Fill Up To Help Chicago

In France, there have been riots because of government imposed increases in the cost of energy. In Illinois, the outgoing mayor of Chicago feels safe in proposing a dramatic increase in what you and I pay at the gas pump….There won’t be any riots here….but a proposed higher state gas tax will hasten the exodus from the Prairie State.

Rahm Emanuel says Illinois needs a 20-to-30 cent-per gallon increase in the state’s gas tax and he knows exactly where the money needs to be spent.

In Chicago.

Pointing to other Midwestern states who have increased their gas taxes, Emanuel says the state has been “stuck in neutral” for years and needs to tax our way to repair our infrastructure and create construction jobs.

Not terribly gutsy for a mayor on his way out of office. And not terribly inclusive for all of us down in Southern Illinois where he wants us to fill our tank so that most of the money can be spent in Chicago. Hizzoner says most of the state’s GDP is generated in the Windy City, so most of the new tax money needs to stay there.

Further, Emanuel understands that the idea will not be popular anywhere in Illinois….so he thinks the legislature should tie the gas tax to inflation so they will never have to vote on it again. It just automatically goes up.

The new Governor will embrace the idea right after he gives Chicago a new casino and legalizes pot. It will give him the opportunity to travel around the state for the next four years cutting ribbons on new road projects.

This is our continuing norm. We are going to be taxed to death over the coming years in Illinois.

Budget cuts?

Nope. Only budget-enhancement.