Rally in support of state legislation to reform Co. Board Mon.

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A rally was held Monday evening, May 6th in support of state legislation that would cut the pay and authority of the Milwaukee County Board.

State Rep. Joe Sanfelip­po (R - West Allis), the sponsor of the bill, and former County Supervi­sor Joseph Rice spoke at the rally.

Monday evening's rally came on the same day Milwaukee County Supervisors voted to override Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's veto of a plan developed by supervisors to reform the County Board.

The board voted in favor of reforming itself and against state imposed changes in previous meetings.  This plan would reduce salaries by 10% and require supervisors to take training every other year.  It would also reduce the Board's budget.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele vetoed those measures, calling them impractical and illegal.

“It’s just a different vision of what County governance should be. It’s clear that the exec would rather not have a locally generated plan,” County Supervisor Theodore Lipscomb said.

A state proposed reform bill would slash the County Board’s budget, reduce staff and shrink salaries.  That is a measure four County Board members are in favor of seeing implemented.

“After all the controversy that’s been going on here the last few weeks, it was better that the state just kind of take charge and have the reform take place in Madison,” County Supervisor Steve Taylor said.

The Board still has to make changes to the its plan.  However, if a state bill is passed, it overrides any County proposal.