I didn’t get to hear much of the debate over selling water to New Berlin, but the absolutely best quote that I did hear came from Ald. Jim Bohl, who argued that using parliamentary procedure to delay the inevitable victory by the pro-sale faction would just be poor sportsmanship.
“A further delay tactic,” he said solemnly, “is a nah-nah, boo-boo game.”
The great orators have a new man among them.
Here’s how I wish it would go today at the Common Council, but it won’t.
Ald. Michael Murphy’s alternative to the proposed $20 wheel tax is adopted. Murphy has proposed a $10 wheel tax with lower special assessments for street repairs. Murphy’s proposal means property tax-exempt non-profits still kick in for street repairs based on the size of their individual properties; under the $20 tax proposal, non-profits with lots of property, but few vehicles, get off really cheap. In addition, the state just raised its own vehicle registration fees by $20. Make it expensive enough, and more people simply won’t register their vehicles.
Murphy’s proposal doesn’t stand a chance in the world, though. The $20 tax seems not only meant to fund street repairs, but also to serve as a symbolic Common Council declaration of independence and leadership. Some aldermen are clearly unenamored with Mayor Barrett’s low-key style.
Also during my wish-it-were-so council debate, the aldercritters find a way not to tax motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. It’s seems awfully silly to me to levy an additional $20 tax on vehicles that actually are lighter and cause less damage to streets than cars or trucks (yes, I have a scooter.)
The council then moves ahead and rejects Murphy’s proposal to sell water to the “middle third” of New Berlin. This deal is akin to a starving man selling his pure gold watch for a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk. The City of Milwaukee is desperate for the $1.5 million New Berlin is dangling. It is making this decision based on inadequate information and fear, a really dangerous combination.
Americans drove 9.6 billion miles less in May than they did a year earler.
More here.
It’s a small thing, but oh, so welcome.
This year the State Fair will have a bike corral. Holy smokes! And only 100 years or so late!
Congrats to State Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa), the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and State Fair Executive Director Executive Director Randy Prasse for getting this done.
Those of us who have hunted around for lock-up spots along the fence are grateful.
McCain’s terrible campaign
Thursday, July 31st, 2008Not only is Barack Obama responsible for high oil prices, according to John McCain; he’s also no more a celebrity of no more substance that Britney Spears.
Yuck.
Tags: Britney Spears, McCain, Obama
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