Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-entered the race for governor, and with that voters need to take a hard look at his record as county executive.
Crowley should never have any control of the state and The Heartland Post has the receipts!!
From taxes to transit, from museums to public safety, Crowley’s leadership has raised serious concerns.
Here are issues that many voters believe David Crowley must answer for.
Tax Hikes & Budget Troubles
Milwaukee County’s sales tax rose to 0.9% and the property tax levy increased 3.2% for county services.
There is a budget deficit, despite Crowley’s claims of a “balanced budget.” The county faces a projected $47 million deficit in 2026 and a $168 million shortfall by 2031.
To many residents, this does not look like balance it looks like a warning.
The Museum Controversy
The transition from the Milwaukee Public Museum to the new “Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin” has been deeply unpopular among many residents.
The new building design has been widely criticized as unattractive and horrid. Beloved exhibits especially “Streets of Old Milwaukee” are not being carried over and the public questions the lack of input.
This exhibit is a tribute to our heritage and our history. How can you do away with this most beloved and historic treasure?
The Courthouse Complex Cost Explosion
The proposed “Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex” has doubled in cost, approaching $1 billion, according to our report from The Heartland Post.
What exactly are we “investing” and why is the price tag skyrocketing? The financing of this new county courthouse will mean an increase in taxes.
Sheriff’s Office Staffing & Safety Issues
The Milwaukee Sheriff’s Office has an $8.7 million overtime deficit. There is also a chronic understaffing at the county jail and growing public scrutiny over in‑custody deaths.
There are safety concerns at county parks, beaches, and lakefront areas. Between teen takeovers at the lake and shootings in the parks people do not feel safe in these areas, especially after sunset.
Questionable Appointments & Departments
David Crowley appointed Nick Sinram as the Director of the Office of Strategy, Budget, and Performance.
Sinram was the budget leader for Milwaukee Public Schools when the district ran into a multi-million dollar deficit.
Sinram, will now be overseeing a $1.4 billion county budget. Why did the County Supervisors go along with this appointment and why did his appointment go ahead with no criticism of his previous position?
Questionable departments like “The Office of Equity”
“We work to challenge and change policies, practices, and power structures that have resulted in historic and persistent barriers to equity.” Who decides equity or lack there of? Why does this office exist? We already have checks and balances in place for these types of situations.
Crowley also established the “Racial Equity Budget Tool” that states: “Racism has been and is a public health crisis in Milwaukee County.“
Do you want your tax dollars funding this?
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Crowley publicly posted signs noting the need for $12 million to repair broken walkways.
Today the walkways still remain unusable. Travelers question why such a basic infrastructure issue remains unresolved.
Public Housing Concerns
Attempts to expand public housing into suburban areas has met with strong resistance, yet Crowley is adding more housing into these communities.
Public housing in the city of Milwaukee has been poorly maintained. There has been no attempt to hold tenants accountable for their dwellings. Oversight failures have allowed properties to deteriorate.
Health Insurance Contract Scandal
Milwaukee County allowed a $450 million UnitedHealthcare contract to lapse without notifying the County Board.
The contract covered benefits for the county’s 5,000-plus employees and county retirees.
The Benefits Director was fired but residents still ask how did oversight fail so badly? Who else was responsible?
Pensions & Act 12
In 2023, County Executive David Crowley along with Mayor Cavailer Johnson pushed the state Legislature to pass Act 12, which transitioned county employees onto the statewide Wisconsin Retirement System.
Crowley then authorized a sales tax of 0.4% to pay for the counties remaining pension liabilities.
MCTS Cuts & Transit Crisis
MCTS faces a $15.7 million deficit in 2027, growing to $37 million by 2031. A 25% cut to bus service is being proposed to the public.
The Covid Pandemic funds that the county depended on is gone and no long term plan is in place to protect busing services.
This affects workers, students, seniors, and anyone who relies on transit. Why would the county rely solely on Covid funds? This screams irresponsible and foolish.
From taxes to transit, from museums to public safety, Crowley’s record shows a pattern of mismanagement, questionable priorities, and costly failures.
If David Crowley seeks the office of governor, he will have to answer for these concerns, especially if he faces Republican candidate Tom Tiffany in a statewide race.
Wisconsin deserves a leader that can manage its largest county effectively before asking to manage the entire state.
