🎡 Meet me at the Dane County Fair

💵 Two Visions for Madison’s Future

• In the face of a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway laid out two possible plans for the city’s future at the City Council meeting earlier this week.
• The first plan includes a $22 million referendum that would need to be approved by the council and voters in November. This plan would prevent permanent cuts to city services and layoffs of city staff positions at the cost of increasing property taxes.
• If this plan doesn’t get approved, the mayor projected the city would be forced to make $6 million in permanent cuts to city services in 2025 and implement a steady increase in fees. It’s unclear what departments would be hit the hardest but some of the services on the line include Madison’s public libraries, trash pickup, and public transportation.
• Dig deeper: How did we get here? Madison’s Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke broke it down on the City Cast Madison podcast. [City of Madison, Cap Times, City Cast Madison 🎧]

🚲 Madisonians Ride for Palestine

• Madison will join other cities on July 21 in the Ride for Palestine Bike Fundraiser. The money from this event will go to the Middle East Children’s Alliance for Peace.
• The ride will kick off at Tenney Park at 11 a.m. but participants are encouraged to arrive early to decorate bikes. Participants will embark on an eight-mile bike ride and then return to Tenney Park for sign-making, live music, and more. [Madison 365]

⚖️ Evers on Abortion Rights

• The Evers Administration has joined the ongoing lawsuit, Planned Parenthood v. Urmanski, arguing that the Wisconsin constitution protects the right to abortion. This lawsuit examines a law that was passed in the 1800s.
• Dig Deeper: Where do Wisconsinites stand on abortion? [Office of the Governor, City Cast Madison 🎧]

Meet Willy Street's New Weird Vegan Wonderland

Mad Rabbit has become a new hotspot for vegans and non-vegans alike. This 100% vegan restaurant opened on Willy Street in February and has been popular ever since, not only for its food but also its eclectic vibe. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talked with owner, Nate Anger, to get the scoop on his experience with vegan cuisine and what brought him to Madison.