District 13 Updates

It's been a while since I've posted.

This is a busy time in the life of an alder.  We're neck deep in the budget season, requiring more meetings on top of our regular committee assignments, constituent contacts, and organizing we do around specific concerns.

As you likely know by now, Common Council voted this week to institute a $40 vehicle registration fee, also known as a wheel tax.

I voted with the majority.

There are no shortage of arguments against the wheel tax. But it became even more evident during deliberations that we have little choice given other means of generating revenue have been taken away from us by the state legislature, the same state legislature which has dramatically reduced state aids to municipalities.

Eight of my colleagues voted in oppostion to the tax, but not one offered specifics as how we might otherwise raise the $7 million plus the wheel tax generates. 

We need to balance the budget and we absolutely need to make a down-payment on our transit future. Ignoring the problem won't make it disappear. I've spent a fair amount of time in cities like Seattle and Austin that have not planned well around transit and, believe me, we don't want to go there.

Today is the last day to submit comments about the proposed basing of the F-35s at Truax. Mayor Satya submitted her comments, which you can see here.  It's a rather impressive 22 page document. Included were statements issued by the Water Utility Board, Community Development Authority, and Sustainable Madison Committee.  I sit on the latter two and had a hand in drafting the CDA and SMC statements. 

Work continues on siting a grocery store on S. Park. City staff will soon be making their recommendation as to the preferred development team.  A lot of work remains ahead of us, but I remain encouraged and hopeful we'll succeed in our goal of avoiding a gap in grocery services.

It's that time of year to remember how imperative it is that we keep leaves out of the street. Click here for more information about pick-ups, as well as how you can sign up for rain alerts.

And it's obviously already time to be reminded about snow shoveling and the need to minimize the use of salt. It's a tough balance. You don't want someone slipping on your sidewalk, I get it, but consider using sand whenever possible.

Lastly, I'll be participating in a fundraiser for Madison Urban Ministry's Just Bakery, tomorrow evening at Madison College Truax Culinary Dining Room.  The first annual Food For Thought Culinary Competition will pit Alders, Cops, and Just Bakery students against each other, sort of like "Chopped" or the "Great British Bake-Off."

This should be hilarious because, honestly, my idea of cooking is heating up soup!

Nonetheless, it's for a good cause, and I'm asking you to pledge for me even if you can't attend.

That's all for now.  

Very best,

Tag