Milwaukee considers ending residency requirement for city workers

Milwaukee is considering repealing the law that requires city employees to live within the city's borders, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Though the measure would provide flexibility for municipal employees, some argue that it may have a negative impact on the real estate market within the city limits. One of the popular arguments has always been that city employees who live within city-limits are more likely to perform their jobs better given their vested interest in the community's upkeep. However, as a result of the recession, the argument has also taken on a more economic angle.

According to the source, "Officials argue that removing the residency requirement will create a mass exodus that will harm property values."

However, columnist Leah Vukmir, notes that other cities have successfully eliminated their mandatory residency laws without this occurring. As for the "vested-interest" argument, she suggests that limiting employees to those in the city may have a negative effect, particularly on the education system.

Milwaukee is not the only state to consider taking such a measure recently. Chicago has also considered the idea of ending its requirement that public employees live within city limits.  

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