[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6669178,"mediaKeyId","2176292-e59acf52d5c77de9a0ce4dabd6158f19","parentId",2176292,"title","County government outlines state budget priorities, seeks large state share for courthouse project","audioSeconds",1646,"startMs",1459000,"endMs",3105000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176292-e59acf52d5c77de9a0ce4dabd6158f19&start=1459&end=3105","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176292-e59acf52d5c77de9a0ce4dabd6158f19/thumbnail_1459000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6669178/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/County-government-outlines-state-budget-priorities-seeks-large-state-share-for-courthouse-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669178-170ccf5481f1e58b4302a5c5718c9dba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770568772&Signature=H3CfZlzo3Nh~Bnh9j0bDRuH3kddx9D6CqGMptEdo8KYg6OvdhTqY-X7mE38EYmvyARiYDnotKB03WmeZgFn8qYh0KVPcsw9383h5WsRhbQspnspbG6jsWT1YCm1CmeefpkrOFK9bLKygoUfjktpRpsY76jwy6Mn3VIEQhG7syYUyvXGaNcyuZ7U~RHohodmIAkiUoQOz8Mas8qWEh61qwGQwLGwYjCprlHQlAUr1w7QlPCDndM4U7~SKiCSbwUq0c~Bll9E2ZW4iuq1mJonzFlJkvD5wiTSvjsv5eLXVg~V0XyvzdrID8A4SRXZbKeQQvq1Brd2IicnO~cVsPd16oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Milwaukee County","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","On Jan. 31, 2025, Alec Knutson, director of the Milwaukee County Office of Government Affairs, briefed the county Intergovernmental Relations Committee on the county's state budget priorities for the 2025 session. The presentation outlined capital and operating requests, funding targets and the office's process for developing the county executive's budget priorities.

Knutson described the office structure and the budget‑setting process, saying the office uses departmental input, established county priorities and coalition support to develop a prioritized packet for state advocacy. \"The office structure ... lists that one individual represents and reports to the county executive, and one individual represents and reports to the county board,\" Knutson said, explaining the staffing and review steps that produce the county's state request list.

Among the highest‑cost requests presented was a state partnership contribution for a public safety building and courthouse complex. Knutson said Milwaukee County is seeking approximately $250,000,000 from the state — roughly half of the project's estimated cost before interest. Other high‑cost priorities included additional funding for the county highway patrol (about $32,000,000 over the biennium, according to the presentation) and increased support for bailiffs (approximately $29,000,000).

Operating and human services asks included a requested 10% annual increase in mass transit aids (totaling roughly $20,000,000 over the biennium), an increase in Medicaid funding for community support programs ($14,000,000 statewide allocation referenced in the packet), a $5,000,000 annual increase for adult protective services, and support for the Birth‑to‑3 mandated program (a $15,000,000 statewide allocation referenced in the packet). The packet also identified a request for flexible rental assistance, gap financing for affordable housing projects, and additional paratransit and local road improvement funds.

Knutson said the county aims to prioritize items that strengthen the state–county partnership, address underfunded state mandates and reduce local property tax pressures. Committee members asked questions about coordination with the Wisconsin Counties Association and how supervisors can support advocacy with state legislators; Knutson said the county had rebuilt relationships with the association since 2019 and encouraged supervisors to participate in tours, meetings and legislative conferences to reinforce county priorities.

Supervisor O'Connor noted overlap between Milwaukee County priorities and Wisconsin Counties Association priorities — mental health, transportation and transit, conservation, and courts — and asked how supervisors could join meetings with legislators. Knutson encouraged supervisors to coordinate with his office and participate in scheduled tours and events; he identified the Wisconsin Counties Association legislative conference in late February and the National Association of Counties conference in early March as opportunities for engagement.

The committee did not take formal action on the informational report. Knutson's packet and the oral presentation will inform the county's advocacy at the state level during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Milwaukee County - Committee on Intergovernmental Relations on 2025-01-31 9:00 AM - HYBRID MEETINGThis meeting will be held in Room 203-R, and will be live-streamed on the County Legislative Information Center: https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx - Jan 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Office of Government Affairs presented Milwaukee County's state budget priorities, including a request for roughly $250 million in state funding toward a public safety/courthouse complex and funding increases for transit, highway patrol and human services.","taxTitle","Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",2736,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6669183,"Milwaukee County supervisors lay over hands‑free driving resolution amid enforcement concerns",1386,66000,1452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176292-e59acf52d5c77de9a0ce4dabd6158f19&start=66&end=1452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176292-e59acf52d5c77de9a0ce4dabd6158f19/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/6669183/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Milwaukee-County-supervisors-lay-over-handsfree-driving-resolution-amid-enforcement-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669183-99906b0bd787d4546073e4958a8db143/orig.mp4?Expires=1770568772&Signature=aMQQbYyePvSMhr1IFT8frNVv4Rva42g1otWQ7KWDoUqAm2dKnmY2HWX2xd865xpAGjIeuFp0wz756NCX-3H4Rhwk4wjD1Z~unNBzQMajg7dwjx53wFUsNY-w6RgoKy8QayrXkyY3pjsxXSYi0NfBVsWYMdXBObnrbWtQbW6GI42ml5spsWjHD6YBrwS8fJAA3TJIbVqei0Qh94waviqx0jyRQIcDbLdWkBdRHrqREn-h8pHbSRkYLyne2UnDJVKbA0S4ST96ywVYq1CKxmx8Ub-l~-u-MhiUuhg0bMsa4ClNR7a7ZH2dVCvpWtPmKxZ~veFDUSF2EQnY1OEIZgzg0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Jan. 31, 2025, the Milwaukee County Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted to lay over a resolution urging state legislators to adopt a hands‑free driving law that would require drivers to use hands‑free technology and avoid holding cell phones while driving.

The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Skye Capriolo (Milwaukee County Board, District 15) and co‑sponsored by supervisors Capriollo, O'Connor, Ekblad, Rolland, Vincent and Logston, asks state lawmakers to reconsider previously proposed bipartisan hands‑free legislation as a next step to reduce distracted driving and to support the county's Vision 0 initiative. \"This resolution is basically just taking that next logical step to say, hey, let's just keep our hands off phones and on the wheel, anyone, everywhere,\" Capriolo said.

The measure drew widespread support for its safety goals but also persistent concern about possible unintended consequences. Peter Bergellis, a city alderman who joined Capriolo at the committee, described distracted driving as a widespread public‑safety problem and called the change \"an easy lift.\" \"This small plastic device can help save lives,\" Bergellis said.

Several supervisors urged caution. Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez said he feared enforcement could lead to profiling of immigrant drivers and asked that the resolution and any future legislation explicitly consider and mitigate those risks. \"The fear of being pulled over is just a really big thing,\" Martinez said, adding that many immigrant residents already face difficulties obtaining licenses and fear traffic stops. Supervisor Taylor and Supervisor Shea said they supported the resolution's intent but favored laying it over to draft additional language or attach an informal harm analysis that would address enforcement and equity concerns.

Supervisor O'Connor moved to lay the item over \"to the call of the chair.\" The committee voted 5–0 in favor. The roll call recorded \"aye\" votes from Supervisors O'Connor, Taylor (District 5), Shea, Coggs Jones and the chairwoman; no \"no\" votes were recorded. The motion was recorded as: \"On the motion by Supervisor O'Connor that item number 1 be laid over to the call of the chair.\" The committee clerk announced, \"5 ayes, 0 nos. The motion prevails.\" The formal action was recorded as a postponement (laid over) rather than a final endorsement of specific statutory language.

Capriolo told the committee she will work with colleagues to amend the resolution and add language addressing enforcement concerns; she also said she is introducing a companion resolution at the City of Milwaukee. Several supervisors asked staff to draft alternative wording to emphasize education and awareness or to include protections intended to prevent discriminatory enforcement. The committee did not adopt substantive amendments or direct staff to draft exact replacement language at the Jan. 31 meeting.

Next steps: the resolution will return when the chair calls it back, with sponsors indicating an intention to add language around enforcement and equity before resubmission to the committee.","The Intergovernmental Relations Committee laid over a resolution urging state lawmakers to require hands‑free phone use while driving after supervisors raised concerns about enforcement and impacts on immigrant communities.","actionData","errors"]

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County government outlines state budget priorities, seeks large state share for courthouse project

Milwaukee County supervisors lay over hands‑free driving resolution amid enforcement concerns