[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6429017,"mediaKeyId","5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca","parentId",5898969,"title","Residents, nonprofits push to restore down‑payment assistance and fund eviction‑prevention programs","audioSeconds",2717,"startMs",2849000,"endMs",5566000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca&start=2849&end=5566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca/thumbnail_2849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429017/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Residents-nonprofits-push-to-restore-downpayment-assistance-and-fund-evictionprevention-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429017-d92572ab07c96b18f7db00bb5caac08b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030404&Signature=kC2nsgbI01ODCyn-hzKwlr77RShAsrYfH3JboXEVVAtiKBMaz2bvOct9p8K6jPfYSzUCUaJA7RiCa3Nz5FuW~Qoruv7f75uOhb0PTTabHZjlXlnqp86~5yudKhoJ998~bGJf~hKKZBkqaiD-cUjYxo2BD5mAUGlzx7iiOshPutJ7AbASfrC~6dKZsuCkUo7RvVKhnVCslgLsv8UcGrHAswyf5o6b255fQiEkEZgaEwR~y1U19CyGxTpq7C2Gc-A72-qMvSDwMfAhCsNnYvvWlfXlqsWsxlnCQj2AzOxeVxBg8lqGRWSP37vvswfmHoGeTAloAw~rFFPeuU~O1sVVsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Milwaukee, WI","date","2025-10-06T18:40:00Z","article","Advocates, resident council members and legal aid officials urged the Milwaukee Common Council to restore down‑payment assistance funding and to continue or expand funding for eviction‑prevention programs during the public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget.

Timothy Scott, representing a neighborhood council, said the 2025 budget included $1,150,000 for down‑payment assistance but the proposed 2026 budget reduces that figure to $600,000. ‘‘That means 150 families will not be able to get this down payment assistance,’’ Scott said, asking the council to restore the funding to at least its prior level.

Speakers from community development organizations and resident councils described down‑payment assistance as a tool to stabilize neighborhoods and to blunt investor purchases that displace longtime residents. Joanna Jimenez, policy and advocacy director at the Community Development Alliance, said the collaborative program has increased first‑time homeownership and warned that a funding reduction ‘‘means that approximately 150 families will lose their opportunity to purchase a home in Milwaukee.’’

Several speakers requested restoring funding to $1,550,000 for 2026. Santa Calderon said raising the allocation to $1.55 million would ‘‘assist 150 families’’ and help stabilize neighborhoods.

Legal aid and eviction‑prevention advocates also spoke. Colleen Foley, director of Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, urged the council to support continued funding for Eviction Free Milwaukee, describing the program as a ‘‘watchdog’’ that preserves dignity and keeps families housed. Blue Pelican, a resident and tenant‑advocacy speaker, said Eviction Free Milwaukee and tenants' right to counsel have helped ‘‘over 13,000 Milwaukeeans avoid eviction’’ and cited a Stout study saying every dollar invested saves roughly $4 in downstream costs.

Speakers framed both investments—down‑payment assistance and eviction prevention—as cost‑effective, arguing they reduce longer‑term costs such as homelessness response and loss of neighborhood stability.

No formal votes took place at the hearing. The public testimony will inform council budget deliberations and potential amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","COMMON COUNCIL on 2025-10-06 6:30 PM - JOINT PUBLIC HEARING","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers at the budget public hearing urged the council to restore down‑payment assistance funding cut from $1.15 million to $600,000 and to continue or increase funding for Eviction Free Milwaukee and tenants' right to counsel.","taxTitle","Milwaukee , Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",2851,"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},6429019,"City workers and unions urge 6.5% pay increase in 2026 budget",158,648000,806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca&start=648&end=806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca/thumbnail_648000.jpg","/articles/6429019/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/City-workers-and-unions-urge-65-pay-increase-in-2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429019-9316d35f35f3af9ea5744fe8cabfcf66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030404&Signature=Y-VW4bfNK7A231UKaE~dvHqCf1eIu~oL1gXhUiUiWSAJgMFiF0Km25-aEmHL~MbvW4~CrKC1PMS60AmqOfu0R53DVTCZCDZexbwsAe9NUZRRdwjZD3NjDCb6vTcoTZG2UxNVOiKDdeGvrdGtbX8LuuX4uq5ZXEfMW~UbAQzH5prE2J77qANkzZFQoasH5xpQT-23tpVgJJYgz10CfL3ULsiMh~4RZgwSJw4m4tT9E2ZRus7rMh-2Ahyt3gJJTXGFs2Q-3J5nzD6DahURZ-luHwYflupEHy43hqs6zer55JbdY4keOGrCPm9KFt9K~QnwqAoWRR8DdgXhZRnKHkkn3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City employees, union leaders and retired city workers urged the Milwaukee Common Council at a public hearing to include a 6.5% wage increase in the proposed 2026 city budget, saying low pay undermines recruitment and service delivery across departments.

At the lectern, Ian Gunther, chief steward of AFSCME Local 47, said city workers have ‘‘come to the conclusion that we are well past due for compensation’’ and described long-term shortfalls. He said the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission recommended nearly 17% in raises since 2023 to keep up with the market but that the city had given only 3 to 4% in recent years. ‘‘Today, we humbly demand that only a quarter of what we deserve, 6 and a half percent,’’ Gunther said.

The union message was repeated by several city employees. Pam Fent, president of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, told the council that general city employees ‘‘deserve a higher raise’’ than recent increases and noted rising health-care premiums will further squeeze take-home pay. Dane McNeil, a Department of Neighborhood Services employee and AFSCME member, said the department’s work ‘‘is critically important to keeping private properties and our neighborhoods safe’’ and asked for the 6.5% increase to be placed in the 2026 budget.

City technical staff and operators described operational consequences of low pay. Jackson Williams, an electrical engineer in the Bureau of Electrical Services, said the city lacks enough field and engineering staff to maintain infrastructure, forcing the city to pay third‑party contractors whose work often requires city staff rework. ‘‘We do not currently have the field staff nor the engineering staff to keep up with, much less improve the state of our infrastructure effectively,’’ Williams said.

Several long‑tenured employees and retirees framed the raise request as a matter of dignity and retention. Emma Stamps, a retired city employee, said retirees who ‘‘have dedicated so many years to building this community only ask for the ability to retire with some comfort.’’ Petra Athens, a program assistant with the Department of Neighborhood Services, and other clerical and permit staff also asked the council to fund the 6.5% increase.

City inspector Juan Perez said many employees work second jobs to make ends meet and argued that better wages would attract younger workers and close gender pay gaps that government employment helps to narrow. ‘‘A lot of my fellow brothers and sisters in the union…need this help,’’ Perez said.

Speakers tied the raise discussion to service outcomes. Nate, a water plant operator, said low wages drive recruits away and result in greater reliance on contractors and delayed projects; that, he said, ultimately costs the city more. Union advocates argued a modest raise would reduce turnover, improve service continuity and lower contractor costs.

No formal council action or vote occurred during the public comment period. The hearing was a chance for residents and employees to present priorities before the finance committee and council considered formal budget amendments.

Speakers asked the council to consider funding tradeoffs and emphasized the human impacts of pay decisions on public safety services, water and electrical operations, code enforcement and permit processing. The council closed the hearing after announcing an additional community listening session on the proposed budget to be held Saturday, Oct. 18, 09:30–11 a.m. at the MLK library.

The public hearing provided input for council members and the mayor as they refine the proposed 2026 budget.","City employees and union leaders testified at a Milwaukee Common Council public hearing urging the council to include a 6.5% pay increase in the 2026 budget, saying wages have lagged behind inflation and that low pay hurts recruitment and service delivery.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429009,"Residents urge Milwaukee to use purchasing power to press WE Energies for renewable investment",1407,339000,1746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca&start=339&end=1746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca/thumbnail_339000.jpg","/articles/6429009/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Residents-urge-Milwaukee-to-use-purchasing-power-to-press-WE-Energies-for-renewable-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429009-f0a910875fd82f71c0d6dfab07faf9bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030404&Signature=JLDoZd6MDFZ6XJtN2de~kIuGIUnRXcsFXHQoMsAbLVbmE0UqBokecm-amdFh2vOq1vBorU7YGcyC1~NPJRKg1VuuCPnBLttDCKO7w4JF7PpJpqQNy9bp7mfsKEUukgS9QbL6quVTNKgXgsFE9Ql~N-YV7Z71jyoTXJqbQNya6o1Ff7VwEB4pC0To8aw8f62V8pnkvky9vw6hn9CFhUss5RwnBrJoVmZIDHrl~d8b0xgPOwTDMLN7IFv3OAMJ2~BJUfSyD52SMDv4IwyUieLYiVpP8dTOjS2OdOFO3pJOlCztRvBLpua-4Q8pd2Klxu5S0snfEKgxQQb3ijAaCpN3hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and climate advocates urged the Common Council to fund climate planning and use the city’s leverage with the private utility WE Energies to accelerate renewable energy investment.

Annie Carroll, who said she lives in Alder Alex Bowers’s district, urged the council to ‘‘consider what influence it can exert on WE Energies’’ and to push the utility for ‘‘transparency and accountability’’ about energy sourcing. Carroll noted municipal ownership is one model but said it would mean inheriting fossil‑fuel infrastructure; she pointed to Ann Arbor’s municipal sustainable energy utility as an example of an alternative path.

Elizabeth Zieg, a Milwaukee resident and parent, said she appreciated that the Environmental Collaboration Office is funded in the proposed budget and asked the council to use municipal purchasing power and customer leverage to press WE Energies to invest more in renewables. Several other witnesses raised flooding and air quality concerns from extreme weather events this summer as reasons for stronger climate investments and more funding for environmental health services.

Speakers emphasized prevention and resilience measures such as green infrastructure, stormwater management and environmental health services as cost‑effective investments to reduce emergency response costs over time.

No specific policy change was made at the hearing; speakers asked the council and the mayor to consider approaches, including stronger municipal advocacy with the utility and funding for local climate and environmental programs.","Speakers told the council to use the city's leverage as a major customer of WE Energies and to continue funding the Environmental Collaboration Office to accelerate renewable energy investment and climate resilience.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429012,"Jackson Park residents ask council to require single restoration and safety upgrades on 40th Street",113,206000,319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca&start=206&end=319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca/thumbnail_206000.jpg","/articles/6429012/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Jackson-Park-residents-ask-council-to-require-single-restoration-and-safety-upgrades-on-40th-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429012-c5b85c338d528084a553a0ca3bc7442e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030404&Signature=fHTTaWydVSucSusMoX5oxt3h~iV0WYzyvsj1xJIJDnrl23DgHBklk-67-lnMJzF3JvaV1y~tBFStguZBGy864xi0xpSvUWQS7GUii-H1n7dR1daYuMSsBbDZqCoMekD2ndzK4VspOUhIfvo42vxHkrrTiXa50UGBzEgnuK12hp5lmy-nLBK7Rv3wNxW~zO8iNF1gORvo9fr-pxvppIOZe5afpvZG6PSmeXFePNrPkmLDYTc4BuI~8LcmoVBzqQtVqo0pofbumokypXNUV8Dd6STQTsHuAeaebaxp009jPPNDnanzl7cpDrhF5zd4SS10NfSmz-m0cepf82lCO~ExSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Jackson Park neighborhood representative told the Common Council that a convergence of utility work and a Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) flood‑plain project creates a narrow window to improve pedestrian safety on 40th Street.

Jay Hasselhoff, speaking for the Jackson Park Community Association, said ATC will ‘‘tear up 40 Third Street from Cleveland to Oklahoma for the next 6 months to replace aging utilities’’ and that MMSD is ‘‘reshaping Jackson Park flood plain, relocating sports fields to 40 Third Street.’’ He warned that dozens of children will cross a major road mid‑block to reach the relocated fields.

Hasselhoff urged the council to ‘‘restore 40 Third Street once, not twice’’ by directing ATC to restore the street to the city’s plan on the first pass and investing the savings in safety measures such as curb bump‑outs, raised crosswalks and warning signage. ‘‘This is smart planning, safer crossing for children, fewer disruptions for neighbors, and better use of taxpayer dollars,’’ he said.

His testimony was submitted as public comment during the budget hearing; no council action or motion followed during the session.","Neighbors asked the city to require ATC to restore 40th Street to the city's plan during utility work and to use savings to fund safety measures after MMSD changes to Jackson Park's layout relocate sports fields to that corridor.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429015,"Residents urge prevention‑focused public safety investments, not larger police budget",626,942000,1568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca&start=942&end=1568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5898969-a75e96a3fb2e8c03a289777bf08f98ca/thumbnail_942000.jpg","/articles/6429015/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Residents-urge-preventionfocused-public-safety-investments-not-larger-police-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429015-90d0afdc77653d2bce9133db5493214c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030404&Signature=mxv-XvMSFWyhf~9UNnkIS-GiEdP0qDHjHACrjx-nvXRP8pZpde1WwQV5v~sNoWwosuhsXHd2us8JECdrtMEGC9v~vqEy~57PhcwdGHoU5hcjKrYw3iU3wdvB421qjhqppHBxEhDTDzJgQreXcqOf~~NiTG3cMAVwWMjHzY1VlQAclY-R8kr5YCIa5skjZdLi9ENm66Y2Cj6Wz3FLsw-hg41q9v6~AQMqWhNd78mY~RMphehBc10FlLqNtlemkvjRO7qs0fI0hkYDx2sA-esR7X5QXns71xWfMwSU0yxCPKDZn09KuJLSWHqzmbOcFE2ZmfldCf5mF3trP7Q~q2RznA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Youth leaders, advocacy groups and residents told the Milwaukee Common Council that public safety should prioritize prevention, services and housing over expanded policing in the 2026 budget.

Cristabel Martinez, a staff member with Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT), said the organization’s door‑to‑door work found public safety described by residents as ‘‘stability, opportunity, and care’’ rather than only enforcement. ‘‘Public safety as prevention, equity, and care,’’ Martinez said, urging the council to adopt a budget that ‘‘invests in people, strengthens our neighborhoods, and reflects the voices of Milwaukee’s Black, Brown, and working class communities.’’

Several young leaders from LIT and partner groups expanded on that theme. Markel Crawford, vice president of the Pathfinders Youth Action Board, told the council ‘‘safety doesn’t come from fear. It comes from opportunity’’ and urged more spending on mentorship, apprenticeships and youth development programs rather than responding after harm occurs.

Speakers argued that Milwaukee currently spends a large share of general fund dollars on public safety response while only a small fraction goes to prevention. ‘‘That means we’re spending the most on responding to harm after it happens, instead of preventing it in the first place,’’ Crawford said.

Other commentators urged investments in election administration, environmental health services and flood resilience as elements of a prevention‑oriented safety strategy. Selena Cruz of LIT recommended increased funding for the Milwaukee Elections Commission and environmental health services, citing ballot shortages during a spring election and recent flood damage in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Opposing voices at the hearing called for reduced police spending and greater investment in community services. Ron Jansen criticized what he called ‘‘infinite money on police’’ and said resources should be redirected to housing, health services and jobs programs.

No formal budget votes were taken during the hearing; speakers' recommendations will be considered during the budget review process.","Youth advocates and residents told the council to redefine public safety away from enforcement toward prevention—calling for youth programs, housing stability and services instead of bigger police budgets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, nonprofits push to restore down‑payment assistance and fund eviction‑prevention programs

City workers and unions urge 6.5% pay increase in 2026 budget

Residents urge Milwaukee to use purchasing power to press WE Energies for renewable investment

Jackson Park residents ask council to require single restoration and safety upgrades on 40th Street

Residents urge prevention‑focused public safety investments, not larger police budget