Advisory Referendum on the April 6 Ballot

Hi Everyone,

Last Friday, Mayor Satya shared helpful information about the advisory referendum on the spring election ballot.  Below is the link to her post:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/blog/be-informed-check-out-advisory-referendum-questions-on-the-april-6-ballot

Several of you have asked me for my thoughts on the matter.  

I generally agree that the current aldermanic salary of $13.5k is not enough. Most alders work a full-time day job, which reduces the effectiveness of the Common Council, the City's legislative branch. By way of contrast, the Mayor's office, the City's executive branch, is staffed with a full-time, well-compensated Mayor, a chief of staff and four deputy mayors, plus support staff, all of whom are also well-compensated. 

In short we have a strong executive branch and a weak legislative branch.

As a result, Madison mayors historically have viewed Council as obstacles, not partners, to progress when it comes to policy matters, this despite the fact policy is the purview of Council per state statute.

While I agree alder pay should be increased, $70k is more than State Senators make. I'm in favor of moving toward a full-time council, but believe we should approach it incrementally, perhaps doubling or tripling the current salary, not increasing it five-fold. 

There are merits to considering a full-time council, the concept in my opinion has been oversold. This would not in and of itself be curative of the City's equity issues.  Council currently is more diverse than the City as a whole, and is likely to be more so following the spring election.

I don't agree with cutting the number of council members in half. Doubling the size of districts would significantly reduce representation and would therefore require the hiring of additional support staff.

I also don't agree with expanding terms to four years or term limits. Let the voters decide.

That's my two cents.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag