Conservatively Speaking

It appears the city of Milwaukee can be reasonable about water

Posted by Mary Lazich on Nov. 17, 2009

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Milwaukee could become the first city in the country to offer water for jobs. The newspaper writes:

“Milwaukee, which has a lackluster record in luring new industry with tax breaks or subsidies, has a new plan up its sleeve: giving deeply discounted water to new companies that create jobs.

At a time when regions such as metro Atlanta and the Southwest face acute water shortages, the Milwaukee Water Works operates at only a third of its capacity. And it draws off the Great Lakes, which hold a fifth of the world's surface supply of freshwater.

That means the city, which operates the utility, can add new water customers at marginal cost - even if they guzzle prodigious volumes of water.”

The news is encouraging. I am open to any proposals or discussions that would improve Wisconsin’s woeful business climate. 

It is my sincere hope that the city of Milwaukee will extend the same good will in the interest of public health and welfare to its neighbors when it comes to the sale of water.