Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Politicians protest tax-hike proposals

From Crain's this afternoon...

A group of Illinois congressmen and Cook County commissioners poured bottled water into the Chicago River on Monday in protest of recent tax hikes proposed by Mayor Richard M. Daley and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.

“We deserve a Chicago-style tea party,” said Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Chicago, as he stood near the Michigan Avenue bridge. “Taxation without representation is tyranny.”

He was joined by Cook County Commissioners Forrest Claypool and Larry Suffredin and by Kenny Johnson Jr., who is running for state representative in the 26th District. Supporters held signs with messages such as “Cut the corruption” and “Stop Daley & Stroger tax dynasties.”

At issue are Mr. Daley and Mr. Stroger’s proposals for balancing each of their respective 2008 budgets. Their suggestions, which include a bevy of increased taxes and fees for Cook County and Chicago residents, have drawn sharp criticism from even their own supporters.

Mr. Daley has proposed $260 million in tax and fee hikes, including a 10-cent levy on bottled water, while Mr. Stroger has proposed more than tripling Cook County’s sales tax rate to 2.75%.


I'm happy to hear that Jesse Jackson Jr. is on the warpath about this, but to be honest there are those who wished that he had been saying these things as a mayoral candidate.

5 comments:

Anonymous,  8:05 AM  

Not surprising though. It's easier for him to throw rocks from a safe distance (where he won't be hit back). Like father, like son.

Interesting that Suffredin was there and Brookins wasn't. I'm thinking that a deal is in the works for Jr. to back Suffredin for State's Attorney.

Anonymous,  11:16 AM  

And now he'd be saying them as a Congressman who waged an unsuccessful bid for mayor.

Anonymous,  2:57 PM  
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Levois 3:12 PM  

Sorry Joey, next time you want to post a story of interest a link would do. And please keep it on subject too.

JBP 2:53 PM  

Sufferdin endorsed Stroger Jr. for Cook County Board President, despite years of battles with his father. (Incidentally, so did Barak Obama and Dick Durbin)

It would have been much easier to have some public input on this during the election, rather than 1 year after.

Larry, Barak, Dick...can you please think about who you are endorsing before the election before you complain about it afterwards?

JBP

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