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
How Much Do You Need To Make To Live in Madison?
How much money do you make? Is it enough for you to thrive in Madison? Cap Times reporter Ashley Rodriguez asked Madisonians to be transp...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Madison
What’s a seemingly small project in Madison that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has jus...
Madison Police Updates, Power Line Pushback, and New Library Opens
This week, Madison Police Chief John Patterson gave his quarterly report to the Madison Common Council and announced a new quality assura...
A Pakistani-Midwest Cookbook and a Phone Booth Memorial on Madison’s East Side
The restaurateur behind Sultan restaurant on Williamson Street has a new cookbook out. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin talks with Su...
An Insider’s Guide to the First Cap Times Photojournalism Summit
This week, the Cap Times is hosting its first Photojournalism Summit as part of its 10th annual Idea Fest. City Cast Host Bianca Martin i...
Where Are the Badger Fans? Who Is Daisy Davenport? And What Referendums Are on the Ballot?
With six weeks left until the November 3rd election, it’s time to get in the know about the constitutional amendments you will be asked t...
Why Turkeys Love Living in Madison
We might be months away from Thanksgiving, but Madison’s turkeys are gobbling all around town. They’re snacking on fallen acorns and unsu...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Philly Is Reducing Violence With Parks — Presented By City Cast Madison
Would Madison be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime an...
Social Justice Center v. City, Juror Pay and Madison Restaurant News
Attorneys for the City of Madison are threatening to have the Social Justice Center declared a public nuisance in court. They say police...
Where’s the Meat? Sausage History and Local Barbecues
Have you ever wondered about the history of sausage in Wisconsin? Jesse Brookstein has. In his new book, Best of the Wurst: Weird and Won...