Barrett disappointed after failure to pass gun legislation

Barrett disappointed after failure to pass gun legislation

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Reaction is coming in from across the nation after the Senate's decision Wednesday, April 17th to block a proposal to expand background checks on gun sales.The plan failed to get the 60 votes needed to pass.Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says expanding background checks will save lives.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett speaks out about gun reform

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett speaks out about gun reform

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Thursday, March 28th spoke out about gun reform.Mayor Barrett is one of the 15 founding members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and the group has deemed Thursday as National Day to Demand Action.Hundreds of mayors around the country are urging citizens to contact members of Congress and demand they support universal background checks for all gun sales."This is about responsible gun ownership and commonsense solutions.

Government, business leaders announce entrepreneurship venture

Government, business leaders announce entrepreneurship venture

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Government and business leaders gathered on Thursday, March 28th to announce a new venture, called "Scale Up Milwaukee." It is an opportunity for Milwaukee to build an entrepreneurial culture that embraces risk taking, but with an opportunity to put in place what's needed for growth-oriented entrepreneurial businesses to thrive and create economic prosperity.This venture will embrace start-up companies and businesses that already exist by scaling them up."Hard work and innovation are what we've come to know and expect from these business owners, but hard work and innovation go a lot further when others are vested in start-up success," Randi Schochet said.Schochet is with American Express Open, which is contributing significantly to the venture, as well as the Greater Milwaukee Committee and partnerships from the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin."It sends yet another message that we're setting aside differences in the past.

Milwaukee mayor reacts to charging decision in Williams case

Milwaukee mayor reacts to charging decision in Williams case

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is reacting to the decision not to file any state charges against any of the officers in the Derek Williams case.In a statement released on Thursday morning, March 28th, Barrett said: "I have not received or read the Special Prosecutor's report.

Spring cleanup officially underway in City of Milwaukee

Spring cleanup officially underway in City of Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- "Raise your hand if you like to play in a pile of garbage," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett asks a group of children at the Next Door Foundation.The Mayor received a resounding, "No!"Of course, no child wants to play in garbage.That's why city officials are asking you to pitch in and help with Milwaukee's community wide clean-up."Citizen volunteers can go out into neighborhoods and make sure that our city is clean so that kids can play, so adults can walk, and so we can appreciate our beautiful city," says Mayor Barrett.In years past, the Mayor and area school children kicked-off the first day of spring by heading outdoors to pick up trash.But with the winter-like temperatures, Mayor Barrett says they're going to wait until what he calls the "garbage lasagna" melts."You have snow, you have garbage, you have snow, you have garbage," says Mayor Barrett.But once that snow is gone, you have a problem.The city and the organization Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful is encouraging people to host neighborhood clean-up groups.These crews can use the free "borrow a tool program," which include trash bags, gloves, rakes, and grabbers."The grabbers are the ones that save the back and help you pick up some items out there," says Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful Executive Director Joe Wilson.Volunteers are also rewarded with a thank you coupon."There`s a free admission to the zoo, there`s a free admission to the swimming pools, there`s admissions to par three golf courses buy one get one free," says Wilson.But the greatest reward is knowing you made a difference in making your city clean and safe.For more information on coordinating a neighborhood clean-up or using the borrow a tool program you can log onto http://www/kgmb.orgHere are some smart action-steps the city says people can take to prevent a potential garbage problem:1.

Milw. Common Council okays Ann Wilson's nomination to FPC

Milw. Common Council okays Ann Wilson's nomination to FPC

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Members of the Milwaukee Common Council voted to approve Ann Wilson for a seat on the Fire and Police Commission on Wednesday, February 27th.The vote by the Common Council was 11-2.Wilson was nominated to fill the position by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.Earlier this month, Common Council members rejected Wilson's appointment on a split vote.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett delivers State of the City address

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett delivers State of the City address

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett delivered his annual "State of the City" address on Monday, February 25th in the Historic Third Ward inside the Pritzlaff building.During the annual address, Mayor Barrett highlighted what he calls a thriving arts district and the people involved in running this dynamic city.

Milwaukee officials react to verdict in Williams inquest

Milwaukee officials react to verdict in Williams inquest

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- City of Milwaukee officials including the mayor are offering their reaction to the verdict in the Derek Williams inquest.After more than six hours of deliberating, the inquest jury found there was probable cause that three Milwaukee police officers committed the crime of failure to render aid by a law enforcement officer when Williams was struggling to breathe while in police custody.