Milwaukee County officials are discussing the shared revenue bill that is being debated at the state level.
The bill was announced a week ago by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
Residents would see a number of changes to the Milwaukee area including police officers back into Milwaukee Public Schools and a cut to funding for the Hop streetcar.
Monday afternoon's discussion has been tense. One of the proposals on the table outlines the need for the county to receive an increase in shared revenue without any strings attached from the state legislature.
A majority of supervisors share that they are in favor of the resolution, and the county knows their needs best.
Supervisor Ryan Clancy of District 4, is also a state representative who's been vocal about opposing the plan since it's release.
"This resolution in front of us only has two parts: that we want a fair share of the revenue that we surrender to the state and the local control to spend those dollars on local priorities. That's it," said Clancy.
Other supervisors say these restrictions are guardrails in order to prevent any wasteful spending.
"Try to let the local government do what's best for the local people and so, therefore, I don't see this laid over either," County Supervisor Kathleen Vincent, District 11, said. "I think we need to send a strong message to Madison that we are and will continue to do what is best for the needs of the residents of our county."
Vice Committee Chair Steve Taylor, District 17, said, "Decades of mismanagement, decades of wasteful spending is why I will not support this and I truly hope there are guardrails put on whatever dollars we get via shared revenue or via sales tax."
When put to a vote, the resolution was passed in a 4-1 vote in the committee.
The shared revenue bill could be voted on in Madison later this month.
The second resolution at Monday's meeting was opposing using any of the county's sale tax levy to fund long-term renovations for American Family Field. That resolution was agreed upon unanimously.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.