CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by twister244

My beef is he wants to tax everything under the sun that's already taxed to the max. He's proposing a hike on hotel taxes when we already have some of the highest in the nation. As a city that gets a fair share of tourism, I'm very against this.

I'm not a fan of Johnson's tax proposals, at all. On the other hand, unlike Vallas, he has actually presented a way to pay for his agenda. When will Vallas have to show the numbers on his spending proposals?

I personally prefer "tax & spend" to just "spend" as the second just takes us back to Daly-era politics. Vallas needs to answer for why districts seemed to end up in worse financial shape after he left.

Philly Enquirer:

By the end of the Vallas era, both Vallas and the city were disenchanted. A “surprise” $73 million deficit had cropped up. Vallas had enormous ambitions, and spent accordingly, souring his backers on his ability to lead effectively. In the end, Vallas skipped out on a School Reform Commission farewell.

After Philadelphia, Vallas became schools chief in post-Katrina New Orleans, where he closed traditional schools, expanded charters, and generally embraced a free-market model for public education.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by moorhosj1

I'm not a fan of Johnson's tax proposals, at all. On the other hand, unlike Vallas, he has actually presented a way to pay for his agenda. When will Vallas have to show the numbers on his spending proposals?

I personally prefer "tax & spend" to just "spend" as the second just takes us back to Daly-era politics. Vallas needs to answer for why districts seemed to end up in worse financial shape after he left.

Philly Enquirer:

I don't disagree with that sentiment but Johnson's plan will be regressive. For example, when we raise hotel taxes even more (again, we're the top in the country and that's not a good thing) that hotels become more expensive it will decrease tourism and also make a lot of the conventions think twice about holding their events in Chicago. This hurts those who work in that industry which covers all income classes.

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by marothisu

I don't disagree with that sentiment but Johnson's plan will be regressive. For example, when we raise hotel taxes even more (again, we're the top in the country and that's not a good thing) that hotels become more expensive it will decrease tourism and also make a lot of the conventions think twice about holding their events in Chicago. This hurts those who work in that industry which covers all income classes.

We are on the same page. Johnson is a "no go" in my book.

My criticism was more aimed at Vallas, who hasn't described how he will pay for his wish list. This especially concerns me given his past experience as Daly's "budget guy" and questionable financial stewardship while running different school districts.