Common Council votes to increase cab fare, change aldermanic car allowances

By GREG J. BOROWSKI gborowski@journalsentinel.com Posted: July 1, 2008 The Milwaukee Common Council moved Tuesday to increase fares for those who use taxis and to cut off the car allowance for aldermen who miss a month of meetings with unexcused absences. The car allowance measure, which passed on a 9-6 vote, was created as a result of the case of former Ald. Michael McGee, who spent nearly a year in jail before he was defeated in the April election. Last week, McGee was convicted of federal charges of shaking down business owners in his district. State charges are pending. During his time in jail, McGee collected $3,443 from the monthly car allowance. Supporters argued it was important to set a tone of honesty and integrity among city employees. Opponents questioned whether the measure would be effective. Ald. Milele Coggs,... [read full story]