Comments on: The Financial Priorities of Local Governments Mirror the Federal Government

By: Lincoln Rice

Lincoln Rice — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 16:29:16 +0000

It’s hard to say what the the police spend on weapons since they do not have a weapons line item. They have hidden those expenditures under more friendly headings. In the 2020 adopted budget for the City of Milwaukee, it actually states: “The budget for the Milwaukee Police Department exceeds the entire property tax levy for the City of Milwaukee.” For those that are interested, the budget can be found here: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/User/crystali/Budget-Books/2020Budget2.pdf

By: Susan Van Haitsma

Susan Van Haitsma — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 12:47:01 +0000

Thank you, Lincoln. It seems that the lawsuit costs are key, since police salaries are not that high, and cities are more likely to be persuaded to make reforms at this point because of public pressure about the pervasiveness of police misconduct and outright murder. I expect most of those lawsuits normally have been paid quietly without much public awareness. In Milwaukee, did your research show how much of the policing budget goes toward their gear and weapons arsenal?

By: Matthew Hoh

Matthew Hoh — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 19:43:18 +0000

Thanks LIncoln. This is great. We are a nation of violence based solutions, as evidenced in many ways, but as you point out, in how we spend our public money. The only way we stop such violence based solutions is by non-compliance, something every war tax resistor is familiar with. Thank you for your leadership. Please stay healthy and well brother.
Matt

By: Chrissy Kirchhoefer

Chrissy Kirchhoefer — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:32:02 +0000

Great blog Lincoln. And a hopeful sign to defund LAPD and redirect those resources to Communities of color https://deadline.com/2020/06/los-angeles-mayor-eric-garcetti-city-officials-cutting-100-150-million-from-lapd-budget-funds-to-be-reinvested-in-communities-of-color-1202950811/?fbclid=IwAR2xYnRC9MHoYvlLcjuHtnZGhVISek638Ntvtz4pVgAaktYlCPTLRWxbvaU

By: Sue Barnhart

Sue Barnhart — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 17:21:30 +0000

Thant you Lincoln