As chairman of the Common Council’s Financial Affairs Committee, I oversaw the creation of several City budgets that held down increases in property taxes while maintaining the level of City services that all residents have relied upon. By maintaining the City’s AAA bond rating, we held down interest costs which the City pays when we must borrow to pay for needed infrastructure improvements.
I saw first-hand the negative impact that the Legislature’s levy restraints had on City services: Within several years, the City might have to begin reducing services to residents, unless the Legislature revises its cap on the property tax levy and allows the levy to rise at the rate of inflation. I sponsored several successful resolutions – passed unanimously – that asked the Legislature to allow municipalities to raise levies at the rate of inflation so we can maintain the level of City services that all residents have relied upon.
Every realtor will tell you that one of the most important factors in maintaining property values is the strength of a community’s public schools. Through my work as a co-founder of Support Our Schools (SOS) Wauwatosa, I have been a leading advocate for the Wauwatosa School District, fighting against measures passed by the Legislature that deprive our public schools of the funding they need. I also have helped to raise funds for School District projects, most recently the new aquatic complex at Tosa East and the educational garden at Lincoln Elementary School.
