• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Politics / Govt / Proposal seeks to consolidate Wisconsin counties

Proposal seeks to consolidate Wisconsin counties

June 8, 2007 By WRN Contributor

Wisconsin counties could see their numbers shrink. That's under proposed legislation at the Capitol, which would form a special task force to examine how Wisconsin counties can be consolidated. It comes from State Representative Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee), who wants to reduce the number of counties in the state from 72 to 18 or less.

Wasserman says the current county government system is out of date and consolidation would save millions of dollars. He says joining counties together allows them to reduce the amount of government bureaucracy and service providers. The Milwaukee Democrat says a regional government organization would be much more efficient.

The proposal is generating some interest from county governments. Wisconsin Counties Association executive director Mark O'Connell says they're open to any concept that could help save money for the taxpayers. However, O'Connell is concerned the proposal may be too limited and that the limit of 18 counties is too arbitrary.

The legislation directs the task force to determine how to consolidate counties by 2011. O'Connell says long term planning on the issue is needed and may take more time than that. He says any restructuring of county government should be able to serve Wisconsin for the next 50 years.

Wasserman introduced a similar bill during the last session, although it set a firm limit of 18 counties. That version never received a legislative hearing. 

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 2:08)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Politics / Govt



Featured Stories

Future of abortion in Wisconsin hinges on SCOTUS ‘Roe’ decision

Juvenile arrested in connection with death of Lily Peters

Missing Chippewa Falls girl found dead, police seek suspect

Medical marijuana legislation gets public hearing at Capitol

Tommy Thompson announces he will not run for governor

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC