MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has vetoed a measure by the Milwaukee County Board to authorize the Department of Administrative Services to transfer $1.5 million to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office to allow for the hiring of 30 deputy-trainees, and to cover the Sheriff's Office's current projected budget deficit. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is not happy to learn of this veto.
Abele said he vetoed the plan because he's looking out for Milwaukee County's long-term financial health. In issuing his veto, Abele issued this statement in a memo to the County Board:
Sheriff Clarke argues that Abele is playing politics with public safety -- saying staffing levels within the Sheriff's Office are dangerously low. Sheriff Clarke responded in a statement issued to FOX6 News. That statement reads:
The Milwaukee County Board could choose to vote to override Abele's veto.