Madison Reporter

Madison's recent referendum reflects the community's commitment to maintaining essential city services, according to Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. The mayor expressed gratitude for the outcome, stating it allows city leaders to proceed with budget considerations without compromising investments in Madison's future.

Rhodes-Conway highlighted the efforts of city staff, elected officials, and community leaders in educating the public about the city's budget process. This engagement was deemed crucial for Madison's continued prosperity.

Despite the positive referendum result, Rhodes-Conway emphasized that challenges remain. With a new State Legislature beginning in 2025, she sees an opportunity to address funding issues faced by local communities across Wisconsin. She criticized the need for referendums to secure basic service funding and pointed out Wisconsin's $4.6 billion surplus as a reason against austerity measures.

"The system is broken but lawmakers have several bipartisan avenues to fix it," said Rhodes-Conway. She assured her commitment to collaborating with local leaders and partners statewide to tackle underfunding issues.

The mayor also thanked Madison voters for their participation and acknowledged the efforts of election workers during a busy cycle. "On behalf of a grateful City, your dedication to democracy is greatly appreciated," she concluded.