Local Government Advocates Air TV Ads

Madison — Partners for Strong Communities, the local government / public employee coalition formed last year to preserve state shared revenues, began a public information campaign today that focuses on the crucial contribution shared revenue makes to our communities.

The partners said they understand the severity of state government’s fiscal crisis, and recognize that local governments must share some of the pain caused by past state budgeting practices. But local cuts deeper than the additional $70 million cut proposed for 2004 in the state budget bill would decimate essential local services and place property taxpayers at risk, they said.

The coalition is airing television ads throughout the state on TV stations and cable systems. The ad features Keith Pirlot, a 25-year member of the National Guard and a member of Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin.

The coalition is airing television ads throughout the state on TV stations and cable systems.

Partners for Strong Communities includes the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, the Wisconsin Counties Association, Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin, Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin and AFSCME Councils 40 and 48.

"Shared revenue is vital to local government. It is a nearly century-old tradition that funds essential local services," said Bob Chybowski, executive director of AFSCME Council 40, which represents 32,000 county and municipal employees statewide. "It has to continue in the interest of public health and safety."

"Shared revenue is critical to public safety. The people of Wisconsin can’t live without it," said Rick Gale, president of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin.

"The cuts proposed by Governor Doyle are already substantial and will be difficult for municipalities to absorb," said Grantsburg Village President Mark Dahlberg, president of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

Dahlberg pointed out that the proposed $70 million cut in shared revenue payments to cities, villages and towns in 2004 is in addition to a $20 million reduction already scheduled for 2004.

"Further cuts would put an impossible burden on our residents and property taxpayers," Dahlberg said.

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