Milwaukee mayor’s 2023 budget proposal faces criticism from republican attorney general candidate

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s proposed funds for 2023 is going through criticism from some state republicans, particularly personnel cuts to the police power.

Johnson informed CBS 58 his proposal to chop sworn cops by one %, or 17 positions, was made out of necessity. 

“I’d like to have extra officers. I wish to have extra officers. Downside is that I do not get sufficient cash from the state with a purpose to pay for extra officers,” Johnson mentioned. 

The mayor echoed that message when he introduced his funds proposal to the Widespread Council on Tuesday, saying that town’s prices are rising, however income is not.

Consultants have been warning Milwaukee of this risk for years.

“Sparing any division goes to be exceedingly tough, particularly the most important division in metropolis authorities, which is the police division, which contains nearly half of its normal metropolis objective spending,” Wisconsin Police Discussion board President Rob Henken mentioned.

The Wisconsin Coverage Discussion board’s evaluation of town’s fiscal situation in 2022 confirmed actual indicators of misery, in line with Henken.

The non-partisan analysis group mentioned the monetary pattern has been spiraling downward for years.

“Over earlier years, when town has skilled tough budgets, there was an actual effort to attempt to defend the police division funds and to a lesser extent the fireplace division funds from the brunt of any cuts wanted to steadiness budgets in difficult years, and more and more the dimensions of town’s structural funds issues has reached the purpose the place it’s not potential to try this,” Henken mentioned.

Eric Toney, the republican legal professional normal candidate, tweeted that Johnson ought to rethink this proposal, including that the mayor’s funds causes concern for the security of individuals dwelling across the state.

“Individuals are actually getting away with homicide in Milwaukee and that isn’t a political difficulty that may be a public security difficulty and that’s how we have to tackle it,” Toney mentioned.

Johnson tweeted again asking Toney to think about asking state republicans to extend funding to help public security.

“Should you’re actually severe about public security, should you actually wish to see us add extra officers in Milwaukee and doubtless different locations across the state too, then you have to be convincing your colleagues within the legislature to offer more cash again to native governments,” Johnson mentioned.

Extra funds discussions and amendments are scheduled for October inside totally different committees.

The widespread council is anticipated to finalize the funds on Nov. 4.