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

New Budget in Brief

Next month McHenry County plans to launch an annual “Budget in Brief.” In an effort to make county government more accessible, it’s a short financial document (not to exceed 15 pages) complete with graphs and factoids.

["McHenry County puts an easy-to-read budget" Daily Herald: 2/27/08]

Tags: Budget, McHenry County