Key Points On April 21, the Common Council will vote on proposed changes to Madison’s police oversight ordinance that would subject the Office of the Independent Police Monitor to mayoral control and restrict its access to MPD records and independent legal advice. Taken together, the proposed changes would make the Independent Monitor subservient to the Mayor and the Police Department, the very agency the OIM is charged with overseeing. That is the opposite of what the Counci

This is a follow-up to the blog I posted yesterday, $6.2 Million, 29 Homes, and the Question Nobody Asked , about the city's acquisition of the remaining vacant land at Royster Corners. That story focused on the appraisal, assessment, and sales price. This story looks at higher-level, systemic issues. Key Points Eleven parcels included in the acquisition have no economic value and are liabilities, not assets. The city is paying top dollar to take over a project the developer

Key Points On Tuesday, March 10, the Common Council votes on whether to pay $5.2 million for land the City’s own Assessor values at $1,481,000. The resolution says the purchase price was negotiated based on an appraisal. That appraisal covers only 6 of the 17 parcels being bought. The other 11—added to the acquisition during negotiations with the developer—have none. The legislative record discloses neither fact. The appraisal applies a market value standard to what is demons

Madison’s biggest affordable homeownership investment ever in owner-occupied housing skipped the most basic question: Is this the best way to help families buy homes? Editor's note: On February 24, 2026, the Common Council approved Legistar File 91615 by unanimous consent on the consent agenda. No alder requested separate consideration. There was no discussion and no debate. Key Points The Common Council is voting tonight on Legistar File 91615, which commits $6.2 million in

The Common Council should refer this legislation back for meaningful stakeholder engagement before creating unintended consequences for residential neighborhoods. Key Points Ordinance creates low-density housing and is unlikely to accomplish the city's stated goals. Key provisions contradict best practices, undermining goals for density, affordability, market acceptance, and neighborhood compatibility. Ordinance permits parking ramps and 16-car surface lots by right in reside

Madison's Police Civilian Oversight Board has hired Aeiramique "Meeka" Glass as Interim Independent Police Monitor. Glass brings extensive experience from Baltimore's troubled police department—and is currently suing her previous employer after being fired for demanding real oversight independence. The central question now is whether Madison will provide the genuine independence it claims to value.

The 2015 shooting of Tony Robinson Jr. by Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny led to the creation of the Office of the Independent Monitor. This banner from the original 2015 protests was carried again at a 10th anniversary memorial march in March 2025. Photo: Ruthie Hauge/Cap Times. At tonight's Common Council meeting, Alders Isadore Knox Jr. (District 14), Barbara Harrington-McKinney (District 20), and Joann Pritchett (District 9) introduced an 11th-hour floor amendment to de

Key Points DMI ’ s consultants began work in July—two months before tonight ’ s Council vote on the $150,000 contract The actual contract...

Key Points City officials knew about the referendum requirement “from the beginning” but kept it hidden through 8 years of planning Less...

In my previous post, I explained how Madison’s city attorney appears to be violating Wisconsin law by providing substantive legal...

Key Points The contradiction revealed: Court bans “new evidence,” city provides substantive legal advocacy disguised as “education." The...

Key Points: Vos has never met with Mayor Rhodes-Conway—and she has never requested a meeting, despite his key role in determining state...

Highlights Madison's Common Council is set to pass a resolution tonight increasing the threshold for no-bid service contracts from...

Highlights The mayor’s bailout of Madison Ice, Inc. was not evaluated using the city’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative...

Highlights The mayor and Alder Guequierre propose forgiving $1.6 million in debt plu accrued interest, and authorizing the fee simple...

"This is the line for free money, right?" Highlights Despite consistent large surpluses, Madison Ice, Inc. has failed to make a single...

Key Points The City's Economic Development Committee supports approval of Mayor’s proposal to bail out Madison Ice, Inc. Madison Ice,...

Key Points: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Alder John Guequierre have sponsored a proposal to forgive $1.6 million in principal and the...

Key Points Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Alder John Guequierre (District 19) propose forgiving $1.6 million in debt, plus accrued...

Key Points Madison's budget has historically shown overestimated expenses and underestimated revenues. Madison’s revenues have outpaced...