Trenches of Democracy

The Chicago Tribune has identified Commissioner Suffredin as the decisive flip vote to enable Cook County president Stroger’s sales-tax increase. Ironically Suffredin’s website quotes him to the contrary; “At this point, I see no need for any increase in taxes. I am opposed to a sales tax because it is regressive and adversely affects the poorest members of the community.” So what happened? The Tribune explains:

$426 million per a year from taxpayers. . . Stroger’s budget includes more than 1,100 new jobs.

This travesty unfolded because Suffredin — who had labor leaders literally hovering behind him during deliberations — cut a deal that gave his decisive vote (and that $426 million) in new revenue to Stroger.(read more)

Tags: Budget, Cook County, Stroger, Suffredin

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