La Crosse faces $8M budget gap: City council rep. Newberry on shortfall, pools and libraries

La Crosse City Council Representative Aron Newberry joined the show in studio to discuss the city's projected $8 million budget shortfall, the recent 18-month moratorium on AI data centers, and how La Crosse's public pools and libraries compare to other municipalities across Wisconsin. The $8 Million Budget Gap: The budget conversation came just a few days after a Budget Parameter Committee meeting that consisted of Finance and Personnel members, along with Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey. Pools vs. Libraries: We broke down a recent post by Newberry comparing La Crosse’s current infrastructure—two public pools and one public library—against similar-sized cities across Wisconsin. AI Data Center Moratoriums: We also discussed what needs to be done about data centers, just a few weeks after La Crosse County passed both a study committee and an 18-month moratorium on the structures. While the county passed a resolution, it isn’t sweeping. Other counties are currently trying to pass their own bans or considering allowing them to be built. Newberry is urging residents to support a petition for legislators to pass a statewide moratorium and utility rate cap. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.