Renewed legislation to increase Wisconsin parking garage safety
There's a renewed push to improve the safety of parking structures in Wisconsin.
The bipartisan legislation would increase the number of inspections for parking structures, similar to that of bridges.
The push comes two years after the partial collapse of the parking garage at Bayshore Mall in Glendale.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. - There's a renewed push to keep people safe while using parking structures.
A bipartisan bill is gaining ground in Madison with a focus on frequent inspections.
The backstory
Cameras captured the chaos in February 2023.
A partial collapse happened at the three-story parking garage at Bayshore Mall in Glendale.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
No one was hurt, but state leaders say it could've been far worse.
What we know
"We found there was a huge gap in state law," said Democratic State Rep. Darrin Madison.
Madison is working with leaders on both sides of the aisle.
They have re-introduced bipartisan legislation to increase the safety of parking garages by requiring inspections every five years.
"They're exposed to the elements. Because they're exposed, that means they degrade over time," added Rep. Madison.
Madison says this would bring parking structures closer to the inspection requirements of bridges, which are required to be inspected every two to four years.
Currently, private parking garages must be inspected before construction, during construction, before occupancy and anytime a change is made.
The 2023 partial collapse happened after a snow removal company pushed large amounts of snow to the top level of the garage, stranding several cars.
In 2010, a teenager died, and two others were hurt, when a concrete slab fell from a Milwaukee County parking garage.
"This bill's goal is to restore people's trust in public infrastructure," said Madison.
The proposed legislation would hit parking garage owners with a fine if they don't comply.
What they're saying
"In between the time of six and 12 months, they would begin to be fined for being in non-compliance. $200 a month totaling $1,200. After 12 months, DSPS would close the parking garage," said Madison.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Republican State Rep. Dave Maxey released a statement to FOX6, saying:
"We take for granted that our bridges are inspected and safe. It's quite shocking that Wisconsin has no post-construction inspection requirements for parking structures."
"At the end of the day, this bill is about ensuring that folks can trust the buildings they're going into. The structures that they're going into," said Madison.
The legislation still needs to go in front of committee and needs a public hearing before moving forward.
The Source
FOX6 reported on the initial parking garage collapse in 2023. FOX6 also spoke to Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Darrin Madison and received a statement from Republican State Rep. Dave Maxey.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
11 hours ago
- Fox News
GOP lawmaker recounts saving child from 'horrific' car wreck
Retired Navy SEAL Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., recalls rescuing an 11-year-old boy from injuries sustained during a car crash.
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Newsweek
Elon Musk and JD Vance's Relationship Under Scrutiny Amid 2028 Talk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elon Musk is considering backing Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election, according to reports on the billionaire's political movements. The tech CEO formed a new party and pledged to contest both Republicans and Democrats at the 2026 midterms, but his relationship with Vance, who considers Musk a personal friend, may not be as damaged as it seems. Newsweek has contacted Musk via email to the X press office for comment. Why It Matters With Trump constitutionally ineligible to run for a third term, Vance is the closest thing the GOP has to an heir apparent. As Trump's vice president, he is a favorite take the Republican nomination in the next presidential election, though 2028 remains a long way off. Musk, who campaigned prominently with the Republican ticket last year, has claimed credit for Trump's 2024 victory, and while some in the White House may disagree, Musk's $300 million-deep pockets would be a significant asset in 2028, regardless of who runs. What To Know Vance, who has described Musk as a "very good friend," had hoped for a reconciliation between the billionaire and the White House at the height of their feud in June. Now, the vice president's wish may have come true as Musk is considering rolling back his pledge to contest Republican seats in Congress and supporting Vance in a 2028 run, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Musk has been "focused in part on maintaining ties" with Vance, sources close to him told the outlet. While Musk announced plans in July to form an America Party, which could split Republican votes in close seats in 2026, he has since expressed concern that his support for the party would damage his relationship with the vice president, The Wall Street Journal reported. He has also expressed interest in using his finances to back Vance should he run in 2028, the outlet said. Musk responded to the report on Wednesday, writing on X, "Nothing @WSJ says should ever be thought of as true." President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Vice President-elect JD Vance at the 125th Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on December 14, 2024. President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Vice President-elect JD Vance at the 125th Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on December 14, 2024. Getty Images Musk and Vance remained cordial even when Musk was feuding with the White House over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with Vance being one of the only figures in the Trump administration that did not draw Musk's ire on social media. When Musk departed from the White House in May, Vance said in a Newsmax interview: "I am going to miss him. Elon's become a very good friend over the campaign and certainly over his time in Washington. He and his kids have come to our house and had dinner with our kids. I'm very close to him." The two have moved in the same groups for years, with both of them, alongside other members of Trump's inner circle, having a close relationship with venture capitalist Peter Thiel. Vance is something of a protégé to Thiel, who pushed him to run for the Senate in Ohio and later introduced him to Trump at Mar-a-Lago in a 2021 meeting Thiel set up. Musk and Thiel are both members of the "PayPal mafia," a group of investors named after the company they cofounded. They also share many views on the development of tech in the future of humanity. What People Are Saying Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Theo Von in June, during the height of Musk's anger with Trump: "I'm the vice president to President Trump. My loyalty is always going to be with him. I think that Elon is an incredible entrepreneur. He's done a lot. I think DOGE was really good. This effort to root out waste, fraud and abuse in our country was really good. "Look man, I'm always going to be loyal to the president, and I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible because he's gone so nuclear, but I hope it is." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether Musk will proceed with his America Party. If Vance intends to run in 2028, he likely won't announce for quite some time.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Who will run for president in 2028? Betting odds say...
Gamblers are already hedging their bets on who will win the 2028 presidential election. With more than three years to go until the next presidential election, bettors at Polymarket are already making their predictions as to who will win the 2028 election for the White House. According to Polymarket's betting odds on Monday afternoon, Vice President JD Vance has a 28% chance of winning the 2028 election while California Gov. Gavin Newsom trails with a 16% chance. According to Polymarket's betting odds, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has a 9% chance of winning the White House, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has a 7% chance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has a 6% chance. This comes as speculation has swirled over who will take over President Donald Trump's MAGA movement after leaving office and over who will be the next leader of the Democratic Party. Trump suggested earlier this month that Vance is the 'most likely' candidate for the 2028 GOP nomination. According to Polymarket, Vance has a 53% chance of winning the GOP nomination in 2028. Rubio trails with a 10% chance, followed by MAGA loyalist Steve Bannon with a 5% chance. Trump, who is constitutionally barred from running for president again, still received a 4% chance in the betting markets for the GOP nomination. Polymarket's bettors also give Newsom a 20% chance of being the Democratic Party's nominee. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez has a 13% chance and Buttigieg has an 8% chance, according to the betting market as of Monday. The latest betting odds come as Newsom has amped up his criticism of Trump in recent weeks by trolling him on social media platform X. Many pundits speculate that Newsom is gearing up for a presidential run after his time as governor ends in 2027. A recent Emerson College poll asked voters about possible matchups between Vance and potential Democratic contenders in the 2028 presidential election. The poll found Vance had a slight advantage over three possible rivals, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The tightest hypothetical race was between Vance and Buttigieg, according to the poll. The vice president received 44% of support while Buttigieg clinched 43%. Another 13% said they were undecided. In hypothetical matchups with Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom, Vance had a 3-point advantage. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to
