Milwaukee council unanimously opposes recent Supreme Court voting‑rights ruling and We Energies rate increase

The Milwaukee Common Council adopted two resolutions by unanimous consent opposing recent actions affecting voting rights and utility rates.

One resolution expresses the council’s opposition to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision narrowing protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Several members framed the resolution as a defense of minority voting protections; Alderman Stamper described the ruling as an erosion of long‑fought civil‑rights protections and urged colleagues to support the resolution.

The second resolution directs the city attorney to intervene in We Energies’ pending rate‑increase case. Alderwoman Dimitrijevich described the proposed increases as particularly harmful to Milwaukee residents, citing analyses the file put in the record that show steep cumulative rate growth: "The request would increase the typical residential customer's bill by $14.67 per month or 10.28%, and then another 5.52% in January 2028," she said, calling the proposed hikes “outrageous” for residents already facing high energy burdens.

Colleagues from across the council spoke in favor of intervening and urged a united message to the Public Service Commission; Alderman Brower urged stronger public accountability and suggested using state law as a long‑term tool to address monopoly power. By roll call the two files were adopted with 15 ayes; the council recorded cosponsors during the floor discussion before unanimous consent was granted.

The council’s formal adoption authorizes the city attorney to take the legal steps outlined in the resolution and signals a unanimous municipal response to both the court ruling and the utility rate request. The council then continued with other scheduled business.