By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Tip O’Neill, the former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, once asserted that “all politics is local.” This particular expression is often quoted and should serve as a constant reminder of the importance of local input.
This week the Assembly will spend far too much time debating a legislative proposal (Assembly Bill 85) that ultimately should be left for the residents of Milwaukee County to decide.
Assembly Bill 85 is intended to completely restructure the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, by reducing both the size of the board and the rate of compensation for its members.
Most, if not all, would agree that Milwaukee’s County Board has had more than its share of administrative problems and setbacks.
Succinctly put, reform is necessary. But, that begs the question: Who should be entrusted to bring about the necessary reform for this beleaguered county board?
In my view, Assembly Bill 85 is a top-heavy approach to resolving the governance issue for Milwaukee County.
The Board has undergone tremendous change and currently has seven new supervisors. Moreover, according to the Board Chairwoman, Marina Dimitrijevic, it’s completely committed to governance reform and taking the necessary steps to improving county government.
The residents of Milwaukee County deserve the right to determine the structure and scope of their Board of County Supervisors. Decisions of this nature are best made at the local level – and not in Madison.