http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/articles.sec-4-1-expresso.html In the latest effort to push for a mayoral takeover of MPS, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel continues its selective reporting. The Milwaukee Public Schools’ $2 billion unfunded liability is old news, a problem raised in a study commissioned by the MPS Board in 2007 and the Doyle/Barrett-instigated McKinsey report this past spring. But that didn’t stop the Journal Sentinel...]]> A notable but overlooked casualty of the 2010 Milwaukee County budget is the live phone operator service provided to the community by the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), which will cut all of its 16 phone agents by the end of the year. As of Jan. 1, 2010, the agents will be replaced by an automated call-in line and an...]]> To encourage our readers to shop locally this holiday season, the Shepherd Express and the local business alliance Our Milwaukee have teamed up to reward those who promise to spend $100 at local establishments in the next few weeks. Just go to expressmilwaukee.com and take the Buy Local Pledge. When you sign up, you’ll...]]> The Journal Sentinel did an investigative series on day care providers, which is good, but the paper’s sensationalized coverage was disgraceful. If there is fraud, it should be prosecuted, but the vast majority of the cases being labeled as fraud simply appear to be reporting errors. It is similar to the person who puts a number...]]> What’s worse: Knowingly approving a racially charged campaign ad that wrongly implies that your opponent did something horrendous, or determining that airing that lie-filled ad isn’t so awful? That’s the problem created by a three-judge panel’s ruling...]]> We’re not going to argue that Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is doing a stellar job of educating our kids, just like we won’t argue that Milwaukee as a whole is some sort of urban idyll. Both the city and the school district are plagued by a tremendous number of families in need, high-crime neighborhoods, too-few jobs and a crumbling infrastructure. Yet the city and school district also have inspired students...]]> The Milwaukee Common Council has backed off the city’s attempt to lease the Milwaukee Water Works to a private corporation as a way to generate revenue for the cash-strapped but water-rich city. Earlier this year, Milwaukee Comptroller Wally Morics had estimated that a 99-year lease would add $30 million to the city’s coffers every year. Not bad, when you consider that the city is facing an eye-popping $90 million deficit next year. But that’s what the city government would have gained if a deal had gone through...]]> Issue of the Week City of Milwaukee-Operated Schools vs. Milwaukee Public Schools Everyone agrees that MPS needs reform. But what kind of reform will best serve the educational needs of the stude]]>