s since kept thousands of people in their homes, given them extra time to seek rent assistance, and sealed misleading eviction records to help renters keep renting. Expanding Right to Counsel statewide is a core part of our tenant protection package, but securing permanent funding for the existing program here in Milwaukee is critical.

Since its creation, Milwaukee’s executive leadership has attempted to defund the program – which has thankfully been saved by votes by the Common Council and Milwaukee County Board. This is despite the clearly positive results for tenants and landlords alike, and despite every dollar spent on the program saving us $4.66 in other costs. A statewide, well-funded program can build on and sustain that legacy, ensuring that Milwaukee residents — and folks across the state — will benefit from the stability that Right to Counsel creates.

Ban discrimination against Section 8 voucher recipients

We’re also proposing to ban discrimination against Section 8 voucher recipients, to establish stronger protections for tenants organizing for better living conditions, to lift arbitrary restrictions on inspections for lead and for other profound habitability issues, and to enact other key protections that blunt the worst practices of small and big landlords alike.

These protections are urgent and necessary because real estate interests and landlords are aggressively fighting to make things harder for tenants. Just before the end of the session, they pushed AB 202, a bill that would undermine some of the very few protections for tenants in Wisconsin law. Very few of my colleagues who are landlords recused themselves – that’s an obvious conflict of interest, but it’s the norm in a legislature where tenants’ needs come last.

The underlying problem in our housing system is a deep dependence on capital, not democracy, to choose where and when we build new housing. When the federal government raises interest rates, it makes both private and public housing funding more expensive, so developers build less. When rent forecasts go down, developers build less — putting the lie to the notion that private housing builders and landlords are somehow at odds.

Our long term goal must be housing as a human right. That means social housing or public housing for people who want them, but also transparency and accountability for private landlords, an end to exploitative, uncapped rent extraction, and an effective ban on low quality housing. In the meantime, better protecting tenants will help all of us.

Rep. Ryan Clancy represents the 19th District in the Wisconsin Assembly. He is also a former Milwaukee County Supervisor.

Source link