Politics - Oct. 9, 2009
Supervisors dive in to battle Walker on public pools
So Scott Walker wants to close six pools -- several on the North Side -- to build one large aquatic center on the South Side? How does that make budgetary sense? It does to County Exec Walker who wants to spend $11 million to build the aquatic center while closing Pulaski and Noyes indoor pools and the outdoor pools at Washington, Holler and Jackson Parks and Pelican Cove.
Tags: Scott Walker, Marina Dimitrijevic, Milwaukee Public Schools, Mayor Tom Barrett, Gov. Jim Doyle, Barbara Lawton, Port of Milwaukee, Hoan Bridge, Eric Reinelt, Susan Edman

Politics - Sept. 16, 2009
Can private sector ideas fix MPS?
Should the mayor be allowed to take over MPS? If so, what would the impact be? How have mayoral takeovers of public schools worked in other cities? What kinds of new ideas from the private sector could be replicated to help MPS improve its results?
Tags: MPS, Milwaukee Public Schools, Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Press Club, Cory Nettles

Politics - Aug. 28, 2009
Taking schools to school
Proponents and opponents of changing the way the Milwaukee Public Schools are run were lining up in droves this week as some public events were held to draw attention to a plan by Gov. Jim Doyle and Mayor Tom Barrett to allow the mayor to oversee the schools.
Tags: Milwaukee Public Schools, Tom Barrett, Jim Doyle, Gwen Moore, Josh Zepnick, Tony Zielinski, Willie Hines, Scott Walker, Mark Neumann, Milwaukee Public School Defense League

Politics - May 1, 2009
Politics maintain low hum on energy rate hikes
Public officials in these parts seem totally silent on the effects of proposed energy cost increases on their constituents from area power monopoly WE Energies. The utility is asking that rates go up 4.9 percent in 2010 and another 4.5 percent in 2011.
Tags: WE Energies, Bob Donovan, Milwaukee Public Schools, Jim Doyle, Citizens for Responsible Government, Chris Kliesmet, Democracy Corps, Republican, Democrat, Jeff Mantes, National League of Cities Prescription Discount Card Program

Politics - Dec. 3, 2008
A plan for digging out the city
Just in time for the first big snow of the year, the Department of Public Works is ready to present its plowing strategy for the coming white season. And it looks like patience will be a mantra for drivers and pedestrians. Aldermen asked DPW to set up a plan after last year's somewhat disjointed approach to plowing.
Tags: DPW, MPS, Milwaukee Public Schools, Cheryl Nenn, parking meters, taxi, Jim Doyle, Scott Walker, veto, Tim Carpenter, Riverkeeper, Wingspread, Lynn Broaddus, Brian Fraley, Wisconsin Leadership Institute