David's Record

Balancing Budgets and Fiscal Stability

As County Executive, David Crowley has balanced budgets, reformed pensions, and promoted fiscal stability. 

He led on the passage of Wisconsin Act 12, a landmark bipartisan revenue reform that was the first major overhaul of state-local revenue sharing in over two decades. The law increased shared revenue for municipalities and counties across Wisconsin, empowering them to invest in essential services like public safety, EMS, and road repair. For Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee, Act 12 was a financial lifeline. It authorized a local revenue option to stabilize services and fixed a decades-old pension crisis. On top of these reforms, Crowley delivered the largest property tax cut in county history.

In a time of divided government, David keeps delivering results. Most recently, David secured a bipartisan funding boost in the state budget that directly supports Milwaukee County—despite a Republican-controlled legislature. No small feat, this deal locks in millions for essential local services—public safety, transportation, and housing programs—and cements the gains of Act 12 with long-term state backing. It’s another reminder: while others talk, David delivers.

Prioritizing Safe Communities and Real Public Safety

David launched Milwaukee County’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic deaths by 2037, funded over 500 infrastructure improvements, and deployed 19 harm reduction vending machines stocked with naloxone and prevention supplies. He reinvested over $25 million in opioid settlement funds into treatment and prevention. Act 12 allowed local governments across Wisconsin to fund police, fire, EMS, and justice systems — and Crowley used that flexibility to strengthen public safety from dispatch to reentry.

Modernizing Public Health and Securing Resources Statewide

Crowley’s administration brought in more than $100 million in state and federal aid to expand health care access, invest in safer housing, and modernize transit. During the pandemic, his administration implemented a nationally recognized COVID-19 dashboard–the first in the nation to track COVID-19 data by race and ethnicity. Crowley also led a new innovative emergency medical services initiative offering whole blood transfusions in the field for injured patients, making Milwaukee County’s Emergency Medical Services the first in Wisconsin to offer this care.

Expanding Affordable Housing

David understands that access to affordable and attainable housing matters in every community in Wisconsin. Since taking office, Milwaukee County has invested over $45 million in housing, backed seven County-supported affordable housing developments, and is laying groundwork for more. He spearheaded a $6 million initiative in King Park to build 120 rent-to-own homes — equipping residents with financial counseling and a clear path to homeownership after 15 years. And he’s invested over $60 million to prevent evictions, including launching Eviction Free MKE to provide free legal help for low-income families. Under his leadership, Milwaukee County has led the nation in preventing homelessness — recording the lowest per-capita rate of unsheltered homelessness in the country and saving taxpayers over $30 million through a Housing First model that’s defying national trends.

Cutting County Carbon Emissions by Nearly Half

Under David’s leadership, Milwaukee County created its first-ever climate action plan and has already reduced emissions by 48%, well ahead of 2030 targets. He has invested in electric buses, added green infrastructure in parks, upgraded County facilities to include emission cutting LED lighting, and made climate investments that prioritize job creation and resilience.

Investing in People and Building an Economy That Works

David expanded access to capital and technical support for small businesses, especially in communities long overlooked and underinvested. He brought in federal and state infrastructure funds that are fueling job sites and paychecks across the county. The result? Tens of thousands of new jobs since he took office—good-paying, union-backed, future-focused work. While others talked about inclusive growth, David delivered it.

Supporting Small Businesses and Revitalizing Local Economies

David launched the Building Bridges Small Business Program, a first-of-its-kind effort to grow storefront businesses, activate commercial corridors, and create local jobs across Milwaukee County. The program provides grants to small, brick-and-mortar businesses in partnership with municipal governments — with investments targeted in every one of the County’s 18 municipalities. It’s a blueprint for how state and local governments can work together to build stronger communities from the ground up.

Prioritizing Accessibility in Government to Get People What They Need

David’s administration implemented a No Wrong Door policy committed to serving everyone regardless of age or ability, no matter how they enter the system. When someone reaches out to Milwaukee County needing help, there is no wrong place to start the process.