-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Summary and audio linked here.
Chicago’s political leadership is floating a pension buyout program as evidence it is seriously addressing the city’s thirty-six-billion-dollar unfunded pension liability, but Mark Glennon, founder of the Illinois policy research organization Wirepoints, said that the proposal moves debt from one column to another rather than reducing it, and that the broader fiscal picture facing the city continues to deteriorate across every measurable dimension. Audio here.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Full interview and summary linked here.
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Here’s a tough go, REDUCE AND CUT, that is the right answer.
Pay for what transit you use or WALK.
Talk like that won’t win elections. Instead how about, “Let’s make the rich pay their fair share so you don’t have to increase your spending”. “Why should you pay more when the rich are getting all the breaks”. Doesn’t matter if it’s true as the majority is too stupid anyway. All they hear is the “other guy” is paying.
An energy crisis? The ones to blame are the governor and legislators! Bring back tried and reliable coal and gas. That has kept our energy costs down, stooges.
Let’s see what kind of new laws can be made to give the criminal further breaks
No confidence any new laws will benefit taxpayers. We are dealing with elite, ruling communists
To think they were even considering a $1.50 tax on all retail deliveries using motor vehicles (including Amazon deliveries) gives you an idea of how locked in they are to keep their ever-increasing bloat in place. Is there a more greedy and corrupt state in the entire country?
In the end, more taxes will be needed since voters don’t support cuts. They just need to figure out which ones will upset the voters the least. Everything else is just for show. You can claim the state is “greedy” but this is what the voters want.
Are there differences among what is “needed” [public transit &/or taxes] and what some voters “want” and what legislators will do and what taxpayers will pay? It seems to me that all these sentiments or wishes can be separated. Taxes authorized or paid don’t immediately or logically follow from the ballot results in a low-turnout election promoted by those with a stake in the outcome — whether or not they ride the bus or simply align with others who do. Legislators should exercise judgment independently of campaign contributions by stakeholders. Obviously, there is between principled action and pragmatic action. Reality… Read more »
“if you support or predict tax increases, must you not also acknowledge and acquiesce in the results of Trump’s election? AND, is this any way to run a country or a state?” It’s not whether or not I support tax increases. The voters support tax increases and whether or not I agree with that, I support the decision of the voters. Do I agree with everything Trump is doing? No but I support the will of the voters. The voters chose Trump. He wants to deport illegals, wants men out of women’s sports, and wanted to lower/keep past low tax… Read more »
Chicago should pay for the financial mess they made of mass transit, not suburban Cook county and the rest of the state. CTA needs to fire political hires, downsize management, and stop spending money that they don’t have . Until they become fiscally responsible, CTA shouldn’t receive another dime. Chicago is the only place that benefits from increased funding, and the rest of the IL taxpayers loose.
Criminal Justice ? Do you mean they may look at the victims rights over the criminals ?