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Home > BizTimes Daily > Archives > March 25, 2009
Walker and county board on collision course over stimulus policy
Published March 25, 2009 - BizTimes Daily
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In a special Milwaukee Biz Blog today, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker reiterates his stance that he will not compile a county "wish list" of projects for federal stimulus dollars.
Instead, Walker again calls for tax cuts to stimulate the economy.
"Spending money (that comes with strings attached) when we cannot afford to pay it back is exactly what got this country - as well as many businesses and individuals - in financial trouble. We will not make that same mistake here in Milwaukee County," Walker said.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee County Supervisors Patricia Jursik, the lead author of a resolution establishing Milwaukee County's official policy on economic stimulus funding, and Theodore Lipscomb, chair of the County Task Force on Economic Stimulus, are calling on Walker to sign the resolution by next week, in light of the County Board's 17-2 vote approving the policy.
The resolution states, "The County shall apply for all available Stimulus funds in existing program areas eligible for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (and any reauthorizations) as available to Milwaukee County inclusive of both competitive and formula funding. Staff from all County departments shall execute its charge under this policy, and it shall be strictly the right of the County Board to refuse to accept funding if the County Board determines that it is not in the interest of the County to accept the funding because of identified obligations within each project specification."
"The county executive claims he will not accept stimulus funds unless they meet his three-point criteria, but I take exception with his third point, which states, 'Expenditure of requested funds will not obligate Milwaukee County to future operating or maintenance expenses.' In my view, that eliminates virtually everything," Jursik said. "Roads, bridges, buildings … you name it. We have a variety of needs in Milwaukee County. Almost any capital expenditure will require future maintenance. But, we are already obligated to maintain these assets, so his third point is bogus."
"It's unfortunate that the County Executive directed his administration to not participate in the Task Force on Economic Stimulus," Lipscomb said. "Milwaukee County should not let other communities benefit from funds that we, the taxpayers, contribute to the federal system, particularly when there is no shortage of local projects worthy of this funding."
The County Board has scheduled a special meeting for on Tuesday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse to consider any veto from the county executive. Statutes give the county executive six days (not including Sundays), or until the next meeting of the County Board, to veto a resolution.
"By scheduling this meeting for next week, the county executive cannot use procedural tactics to stall this process," Jursik added. "The County Board is moving swiftly to ensure Milwaukee County receives a fair share of the federal stimulus funds available."
Walker is raising funds to run for governor in 2010.
