Milwaukee County Executive outlines vision for racial equity

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says the focus of his administration is going to be addressing racial equity.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says the focus of his administration is going to be addressing racial equity.

"The truth is, we face two pandemics: COVID-19 and racism, and we need to change the way we serve the people of Milwaukee County to combat them both," Crowley said.

He says his administration is making racial equity in the county a top priority.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley

"Today, I'll make a commitment to you, the people of Milwaukee County, to dedicate the work of my administration to addressing these inequities," Crowley said.

The county executive says the pandemic has highlighted major disparities, and everyone needs to correct this.

"Create intentional inclusion, build the gap, invest in equity," he said.

However, his administration is plagued by something that existed in this office well before the pandemic.

"If we're going to get over this pandemic, we need to continue to call on our state and federal legislators for more resources in general," he said.

To put it simply — the lack of money to go around in the county budget presents a challenge.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley

"It's going to be tough, but we're going to make sure that we make decisions through a racial equity lens," Crowley said.

For years, county staff has had to do more with less — and this fiscal year appears to be no different, and the county executive said he'll help as much as he can.

"I can tell you that one of the biggest places, departments, that we want to make sure that we focus on is our parks department because see how much that they are losing right now," Crowley said.

He says, however, that without people spending money in the county -- a reliable source of tremendous income -- their ability to deliver will be hindered.

The county executive says he wants county employees, as well as residents, to contact his office and share their thoughts on how funding, this year, should be prioritized.

Read the full outline here:

Crowley offered five calls of action for viewers:

Vote. There’s an election tomorrow, Tuesday Aug. 11. There’s no better way to use your power to make change than to elect leaders. Visit myvote.wi.gov to learn more about who is on the ballot and how to vote safely.
Contact state and federal legislators to tell them how much you value Milwaukee County services. Tell them we need more direct and flexible funding. We can’t invest in equity or health without more resources. You can find them by also going to myvote.wi.gov.
Engage in our budget process. Visit county.milwaukee.gov for details.
Support local small businesses in this difficult time. Small businesses are taking it on it the chin due to the pandemic and every customer helps them stay afloat. Much like the economic and health insecurities have been magnified by the pandemic, so have the challenges for Black-owned businesses. Lack of financial savings, less access to capital, and funding gaps that existed prior to the pandemic have intensified the demographic disparities.
Take a look at the people around you, especially at your leadership tables. How many people of color do you seen? Whose voice is the loudest? How many different opinions do you seek out? Think hard about whether the people who make the decisions in your sphere of influence represent the full diversity of Milwaukee County. Think, and most importantly, make an intentional plan about what you are going to do to make the needed changes to achieve equity.

In closing, Crowley said: