In a spat that seems to be more about scoring political points than hashing out fiscal accountability, Alderman Peter Burgelis has clapped back at Senator Van Wanggaard over his claims concerning the management of Milwaukee's budget. Burgelis, who sits on the Common Council's Public Safety and Health Committee and the Finance and Personnel Committee, called out the senator's recent statements as a classic case of misdirection. "Senator Wanggaard’s comments show a troubling pattern of political theater over genuine problem solving," Burgelis’ statement read. He accused Wanggaard of dodging direct communication and instead opting for public misstatements, according to the City of Milwaukee.
The heart of the issue lies in the application of Act 12—an already intricate piece of legislation that outlines how certain revenues are to be allocated within the city's budget. While Wanggaard pointed fingers at misuse of funds meant for pension stabilization and public safety, Burgelis was quick to correct that notion stating, "The City of Milwaukee follows Act 12 exactly as written: pension stabilization first, then investment in public safety." According to his statement, there seems to be a clear misconception—or intentional misrepresentation—of the financial laws at play, particularly since Act 12, as per Burgelis, does not allow for revenues to be used on wages, contrary to Wanggaard’s insinuations, as per the National Weather Service.
Adding to the drama, it appears there's been a lack of face-to-face communication between the senator and the alderman, despite repeated attempts by the latter. "I have repeatedly invited him to community meetings in the very neighborhoods we both represent portions of," Burgelis noted, as reported by the City of Milwaukee. He’s offered chances to collaborate and share information, though those invitations haven’t been taken up by Wanggaard. This, from Burgelis' perspective, casts doubt on Wanggaard's stated concern for their shared constituents.
Amidst Burgelis' clarification is the assertion of Milwaukee's commitment towards transparency with the application of Act 12 funds, mentioning an automatic audit required by the legislature. "Act 12 already requires an automatic audit by the legislature," he confirmed. This statement reinforces the idea that, at least in Burgelis' view, Milwaukeeans should be served with hard work and effective governance rather than becoming the backdrop for political theatre. His call to action is for leaders to "roll up their sleeves, ask questions in the proper forums, and work together on solutions" instead of indulging in what he labels as "political gamesmanship," as stated by the City of Milwaukee.
