Posted on 09/22/2015 2:11:03 PM PDT by Beave Meister
CHICAGO – Mayor Rahm Emanuel pitched a massive property tax hike Tuesday as a "last resort" to correct Chicago's financial footing, suggesting the only alternative for the nation's third-largest city would include severe cuts to police and fire services, recycling programs, pothole repair and even rodent control.
Emanuel, who needs approval from state lawmakers and the governor for at least part of his sweeping plan, outlined a $543 million property tax over four years, a $45 million tax to modernize schools, and other new fees for residential garbage pickup, e-cigarettes and ride-sharing services. The property tax revenue would go toward paying police and firefighter pensions, with other fees aimed at closing a budget gap and improving overall financial health.
The Democrat, who won a second term after a tough campaign earlier this year, said Chicago's underfunded pensions were "a big dark cloud" standing in the way of further progress. Before delivering the news, he ticked off other cost-cutting reforms the city already had tried.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
funny how the “forced cuts” always have to be to the handful of items people are actually wiling to pay taxes for.
I'm going to bet 100 percent.
So what I'm really curious about - can't any city council just pass a budget for a future city council to deal with? I mean, the 2015 city council says that the 2020 city council must spend $45,000,000 on snow removal from luxury homes - and if that isn't legitimate, then how is any retirement plan valid past the tenure of the city council who approved the wages?
Is Rahm going to pay full tax on his family property or continue to claim it is a nonprofit property because of some legal scheme set up to evade taxes?
We have lots of Illinoid license plates starting to show up in west Michigan because so many of the idiot libs are fleeing Chicago due to the high taxes, and because it is cheaper to live here. Only to come here and vote for every tax hike proposal and for left-wing city officials.
“other new fees for....ride-sharing services”
It begins.
Its a lot like cancer. Libs destroy the host and move on. Come to think of it, its a lot like islam too.
Who wants to bet he wouldn’t consider cutting spending on things like his squad of armed guards or limo service? City funded martini lunches...I wonder if he plays golf. If so I’m sure the city pays for it. How about cutting his own salary back a bit...After all, Trump has promised to go without one altogether. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t hurt the entire city council/aldermen to take a bit of a salary cut. A couple of thousand a year won’t hurt people who already make twice what the average person does...yeah it’s a drop in the bucket, but if you take a drop here and a drop there...
They should make mayors’ salaries based on performance. If the city goes broke, so do you. Ditto for city council. Sit back and watch...
Typical Democrat “solution”, more taxes...While he’s adding taxes to everyone else, I bet he takes every tax shelter, write off and loophole he can find on his own taxes...
The unions hate Rahm, fought hard against him.
This whole freaking state is corrupt, it all begins with Madigan that pos.
Called a realtor today, I detest this county.
There is much truth in that.
“then how is any retirement plan valid past the tenure of the city council who approved the wages?”
Excellent question. What a city council passes in one term can be rescinded by the next city council. That’s why it’s critical that conservatives get off their fat, lazy butts and take control of their local governments, including the schoolboard, city council and county board.
In many areas of the country, less than 10% of the voters turn out for local spring elections. It would be easy to take over local governments if conservatives availed themselves of their right to vote.
It’s also a good idea to elect a pro-2nd amendment, constitutional sheriff in the county. That gives you legal and armed muscle to investigate local thieving rats and throw them in state prison and to also resist incursions by the criminal fascist syndicate occupying Washington.
Democrats in action! Run a big city into the ground and expect taxpayers to pay for their ineptness.
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