Raising Taxes or Cutting Services: Madison’s Budget Dilemma
2025 might be a rough year for Madison. The city says it is facing a projected $27 million budget shortfall and has to make hard decisions. Between a referendum to raise property taxes and cutting city services, the potential solutions elicit strong opinions, and the city’s been trying to hear them all. Host Bianca Martin spoke with the President of the Common Council, Yannette Figueroa Cole, about what Madisonians say are the most critical services for them and how the council is approaching this moment. You can find more information about future budget events on the council’s website.
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast Madison swag.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
Hot Grilling Tips From a Madison Butcher
Memorial Day is right around the corner, which means it’s grilling season! Whether you’re heading to a cookout or barbecuing at home, we...

How 3 Madison Moms Became National Mental Health Pioneers
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness takes this month as a chance to stand in community, recogni...

Ikea Is Coming! Plus Cap Times Unionizes and Grads Flood the Isthmus
Soon Madisonians won't have to drive for an hour to get some Swedish meatballs. That’s right, Ikea is coming to town! The opening date an...

Why Is Madison So Obsessed With Brandi Grayson?
Brandi Grayson isn’t one to shy away from conflict. She gained notoriety as a leader of Madison’s Black Lives Matter movement and is now...

'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast Madison
Madisonians, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number...

Center for Black Excellence and Culture Opens, Plus Park Street & Gov's Race Updates
On Wednesday, the long-awaited Center for Black Excellence and Culture opened to the public. The 37,000-square-foot building on West Badg...

What Makes a True Wisconsin Supper Club
Supper clubs and Wisconsin go together like fried walleye and beer. It’s a classic pairing, and for good reason. Whether you’re new to Ma...

Why Madison Is the Capital City of Ultimate Frisbee
Have you ever wondered about all those sporty folks who gather to throw frisbees on fields across Madison? They are probably ultimate pla...

Wisco Birder’s Tips for Making the Most of Spring Migration
Did you know that nearly a million birds flew over Madison last night? Warblers, orioles, thrushes, and so many more bird species are mig...

How To Know if You’re a True Madisonian
Now we’re not gatekeeping the title of “Madisonian,” but we want to know — what makes a Madison resident a Madisonian? If you’ve lived he...


