The News: WILL has filed a new lawsuit against Milwaukee County to end an unconstitutional carve out allowing Milwaukee County to withhold millions from Wisconsin’s Common School Fund. This fund, mandated by the Wisconsin Constitution, supports libraries in schools and communities across Wisconsin. Under a provision tucked away in the current state budget, Milwaukee County may take 100% of all traffic fines and forfeitures, while other counties must deposit most of this money into the Common School Fund. Milwaukee County is now the only county that benefits from this carve out in the state budget.
The Quotes: WILL Associate Counsel, Lauren Greuel, stated, “The ‘Cream City Carve Out,’ is a flagrant and unconstitutional money grab by Milwaukee County, okayed by the last state budget. Our constitution requires these funds to go into the Common School Fund, and this budget provision is plainly unlawful. Library funding should be protected to ensure this vital resource continues to serve Wisconsinites for generations to come.”
WILL Client, Christine Stueland, stated, “As a taxpayer and library user, I know that every dollar matters. It’s frustrating to watch politicians in Madison give Milwaukee special treatment while others are shortchanged. If we don’t fight back for fairness and equal treatment for all, it will only get worse.”