Republicans Creating New Taxing Authorities???

Maybe I am missing something (if I am, someone, please explain), but I just don't get it. Senators Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) and Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) have proposed Senate Bill 248, which authorizes the creation of local park boards. The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Jim Ott (R-Mequon), Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), Sue Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls), Al Ott (R-Forest Junction) and John Townsend (R-Fon du Lac).

This bill authorizes one or more municipalities (cities, villages, or towns), one or more counties, or any combination of political subdivisions (municipalities or counties) to create a local park district (district). A district is a local unit of government that is a body corporate and politic and that is separate and distinct from, and independent of, the state and the sponsoring political subdivisions which created it and that are within its jurisdiction.

I don't expect much from many of the sponsors. However, considering the upcoming election, I would have expected more from Darling. Moreover, I was starting to think that Jim Ott was turning out to be a pretty good choice. This is very disappointing.

Am I missing something?

Teacher Residency Requirements

Senators Darling, Lazich and Schultz have introduced a bill in the Senate (2007 SB 231) that would prohibit the Milwaukee Public Schools District from requiring its teachers to reside in Milwaukee. The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Gunderson, Vos, Pridemore, Pope-Roberts, Musser, Kestell, Albers, Bies, Mursau and Townsend.

This is a great idea. Residency requirements are a poor idea (other than, perhaps, for top administrators). They limit the talent pool, and having talented employees is far more important than any benefit received from residency.

But here is the important policy question: Why just MPS? If this legislation is good for MPS treachers, why not for Mukwonago, or Cudahy, or Fredonia teachers?

The Wisconsin Statutes devote dozens of pages differentiating Cities of the First Class from other Wisconsin cities. State law should, except in rare instances, not treat big cities better or worse than small cities and villages.