Comments on: Waukesha Water Wars Regional Cooperation a 2-way Street

By: John Foust

John Foust — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:23:45 +0000

“The natural, modest growth Waukesha has already been seeing”? As measured by what yardstick?

By: jpk

jpk — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:47:04 +0000

@Anon-
Can you please refer to a specific (socialist) policy that would lead to central city disinvestment? Or do you just like to throw that word around?

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:55:03 +0000

Perhaps Milwaukee’s contraction, economically speaking, is the result of it’s socialist policies?

Mr. Wigderson, can you tell us the estimated infrastructure cost for Lake Michigan water from Oak Creek or Racine and return of treated sewage to the Root River? I can’t seem to find any reference to those sources other than a letter of intent has been submitted to the Waukesha water department. What’s the cost comparison to local sources? It seems there’s avoidance in comaprison…

By: jpk

jpk — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:02:33 +0000

Actually, zero-sum does apply in some cases, especially if you take a closer look at real econometric evidence.

When Milwaukee grows economically, it naturally translates into benefits for suburban communities, via property value increases, job growth, and avg personal income growth.

But the opposite does not hold true. Suburban sprawl is an inefficient means of growth, and sucks away value from central city areas. Blighted central city property festers drags the entire region down.

You won’t believe me, but when you look at the data — regions as a whole suffer from too much sprawl and central city disinvestment.

Start by looking at a book called Sprawl Costs by well known political scientist Anthony Downs.

By: Waukesha water needs test of regional cooperation : Wigderson Library & Pub

Waukesha water needs test of regional cooperation : Wigderson Library & Pub — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:12:18 +0000

[...] belief in zero-sum economics for Southeastern Wisconsin? These are the questions raised in this week’s op-ed for the MacIver Institute website: On the other side, there’s pressure in Milwaukee to not sell any water to Waukesha. Local [...]

By: James Wigderson

James Wigderson — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:55:52 +0000

Because economic growth is not a zero-sum game, as I point out in the article.

By: jpk

jpk — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:51:06 +0000

If Milwaukee sells water to Waukesha, it will result in job losses for Milwaukee. Why on earth would Milw leaders then want to sell water to Waukesha!?