Whoa. The press missed some of the best parts! Hate to admit it, I agree with the mayor. So disappointed in the council.
from: Soglin, Paul
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 8:53 AM
To: All Alders
Cc: MY GROUP; Dept Division Heads
Subject: 2015 BudgetI return the 2015 Budget to the City Clerk without my signature. After three years of steady progress in addressing the issues of fiscal responsibility and a commitment to solving the challenges of poverty and equity, the amendments made to the budget represent a step backwards.
The significant step increases in capital expenditures and the associated operating budget commitments prevent us from meeting our commitments to close income, opportunity and educational disparity gaps.
The increasing of revenues without a concurrent commitment to parity for city workers is not acceptable.
The awarding a gift of $100,000 to a grantee with no standard for performance and deliverables, without competition or TRANSPARENT REVIEW is a mockery of our own commitment to fair distribution of public resources.
The discussion last night on the motion to reconsider makes a debate on a veto redundant. Clearly a veto would be overridden. The debate was productive with meaningful acknowledgment for the first time that council members recognize there is a fiscal challenge. Since the first presentations in July related to this budget through the committee of the whole meetings there was very little concern for fiscal responsibility so we could meet our obligations to the public, the public employees and those demanding equity.
I will address the issue of ‘transparency’ and the accusations of secrecy at a later time, but be clear that the public and I insist on documentation, or the charges will be dismissed to the trashcan of history with other red-herrings, diversions and unsubstantiated and undocumented nonsense.
Please, let us join together in making Madison the best city for everyone.
Paul R. Soglin
Mayor
City of Madison
210 MLK Jr. Blvd
Madison, WI 53703
Office: 608-266-4611
Chris Schmidt explains . . . .
From: Schmidt, Christopher
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 10:51 AM
To: All Alders
Cc: MY GROUP; Dept Division Heads
Subject: RE: 2015 BudgetGood morning,
Regarding the Mayor’s message this morning, the budget is considered adopted once the statutory veto deadline runs out, which is 4:30pm today (when the Clerk’s Office closes). Wis. Stat. sec. 62.09(8)(c) and MGO sec. 3.03(2) state that all “acts submitted to the Mayor shall be in force upon approval evidenced by the mayor’s signature, or upon failing to approve or disapprove withing 5 days”.
In other words, the Mayor does not have a pocket veto, the 2015 budget will shortly be considered enacted, and there is no need for a veto override vote on the budget at an upcoming Council meeting.
Stay warm,
Alder Schmidt
