Wasteful spending means wasted opportunities. We need to invest in the people and neighborhoods of Madison, not flashy projects, mismanaged funds, lack of transparency, or sweetheart deals for developers.
Putting Community Residents First
- Hefty Tax Increases: Madison has seen a 16% increase in taxes from 2020 to present, with an additional $22 Million for 2025 only to find out there was a budget surplus.
- Budget Misrepresentation: We need fiscal transparency and ensure residents’ voices are prioritized over unchecked spending and misreprentation of actual budget shortfalls.
- Money is being given to the wrong people: Too much money is being wasted and given to real estate developers in the name of affordable housing that isn’t truly affordable.
- Wasteful spending: Madison needs to curb spending budgets on unnecessary things that serve no real purpose.
The $20 Million Surplus After a Tax Hike
Residents are being asked to take a tax hike to pay for budget shortfalls when there are other options available that were not addressed with the public. This was after Madison has seen a combined increase of 16% since 2020.
Example
The City Council pushed a property tax hike, citing a “dire” deficit. Then, weeks later, the city announced a $20 million surplus.
Why It Matters
Residents felt misled—many approved the tax hike out of a sense of obligation to prevent financial cuts, only to discover that the city’s fiscal position wasn’t as dire as presented. This undermines trust in leadership and financial management.
What Anthony Will Do
Advocate for clear, transparent budgeting practices and ensure residents are given accurate information before voting on financial measures.
Lack of Access to Public Transporation
Madison’s new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is intended to improve public transit citywide but has disproportionately removed stops and reduced access for underserved neighborhoods, such as the North Side.
Example
The city’s East-West BRT project, with an estimated cost of $195 million, includes new bus stations and infrastructure but has removed or relocated bus stops in low-density areas.
Why It Matters
Madison’s transit spending should focus on accessibility for all residents, not just areas with higher visibility or traffic. The North Side’s needs are being overlooked, despite residents paying taxes that help fund these projects.
What Anthony Will Do
Advocate for transit equity by ensuring public transit investments improve service in underserved neighborhoods like the North Side. Anthony will fight to restore accessible bus stops and prioritize transit solutions that benefit all residents.
Developer Incentives with No Accountability
Money is being wasted by giving developers millions (in excess of $40 Million thus far) to build so-called “Affordable Housing” all over the city.
Example
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds are frequently approved for large apartment developments that are not affordable for middle- or low-income residents. Developers make huge profits while housing affordability worsens.
Why It Matters
Large developers may begin to dominate the housing market. In addition to apartment developments, private real estate investors are buying up in excess of 15% of homes, they are known as “Wall Street Landlords”.
This money could have been used to provide funds to economically challenged for rental assistance, introduce programs to support home ownership, and stimulate new single family housing developments.
What Anthony Will Do
Hold the council accountable and push for clear, accessible financial reporting. Advocate for programs that benefit the economically challenged and propose solutions to stimulate single family home developments and starter homes.
Lack of State Funding Excuse
Madison often uses the excuse that the city receives the least amount of funding per resident. Little has been done to resolve this issue, and there is more that can be done.
Example
Madison officials often claim the city doesn’t get adequate funding from the state. Milwaukee was successful in increasing state funding in multiple ways including Act 12, ARPA, and STP funding.
Why It Matters
Complaining without action rarely solves problems. It is up to our city leaders to advocate for city funding. They represent our residents and should be solving problems by lobbying for funds as Alder’s in Milwaukee have successfully done.
What Anthony Will Do
Encourage our City Council to come together and lobby the state government for more funding by seeking insight from the Milwaukee Alder’s and implementing a plan for Madison to negotiate for more state funding.
Cuts to Senior Funding
The City of Madison has proposed significant cuts to senior services in the 2025 budget, particularly affecting the North Side. These reductions target programs that many older adults rely on, such as home chore assistance, activities, and volunteer guardian services.
Example
NewBridge Madison, a primary service provider for older adults, is facing a funding reduction of $277,970 from the city’s Community Development Division. Although $50,000 was restored for case management services, other critical programs remain underfunded or cut entirely. This reallocation prioritizes expanding services for BIPOC older adults but does so without increasing the overall budget for senior programs
Why It Matters
These cuts disproportionately affect older adults on the North Side, many of whom already face barriers to accessing essential services. Losing access to programs like home chore assistance or volunteer guardian services could leave seniors more isolated and vulnerable. While expanding services for marginalized groups is important, it shouldn’t come at the expense of existing programs that serve other at-risk populations.
What Anthony Will Do
Anthony will fight to restore funding for senior services on Madison’s North Side, ensuring programs like home chore assistance and volunteer guardian services are protected. He will work with organizations like NewBridge Madison to push for sustainable funding solutions and ensure all seniors receive the support they deserve.