Mayor Barrett delivers State of the City address

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett unveiled his plans for the city in the annual State of the City address on Monday.

The mayor delivered his speech at the Ingeteam Plant at 35th and Canal. Ingeteam produces solar panels and wind farm parts. This location is a fitting place because the mayor is expected to focus his speech  on jobs and manufacturing. Mayor Barrett focused his State of the City address on the company’s progress and connect its progress to his plans for the city in the future.

The mayor also unveiled a new program that will custom tailor job training to employer’s needs called the “Mayors Manufacturing Partnership.” This program will help train nearly 500 potential job seekers with the specific skills and employer needs, some will be trained through the Milwaukee Area Technical College and Big Step.

CLICK HERE TO READ MAYOR’S STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH

The mayor said in his speech that his proposed 2012 budget promotes financial sustainability. Barrett said, “The proposed tax levy will increase by less than 2/3 of 1%, bringing the three-year average trend to less than 1.5% a year. If Milwaukee’s Common Council approves the proposed level of municipal service charges, the typical residential property owner will experience a 1.4% increase ($20) from the impact of the tax levy and municipal charges.”

Barrett also expressed outrage in his speech about the state’s plan to use some federal housing settlement money to balance the budget instead of bailing out property owners.

“This raid on the foreclosure settlement is an unconscionable bait and switch,” said Barrett.

Barrett also addressed other topics including crime and transportation along with fundraising for local roads.