{image1} Why would a member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors who was elected in a recall election under the guise of reform and tax cutting not only vote for a tax increase, but also vehemently defend it while attacking the community's No. 1 taxpayer hero, County Executive Scott Walker?
That is a question that a lot of folks are asking, and one that has Sup. Ryan McCue trying to defend his actions over the past few weeks.
Run to the courthouse if you have an answer.
McCue, elected amid the post-Ament recall elections of eight supervisors (seven of them lost their bids) was quickly elevated to the position of vice chairman of the board's Finance and Audit Committee. In his role, McCue has an influential seat in the crafting of the board's budget and discussion on setting the property tax levy.
In defending his actions, McCue pointed out that not one of his colleagues could find any government spending so appalling as to introduce an amendment to eliminate it. He also criticized a proposal by Walker to issue pension obligations bonds, calling them irresponsible.
McCue was noticeably quiet when Gov. Jim Doyle, the state of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Public Schools proposed and passed similar packages, as was the daily newspaper.
So, McCue is clueless, but that's not his only worry. In the end, McCue may have far greater concerns than a frugal county executive; he may find himself at odds with the very reform movement that vaulted him into office.
Citizens for Responsible Government have had their hands full lately with the antics of a certain suburban state legislator, but lest the supervisor from Cudahy forget, it was their relentless assault on politicians that say one thing and do another that resulted in the sweeping change of power at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
Could McCue be the next victim of that reform movement? Stay tuned.
With less than 160 days remaining before McCue is eligible to be recalled, there is already talk about trying to oust him. While many have doubted the ability of CRG and others to mount such a challenge in the post-reform era, they do so at their own peril, because thanks to CRG, there is no such thing as a post-reform era.
Cleaning up a little business back home, so to speak, might be exactly what CRG needs to really kick-start a statewide effort.
Regardless of what that determined crew has planned, McCue and others who defiantly sell themselves as tax hawks and reformers only to forget that when they cast their vote on the public's behalf should beware.
The anti-tax movement is not dead; it is alive and well, and may be coming to a town near them soon.
Further west the upcoming budget battle at the state level promises to be equally as challenging and entertaining as the ones we've seen here in Milwaukee County. Republicans, led by Assembly Speaker John Gard, will raise the no-tax-increase flag high and proudly, and, amazingly enough, so might Doyle.
However, unlike the tough decisions made locally by Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, look to Doyle to once again raid the patients' compensation fund, raise University of Wisconsin tuition and impose higher fees for a variety of services, perhaps including hunting and fishing licenses and for automobile registration.
This will undoubtedly fuel the anti-tax fires and give CRG and its counterparts continued media exposure, fundraising prowess and increased legitimacy to continue the fight.
Unfortunately for Ryan McCue, he has already cast his ballot. All that is left is to see how his constituents, with the help of CRG, will cast his fate.
Jim Villa, a former top aide to Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, ran Walker's re-election campaign and now runs a political consulting business called The Markesan Group.
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of OnMilwaukee.com, its advertisers or editorial staff.
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