Morning Update

Your guide to local government

We put together a guide to help break down what local government actually looks like and does.

In this newsletter

Photo by Hayley Sperling

Gooood morning, Madison!

Do you ever wonder who’s in charge of filling the pothole on your street? Or determining your property taxes? Or when it’s local election season, do you know who alders or supervisors are?

We're only one week away from the Spring Election so we put together a guide to help break down what local government actually looks like and does in Madison and Dane County.

— Hayley

📫 The deadline to get an absentee ballot is this week.

This Thursday is the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail. For your ballot to be counted, the Clerk’s Office must receive it by April 4.

🗳️ Take a look at the county-wide referendums on the ballot.

Dane County voters will see these two advisory referendums on the April ballot. The referendums are just meant to assess public opinion and won't change any laws.
Redistricting: The full question asks voters "Should the Wisconsin Constitution be amended to require a nonpartisan system for redistricting legislative and congressional districts in the state?" The sponsors of this item hope to use the question as a "bid to address Wisconsin’s reputation as an extreme example of gerrymandering," according to WORT.
Right to Privacy: This referendum asks "Should the Wisconsin Legislature adopt an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution creating a new right to privacy that would protect rights such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and interracial marriage?" It was drafted in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade last June.
But wait, there's more: Local voters will also see two statewide referendums and one municipal referendum.

🥡 Little John's has a new, temporary home.

After suspending operations and laying off more than half his staff in January, Chef Dave Heide has found a temporary space for Little John's Kitchen at the old Doc’s Smokehouse at West Towne Mall.
Heide hopes to have the operation up and running this week, according to WKOW.
What's Little John's? The nonprofit uses excess food from farmers and grocery stores that would have otherwise gone to waste and turns it into meals for schools, senior centers, shelters, Meals on Wheels, and more.

🚧 Curious about development on the north side?

The city is hosting an open house for upcoming projects happening in the city's northeast area. Residents will have the opportunity to share thoughts on thoughts about land use, housing, transit, streets, parks, and other community facilities in the area.
Some of the projects up for discussion include the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, Bus Rapid Transit and Transit Network Redesign, Well 15 PFAs Treatment, and more.
The event is tomorrow at Madison College’s Truax Main Building.

*Is Shelby your new bestie? Meet her at the Dane County Humane Society.*

🐶 Happy Take Me Home Tuesday! Meet: Shelby.

Via Dane County Humane Society: Shelby came to DCHS in December 2022 after staff at a Madison hotel found her tied to a tree on their ground.

Shelby loves toys and people. Her favorite is a ball, but she also enjoys playing with stuffed animals and rope. Shelby can get a little rowdy when excited, but she's also VERY affectionate and snuggly. When she joins staff meetings, Shelby will ask for pets and lean in for cuddles before occupying herself with her toys. Shelby really is a big lap dog who also loves belly rubs and going on car adventures and for walks.

Shelby is looking for a family who will play ball with her, shower her with affection, and take her on fun adventures. She's looking for a home where she can be the only pup to spoil.

Shelby is a member of the Lonely Hearts Club and her adoption fee has been reduced to just $100.

📬

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🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

*Retired Air Force Colonel Rosanne Greco*

F-35 Military Jets are Coming to Madison. Now What?

New F-35 military fighter jets are expected to arrive in Madison as early as April. Madison is the second Air National Guard in the nation to receive the military’s newest jets. They’ll be stationed at Truax field, next to the airport and Madison College.

The Wisconsin Air National Guard calls them a “game changer.” Many others have called them a boondoggle. The jets have been delayed for years, gone over budget, and faced a number of technical problems.

So what can we expect from these jets when they arrive?

Retired Air Force Colonel Rosanne Greco knows first-hand what it’s like to live with F-35s. At first, she thought the noise complaints were “wimpy.” Then, the jets arrived in her city.

Listen now