P.O. Box 1222, Madison, WI 53701 | www.prodane.org | office@prodane.org | (608) 257-4985
City budget, clean elections also on the agenda; New Steering Committee elected
At the monthly Progressive Dane (PD) General Membership meeting on October 28, an updated County Platform was presented for consideration. The platform reaffirms and refines the party’s commitment to economic justice; open, efficient and democratic governments; public safety and justice; sustainable land use, transportation, and environmental policies; affordable housing; and quality human services. Membership will vote on the final platform in November.
In recent months, Progressive Dane has been particularly active advancing these ideas at the county level. As part of their platform, PD has long advocated for the creation of a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to provide “affordable, available, and accessible” public transportation. Recent state legislation has given Dane County the authority to create an RTA. At a combined County Public Works and Transportation Committee and Personnel and Finance Committee meeting earlier this week, many PD members showed up in support for the RTA. PD-endorsed Supervisors John Hendrick and Al Matano provided expert testimony and support, helping to win majority endorsements for the RTA from both committees. As the RTA moves forward, Progressive Dane members and elected officials will continue to play crucial roles in bringing this to fruition.
The County Budget has also been a focus of activity. Sup. Kyle Richmond has introduced an amendment to enact County vehicle registration fee (VRF) proposal which would add about $4.5 million to County transportation, freeing up $4.5 million for three items: $1.8 million to erase the cut to human services POS agencies; $1.09 million to erase 2 of 8 County employee furlough days; $1.58 million added to the County's reserve fund (which is now $2 million).
The VRF ordinance amendment has a 24-month sunset provision. Richmond noted “$15 is half a tank of gas, and the VRF is no more regressive than the property tax.”
Responsible fiscal policy is also part of an amendment from Sup. John Hendrick to freeze all county capital projects for 2010 holding down debt service for 2011 if the economic recovery is delayed. County committees will be able to unfreeze some projects during the year if the county's revenue picture improves. Hendrick seems confident of the prospects “This freeze seems likely to make it into the final 2010 budget in some form” he said.
The membership also heard a report on the Madison city budget from District 12 Alder Satya Rhodes-Conway. Rhodes-Conway related the recent actions of the Board of Estimates on proposed amendments, the vast of majority of which were sponsored or co-sponsored by Rhodes-Conway or PD endorsed District 4 Alder Mike Verveer and urged members to contact their Alders with concerns and testify before the Common Council on Tuesday, November 10.
New Steering Committee members were elected. Continuing members Jacque Pokorney (current Co-Chair), John Hendrick, Aaron Crandall, Kyle Szarzynski, Adam Porton, and TJ Mertz will be joined by Michael Johnson and Kyle Richmond, and thank outgoing members Marsha Rummel and Norm Littlejohn for their service.
The meeting closed with a report on the recent Progressive Dane Assembly devoted to public finance of local elections. The event was a kick off for a new campaign working to build a statewide coalition to secure legislation which will allow local governing bodies to enact public financing. PDs Elections Committee Chair Lukas Diaz explained what was at stake: “The cost of campaigns is keeping good people from running; if we want to keep local government representative of and responsive to all of our community, we have to do something.”
Progressive Dane encourages all residents of Dane County to join in working to achieve positive policy change on these and other issues.
Posted by prodane at 11:50 AM
Progressive Dane General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Madison Downtown Public Library
Chair: Jacque Pokorney
Elected Report - Satya Rhodes-Conway on the City Budget
Autumn Assembly Outcomes and Next Steps - Jacque Pokorney
First Reading of the 2010-11 County Platform - Lukas Diaz
2010 Steering Committee - Vote
Announcements
Individuals who are not members of Progressive Dane are very much encouraged to attend.
Anyone with questions or special needs should contact the Progressive Dane office at 358-2940 or office@prodane.org.
Join or Renew today - http://www.prodane.org/get_involved/become_member/
Posted by prodane at 03:40 AM
A public hearing on establishing a Regional Transit Authority, hosted jointly by the Dane County Public Works and Transportation Committee and Personnel and Finance Committee has been set for Monday, October 26 at 6:30 PM, in Room 201B City County Building
The resolution being considered is to create a governing structure (as defined by state law) that can plan and coordinate transportation throughout the Madison Metropolitan area. This resolution does not contain language about particular modes of transportation.
Those in favor of establishing a Regional Transit Authority are encouraged to show up at this meeting to express their support.
If approved at this joint committee meeting, the resolution is scheduled to be considered by the full Dane County Board of Supervisors on November 5th.
Posted by prodane at 10:16 PM
The Dane County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2010 County Budget on Thursday, October 22nd at 7:00 PM in Room 201 of the City County Building.
Interested citizens can attend the hearing to present their concerns to the Board. Those wishing to speak will each have five minutes to address the Board.
Unable to attend? E-mail your concerns to county_board_recipients@co.dane.wi.us
Posted by prodane at 04:42 AM
Progressive Dane’s 2009 Autumn Assembly
Public Financing of Local Elections
Saturday, October 10, 2009
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Reception to follow
Neighborhood House | 29 South Mills Street | Madison, Wisconsin
Limited parking in lot, conveniently located on the 4, 6, and every other 7 bus routes
Agenda
12:30 p.m. Registration
1:00 p.m. Welcome and Overview of Issue
1:30 p.m. Funding Local Elections
2:00 p.m. City and County Process Overview
2:45 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Keynote - Beverly Speer
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
3:30 p.m. Campaign Strategies Discussion
5:00 p.m. Reception
Posted by prodane at 07:25 PM