Paul Soglin: Waxing America

More Accolades for Madison

I am happy to share more national recognition for Madison, this one from USA Today.

 http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2012/10/11/madison-wisconsin-best-college-football-town/1628263/

 Just another reminder of the many ways residents and visitors can enjoy our city, its parks, lakes, attractions, restaurants, and people.  Enjoy the day!

Paul Ryan for President

On election night 1994, I was sitting in the bar at the Inn on the Park with buddy Ron Domini watching the election returns. The networks reported that young George W. Bush upset Ann Richards in the Texas gubernatorial race. I turned to Ron, and said, "We have to defeat these guys now. They take an election like this and then next thing you know they are a viable candidate for President."

When Paul Ryan slipped in to Congress though Wisconsin's First Congressional District, the writing was on the wall. Since the Democrats success in 2008, Ryan carefully positioned himself as a viable candidate for 2012, if not 2016.

Now comes the Wisconsin Public Research Institute Revenge of the Nerd: Why Paul Ryan Could be Our Next President handicapping a Ryan presidential bid.

Actually it is not much different that what we have said here at Waxing America:

• Paul Ryan - Wisconsin's Stand Up Comic  -  Ryan is a johnny-come-lately to health care and a tool of the worst elements fo the heath insurance lobby.
• Paul Ryan: When Will You Look At the Facts About the Deficit?  Ryan makes exaggerated and false statements about the budget and the deficit.
• Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan: Medicare Assassin - he wants to destroy Medicare just as he intends to put Social Security in the hands of the private sector so his buddies can make outrageous transactional fees off the public.  Also: Paul Ryan: Alarmist or Fraud, or Both?
• Paul Ryan of Janesville is no Sarah Palin -It is that very private system he is defending that accounts for the expansive cost of American health care.

The difference between Ryan and the younger Bush is not their policies, but that Ryan is not as inept. Which is what makes him so dangerous.

 

ed note: this post originally appeared February 3, 2010

Borrowing for The CIty Budget - Limitations and Rules

When Dean Mosiman of the Wisconsin State Journal wrote Agencies' responses to Soglin's budget request would cut deeply, for 2012, this comment appeared:

...interest rates are at an all time low...more borrowing at this advantageous time...

The use of borrowing by governments is one of the most misunderstood aspects of budgeting. While many states and the federal government do not have a coherent set of rules and guidelines for borrowing, most cites, counties, school districts, and other local governments try to abide by the standards set by the Government Finance Officers Association budget practices, particularly debt and debt capacity.

Do Not Borrow for Operating Budget Items

The operating budget covers salaries, routine equipment and supply purchases. These are functions of government that do not provide a benefit after their immediate use.

The capital budget is used for those items that have a long life, usually more than ten years. Borrowing can be used for most capital budget items. Heavy earth moving equipment that lasts more than a decade fits, cars for the city fleet do not. Laptops do not, but enterprise software programs do.

The point is that you can borrow for roads, buses, buildings and those types of purchases that have a life as long or longer than the borrowing.

When you start borrowing for day-to-day needs, the outcome is different. It means next year you have to pay the debt on the money you borrowed for food and the utility bill as well as this year's food and utility bill. Clearly this kind of Ponzi scheme can last only so long.

Do Not Borrow What You Cannot Afford to Repay

The nature of the problem is not much different for our city than it is for your family. If you borrow $300,000 to purchase a home, you have to pay back the principal and interest over a fixed period of time. If your income is $300,000 a year, a monthly mortgage payment of $4000 a month is affordable. If you make $60,000 a year, it does not work. In fact, it still would not work even if you have no interest payments and only have to pay the principal.

If your borrowing results in a house payment that is more than you can manage, you will not have enough money to pay for utilities, food, and other basics.

That is what we did here in Madison.  Our enormous debt service load is taking away dollars to use for snow removal, park maintenance and public safety.

We cannot borrow our way out of this problem. In fact, we had to make two significant changes in borrowing practices:

1. We stopped borrowing for operating budget items.
2. We reduced our borrowing because our debt service is already too high and it takes away dollars we need for current city services. 

 

 

 

 

Getting My Priorities Right For the City of Madison

A reader wrote into the Wisconsin State Journal on Tuesday, Todd Van Fossen: Soglin should focus on crime, not signs: 

As a nearly lifelong Madison resident, I was baffled and appalled by Mayor Paul Soglin’s interview with Shawn Doherty. It was either a case of bad mayoral priorities, bad reporting and interviewing, or both. I have tremendous respect for Soglin, but the city has real problems that require real leadership....

...Crime is rampant. It’s a problem. It happens under the shadow of the West Side Police Station on McKenna.Mr. Mayor, with all due respect, the problem is not with signs at Johnson and Mills that impede your bicycling. The problem is crime and the declining home values and quality of life it causes in neighborhoods that are a primary tax base of our city...

 

Frankly, I cannot blame Mr. Van Fossen. Clearly it is time for me to return to blogging to make sure that Madisonians know that I hear from them, what is important to me, and what I recommend we do.

The first and most important challenge is to tackle City of Madison budget issues. We took several blows from the state in lost shared revenues, transportation aids, and recycling funds. In addition we have our own problems created by a series of decisions that lead to too much borrowing, borrowing for operating expenses, and relying on grants that required the city to step in with significant expenditures to maintain required service levels.

After we stabilize the budget we will be able to get into a position where we can tackle the problems of many Madison neighborhoods. We are well aware of the challenges -- rising poverty, increased crime, particularly violent crime, and needed employment opportunities. We are not waiting. Certain areas of the city are getting heightened police coverage, attention for violence related to substance abuse and mental illness, and issues related to neglected property.

At the same time there are still the 'broken window matters'. Some are aesthetic, such as illegal signage. Others are more serious such as carelessly parked bicycles and scooters on sidewalks that make the way impassable for anyone using a walker or a wheelchair.

I love the challenge of solving these problems.  Some commentators prefer to gossip about my attitude in addressing these very sobering and serious problems. I am serious about them. But I also get great joy when we solve these matters and I see an open government engage residents and public officials in a process that improves our quality of life.

Mayor-Elect Paul Soglin Hits The Ground Running

Yesterday was filled with meetings with City officials and press avails. Dean Mosiman's story in the Wisconsin State Journal had details:

Energized by his win Tuesday, Mayor-elect Paul Soglin on Wednesday met with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and city managers and started to forge his early agenda.

Soglin, mayor for 14 years over three decades, said he intends to revive "neighborhood resource teams" of police, building inspectors, public health nurses and others to address growing poverty. He's exploring a humane way to control the geese population. And he wants to use appointments to bring more diversity to the city's array of committees.

"We're going to be moving on many tracks at once," he said.

Soglin, who takes office April 19, said Cieslewicz initiatives such as rebuilding the Central Library and planning for a public market southeast of the Capitol "will continue on present course."

But he said he will seek briefings on why decisions were made and particular options chosen. "We may or may not make changes," he said.

Cieslewicz took no issue with that approach. "That's absolutely fair," he said. "I'd do that myself. I think he's going to find that these are all solid decisions."

The mayor credited Soglin with an effective, clean campaign and vowed to "do everything in our power to make the transition easy for him so he can be successful."

We owe a huge thank you to Mayor Cieslewicz for his assistance in this transition. He's been gracious and helpful.

(For those of you waiting for a callback from Paul, or a response to an email, have a little patience. Nearly every Madisonian and a few thousand from elsewhere have wanted to congratulate him or offer an idea.)

- Barry Orton

 

Mayor-Elect Paul Soglin: "Thank You, Madison"

Paul Soglin has been elected mayor of Madison again. The Wisconsin State Journal's Dean Mosiman had the best lede:

Maybe he is mayor for life.

In a scenario unlikely only a few months ago, former Mayor Paul Soglin on Tuesday stunned two-term incumbent Mayor Dave Cieslewicz to recapture the office he has held longer than anyone in city history.

Soglin, 65, mayor from 1973 to 1979 and again from 1989 to 1997, entered the race late and ran a spirited campaign, serving as the aggressor throughout.

The Capital Times' Kristin Czubkowski's story focused on what made the difference in a very close contest:

With the final unofficial numbers coming down to just more than 700 votes separating the two candidates, Soglin added that the individual work of campaign staffers and volunteers became even more important.

"It's very clear in an election like this that everything makes a difference," he said.

Paul thanks his supporters and all of the City of Madison's voters, and promises not to let them down.  He's already started working on the transition; he takes office in two short weeks.

Thanks to everyone who helped in any way. Thanks to the many people who approached Paul and encouraged him with a hug or handshake, and to the many teachers, firefighters, snowplow drivers, nurses, police, students, and others who gave him a "thumbs-up" while they were parading around the Square or voicing their concerns at a demonstration or rally.

Thanks also are due to Dave Cieslewicz, who ran a clean, issues-oriented campaign, and as mayor always did his best for Madison's citizens. He and all his supporters are all our friends and neighbors, and will remain so long after the details of this campaign have faded in memory.

- Barry Orton

"Paul Is Uniquely Qualified To Guide Madison Through The Minefield The Walker Administration Has Created"

Veteran Madison newsman Tim Morrissey wishes he could vote for Paul, but alas, he lives a few hundred feet outside of Madison city limits.  That's not stopping Tim from making his preference known:

I can’t vote for Paul Soglin. But that’s only because I don’t live in the city of Madison. If you live in the city, I strongly suggest you vote for Hizzoner. I believe so strongly that Paul is the right man for the job at the right time, that I may just wander over to the polling place for the 57th Ward, where I used to live, see if I’m still on the voter list (it’s only been 16 years) and cast a vote or two for Paul.

... I’ve known Paul for 23 years, personally and professionally, and I’ve never seen him more energized and more ready to take on and solve the challenges ahead for Madison. Dave has done a decent job of running the city, but Paul is uniquely qualified to guide Madison through the minefield the Walker administration has created for Madison and Dane County. (emphasis added) 

 

                                                       

- Barry Orton

Editor's Note: Campaign contributions can be made out to Soglin for Mayor and mailed to PO Box 1228, Madison WI 53701. Please include contact information and whether we can use your name as a supporter.  Let us know if you can volunteer or sponsor a fundraiser. State law requires you to supply employer information (name and address) if your contribution is over $100 in a calendar year. The campaign website at http://www.soglinformayor.com is able to take online contributions, but please feel free to go old school via the US Postal Service.

"We Need Mayor Paul Soglin’s Broad, Inclusive Vision — Now More Than Ever"

A letter in today's Capital Times from former Middleton Mayor Judy Karofsky:

Dear Editor: I support Paul Soglin for mayor because he is an exceptional leader. He affords Madison a competitive edge. He served in city government, and he worked in the private sector, in the financial world, and for a transformative high-tech company. He personifies the new economy.

While the incumbent mayor talks about jobs of high value, Soglin gets it that the critical jobs that will support our city’s future are filled by “creatives” — highly educated people who create value-added businesses, software and technology. Leaders of the new economy have unlimited choices of places to live, and competition for their contributions is intense. Soglin knows they want walkable, lively neighborhoods, strong schools, and intergenerational activities. He teaches graduate students at the UW-Madison, and he understands that, in these times, even the creatives are financially constrained.

A Madison resident since 1993, I’ve observed Soglin both inside and outside of government. He demonstrated how to create a Madison kind of place — a diverse community. He helped develop affordable neighborhoods, recreational opportunities, cultural landmarks, and clusters of employment. He has pledged to work with community leaders, advocates, business people, and public officials to support a full spectrum of housing for those who are young or old, whether they are well or need help. We have serious challenges ahead, and we need Mayor Paul Soglin’s broad, inclusive vision — now more than ever.

Judy Karofsky

former mayor of Middleton

 

Editor's Note: Campaign contributions can be made out to Soglin for Mayor and mailed to PO Box 1228, Madison WI 53701. Please include contact information and whether we can use your name as a supporter.  Let us know if you can volunteer or sponsor a fundraiser. State law requires you to supply employer information (name and address) if your contribution is over $100 in a calendar year. The campaign website at http://www.soglinformayor.com is able to take online contributions, but please feel free to go old school via the US Postal Service.

Sly's Post On Why He's Voting For Soglin

Sly has a post (with some great historical photos) up today on why he supports Paul for mayor:

What makes Paul Soglin America's most unique Mayor is the time he spends, in and out of office, obsessing over public policy. When Soglin is not teaching it, he studies it. When he's not blogging about it, he's on the radio talking about it.

...The most important article on this year’s mayoral race is in the Madison Times. Paul Soglin understands the most critical issue for our city's future: combating poverty in Madison.

The Madison Times piece is worth reading.

- Barry Orton

East Side Neighbrhood Activist Switches Support To Soglin

From Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal:

I supported Dave Cieslewicz during his first two elections for mayor, but no more.

The list of people and principles disrespected by Cieslewicz in recent years continues to grow. It includes volunteer members of city commissions, residents of our official historic districts, long-serving and distinguished city employees and the time-honored tradition of neighborhood associations having a valued voice at city hall.

By comparison, Paul Soglin built his well-deserved legacy by supporting and nurturing these very principles, championing the voice of the people. His commitment to open and inclusive government, inviting the input of all parties, is what we need now more than ever.

While I respect Mayor Dave on many levels, the divisiveness of his past term stained the spirit of civic involvement in Madison. Now that we find ourselves in this hole, we need the proven leadership of Paul Soglin to help the city find its way forward.

- Joe Lusson, Madison, Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood council

- Barry Orton

Editor's Note: Campaign contributions can be made out to Soglin for Mayor and mailed to PO Box 1228, Madison WI 53701. Please include contact information and whether we can use your name as a supporter.  Let us know if you can volunteer or sponsor a fundraiser. State law requires you to supply employer information (name and address) if your contribution is over $100 in a calendar year. The campaign website at http://www.soglinformayor.com is able to take online contributions, but please feel free to go old school via the US Postal Service.