A few weeks ago, the mayor said the city’s $420 million deficit was “not Mayor Daley’s debt” (“Under pressure, Daley to release preliminary budget,” August 11). Let’s take a look at that claim.
Highest sales tax of any major city? Check. Largest property tax increase in Chicago history? Check. First-in-the-nation bottled water tax? Check.
It seems every time a Chicagoan turns around there’s a new tax or fee. Sorry, Mr. Mayor, but it sure looks like we have been paying for your hefty spending habits.
Mayor Daley’s refusal to take responsibility for his gluttonous spending is outrageously arrogant. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear him admit that Chicago faces a spending problem, and not a revenue one?
If city officials continue to favor tax and fee increases, instead of implementing expenditure reductions, the city’s residents and economy will suffer and deficits will continue year after year.
John Nothdurft ([email protected]) is the budget and tax legislative specialist for The Heartland Institute.
John Nothdurft joined the staff of The Heartland Institute in May 2008 and left in January of 2019.
