City of Milwaukee - File #: 180578

• File #: 180578
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Placed On File
• File created: 7/10/2018
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 7/31/2018
• Title: Resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby the U.S. Congress to enact legislation providing a cap on damages for federal lawsuits.
• Sponsors: ALD. WITKOWSKI
• Indexes: INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS DIVISION

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
7/31/2018	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Fail	5:9
7/23/2018	0	JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Appearing: Sponsor - Ald. Witkowski Kimberly Montgomery - Director, Intergovernmental Relations	Pass	4:0
7/11/2018	0	JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
7/10/2018	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

180578

Version

ORIGINAL

Reference

Sponsor

ALD. WITKOWSKI

Title

Resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby the U.S. Congress to enact legislation providing a cap on damages for federal lawsuits.

Analysis

This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby the U.S. Congress to enact legislation providing a cap on damages for federal lawsuits.

Body

Whereas, There are federal lawsuits against local governments for which there is no cap on damages; and

Whereas, Settlements and judgments for federal lawsuits are costly to the City, with approximately $20 million paid in damages over the past 10 years; and

Whereas, Any single lawsuit can cost the City several million dollars in damages; and

Whereas, Paying for settlements and judgments for federal lawsuits affect the City’s solvency; and

Whereas, The taxpayers of the City of Milwaukee are burdened with the payment of damages in federal lawsuits; and

Whereas, Financially penalizing taxpayers, who had no role in creating the problem giving rise to the lawsuit, is unjust and inadequately addresses correcting the problem giving rise to the lawsuit; and

Whereas, With 15 years of state tax freezes, monetary damages affect the degree to which the City can provide public safety, health, and other basic services to residents; and

Whereas, A cap on damages for federal lawsuits could aid the City in fiscal solvency and relieve some of the burden on taxpayers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby the U.S. Congress to enact legislation providing a cap on damages for federal lawsuits; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to each member of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation, to the National League of Cities, and to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

Requestor

Drafter

LRB171492-2

Tea Norfolk

7/3/2018