Critics of Scott Walker have been claiming the Milwaukee County Budget that passed was unbalanced – even illegal – because it called for concessions from county employees. This week at the MacIver Institute, I point out that Milwaukee County is hardly the only government entity to budget that way.

Yes, the budget was passed with [...]

When discussing water in Waukesha, what often gets lost in the shouting is that this isn’t a new issue. It’s been studied a long time, and unfortunately Lake Michigan is the best option. We may have to look at the other options if our application fails, but if we’re going for Lake Michigan [...]

Randy Radish – 427
Darryl Enriquez – 1039
Larry Nelson – 1271
Bill Beglinger – 633
Jeff Scrima – 1830
Write-in – [...]

Publication: Waukesha Freeman (Conley);
Date: Feb 18, 2010;
Section: Opinion;
Page: 8A

Election results send message to City Hall
But is Scrima a good alternative to Nelson?
(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://www.wigderson.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

If nothing else, the columnists at The Freeman will have plenty to write [...]

4576 votes in 2010. So, comparable numbers, if not a little lower.
Given that 2006 was a Democratic year, and Nelson was a foreshadowing of what would happen that fall, we can probably expect a more conservative turnout this election. However, it will be interesting to see who can take better advantage, [...]

Who’s the winner?  I guess, me.  I get to write about this election.  One thing is certain: I won’t run out of material.
Perhaps the correct expression, given the circumstances, is a Morton’s Fork.  From Wikipedia:

A Morton’s Fork is a choice between two equally unpleasant alternatives (in other words, a dilemma), or two lines of reasoning that lead to [...]

Polls aren’t even closed yet. I wonder who the fundraiser is for?

Waukesha voters have five choices in tomorrow’s primary election for mayor.
The incumbent, Larry Nelson, I dealt with at length in my newspaper column. Since the column appeared, Nelson has taken the unique approach of appealing to the Waukesha electorate by mentioning praise from Democratic State Senator Mark Miller, who represents the Madison [...]

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Feb 11, 2010; Section:Opinion; Page Number:8A
Assessing Nelson’s chances
Enriquez is strongest challenger

When it comes to city government, the question I have been asked the most often is whether Mayor Larry Nelson can be beat. Of course, I tell them, anybody can be beat. It just takes the right circumstances.
I should preface this by saying I like [...]

I missed this afternoon’s forum for Waukesha mayor at Oak Hill Terrace.  I understand a few sparks flew, including from some residents upset that dinner was late.
Things we learned today:
1. Mayor Larry Nelson taught at the Garrett Morris School for the Hard of Hearing in New York.
2. Alderman Randy Radish.  Yeah, what he said.
3. Jeff [...]