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77 SQUARE MILES
Alex Saloutos
4 days ago5 min read
Equity Ignored: Why the Mayor’s Proposal to Bail Out Madison Ice, Inc. Misses the Mark on Racial Justice
Highlights The mayor’s bailout of Madison Ice, Inc. was not evaluated using the city’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative...
215 views1 comment
Alex Saloutos
5 days ago4 min read
$1.6 Million Debt Forgiveness and $1 Land Deals: Too Many Unanswered Questions About Mayor’s Bailout of Madison Ice, Inc.
Highlights The mayor and Alder Guequierre propose forgiving $1.6 million in debt plu accrued interest, and authorizing the fee simple...
398 views1 comment
Alex Saloutos
Jan 85 min read
Why Aren’t Ice Arena Users Paying Their Fair Share?
"This is the line for free money, right?" Highlights Despite consistent large surpluses, Madison Ice, Inc. has failed to make a single...
639 views8 comments
Alex Saloutos
Dec 18, 20248 min read
Despite Red Flags and Financial Irregularities, City Committee Supports Mayor’s Controversial Bailout of Madison Ice, Inc.
Key Points The City's Economic Development Committee supports approval of Mayor’s proposal to bail out Madison Ice, Inc. Madison Ice,...
296 views2 comments
Alex Saloutos
Dec 10, 20245 min read
Rhodes-Conway and Guequierre Pair Up On Proposal to Forgive $1.6 Million in Ice Arena Debt and Sell Them for $1 Each. Learn More at Thursday’s Community Meeting.
Key Points: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Alder John Guequierre have sponsored a proposal to forgive $1.6 million in principal and the...
519 views7 comments
Alex Saloutos
Nov 23, 202411 min read
Rhodes-Conway and Guequierre Propose Forgiving $1.6 Million Debt Plus Interest Owed to City by Financially Successful Nonprofit
Key Points Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Alder John Guequierre (District 19) propose forgiving $1.6 million in debt, plus accrued...
2,159 views9 comments
Alex Saloutos
Nov 2, 20243 min read
Madison Says It’s Broke, Auditors and Investors Disagree
Key Points Madison's budget has historically shown overestimated expenses and underestimated revenues. Madison’s revenues have outpaced...
599 views3 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 31, 20247 min read
Is the Infrastructure Special Charge Actually a Tax? Mayor's Proposal Could Face Legal Challenge According to Wisconsin Policy Forum.
Key Points The Wisconsin Policy Forum flagged the Infrastructure Special Charge (ISC) in the mayor’s budget as vulnerable to legal...
257 views0 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 25, 20242 min read
Mayor Sponsored Resolution Recommending $110,000 for Printing and Mailing Postcard on Property Tax Referendum
The City of Madison’s postcard notifying residents about the upcoming referendum to permanently increase the property tax levy by $22...
900 views0 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 23, 202410 min read
The Untold Story: What the Wisconsin State Journal Missed About Madison's Lobbying and Fiscal Challenges
Key Takeaways From This Post Madison's growing structural deficit appears to be exacerbated by weak lobbying efforts under Mayor Satya...
421 views0 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 21, 20247 min read
Public Market Fiasco: City Hall’s Costly Mistake Hits Taxpayers Hard
Illustration: Madison Public Market Foundation As I mentioned in a recent post, I’ll be sharing information with you between now and the...
463 views1 comment
Alex Saloutos
Oct 17, 20241 min read
Wisconsin Policy Forum Unveils Budget Brief on Madison’s 2025 Operating Budget and $22M Property Tax Referendum
The Wisconsin Policy Forum just dropped their Budget Brief today, October 17, on Madison's 2025 Proposed Budget, offering fresh and...
235 views0 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 16, 20242 min read
City Leaders Make Case Madison's Permanent Tax Hike and New Fees Are Unnecessary, Cite Inequitable Impact on Struggling Families.
At a press conference this afternoon at the Inn on the Park, former alder Sheri Carter, retired Dane County sheriff Dave Mahoney, and...
303 views1 comment
Alex Saloutos
Oct 13, 20244 min read
Growth and Change vs. Rosy Memories and Budget Cuts is a False Choice: The Rhodes-Conway Property Tax Referendum and Fiscally Responsible, Sustainable Growth.
As we approach the November 5 referendum, arguments in favor of a permanent property tax increase for Madison are circulating. One recent...
254 views4 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 11, 20245 min read
Premature and Unjustified: Madison's Referendum to Permanently Increase Property Taxes.
Unpacking the Rush: Why Voters Should Rethink the Referendum. As Madison approaches the November 5 referendum to permanently increase...
1,633 views2 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 9, 20242 min read
Madison’s Library Hours and the Misleading Politics of the Upcoming Property Tax Referendum
The mayor’s office just announced a concerning proposal alongside the continued push for voters to approve a permanent property tax...
593 views1 comment
Alex Saloutos
Oct 7, 20242 min read
Me Want Cookie!
The infamous Guerilla Cookie, which disappeared in the early 90s, is making a comeback. Photo credit: The Daily Cardinal. Guess who's...
24 views0 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 5, 20241 min read
City Hall Should Fix the Problem, Not the Blame.
As we grapple with the structural deficit and inequitable state aid, it's time for city hall to shift their focus from political...
257 views1 comment
Alex Saloutos
Oct 4, 20245 min read
Madison's Lobbying Efforts Need More Than Political Theatrics: Seven Strategies for Long-Term Success.
On October 3, 2024, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway held her second press conference in two weeks to publicly shame our parsimonious...
362 views0 comments
Alex Saloutos
Oct 3, 20242 min read
Home Runs and High Heels in Pro Sports: How Drag Culture Builds Bigger Crowds and Stronger Communities!
Madison is all about fun, inclusivity, and creativity—and what better way to celebrate that than with a Drag Night at the ballpark? The...
39 views0 comments
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