-- 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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undoubtedly lead in water is very scary, my Chicago bungalow has a lead line. but i’m suspicious about the political forces behind pushing to replace lead service lines–ie operating engineers and plumbers union. it’s my understanding a good portion of water main replacement is being done with water department employees directly as opposed to be contracted out because that what the the unions negotiated w rahm not because it was cost effective. would this be the same case for water service line replacement–a cash bonanza for the operating engineer- plumbers unions, and city water dept employees?
Get the Fluoride out of the water first. Fluoride leaches lead of of the pipes. Look into it. Fluoridealert.org has much valuable info on this subject.