By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
November 17, 2015
Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, Chris Abele, the Milwaukee County Executive approved the Milwaukee County budget including an amendment that would create a Municipal Identification card for County-wide undocumented immigrants and underdocumented residents. The Milwaukee Common Council also approved an amendment to its City budget that would set aside funds in agreement with Milwaukee County to create a Municipal ID.
Both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County will work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will establish the framework for the creation and issuance of community ID's. The Office of Government Affairs provided $150K in an allocated contingency fund account to be used for the Community ID program contingent upon the County's acceptance of the MOU and confirmation that the City of Milwaukee will match the County's contribution.
The Municipal ID will not be valid for voting purposes or to board domestic airflights. The ID will be used for County identification purposes, open a bank account, obtain a library card, get County museum and park discounts, getting prescriptions, Milwaukee Transit discounts for seniors, visiting inmates by relatives and would allow for local law enforcement to identify County residents.
Out of 66 amendments added to the County budget for 2016, Abele only vetoed two, he rejected an additional $4M to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department avoiding a 1.4% property tax increase and rejected to fund a $750,000 fish passage in Estabrook Dam, but instead Abele wants County Supervisors to approve the removal of the dam.
The Municipal ID is the result of the Wisconsin Republican controlled legislature and Governor Scott Walker's (R) failure to approve a state picture driving permit for undocumented immigrants to legally drive in Wisconsin.
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