MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WSAU) - One of the leading candidates for Wisconsin governor announced plans today to privatize major operations in the government he’s running now.
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker delivered his “State of the County” address. And he said he wanted to cut costs by having private firms run Mitchell International Airport, county parks, and security at the courthouse.
He said the airport could make a profit if a private firm ran it – and the money could be used to reduce the county’s debt, and help pay for the county bus system.
Walker also said he would propose a reduction in Milwaukee County’s tax levy for his next budget in September – when he’ll be busy campaigning for the Republican nomination for governor.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that Walker has defined a tax levy freeze as the same level of increase as the prior year – just under three-percent on average.
The paper also notes that Walker has had mixed success in his past efforts to privatize county government. He tried to order a study last year on privatizing the airport, but the County Board said no. Walker did manage to have a private firm take over janitorial services at the courthouse this year, at a saving of over two-and-a-half million dollars.
