Chicago's hereditary Mayor Daley has ruled out a pre-election property tax hike -- but other tax increases, layoffs and a raid on previously sacred economic development funds are "on the table" -- to erase a record $654.7 million budget shortfall that could rise considerably.
"There's nothing off the table, other than the property tax increase," Budget Director Gene Munin said Friday, insisting that spending cuts would come first.
After unveiling the city's $6.3 billion preliminary budget, Munin acknowledged that another raid on parking meter and Chicago Skyway reserves was "not a long-term solution" because revenues generated by the sale of those assets are "finite." But he didn't rule it out.
"We will take a look at that after we look at the expense side, just like we would look at other revenue items," he said.
Under pressure from aldermen, Munin also opened the door to a possibility that Daley had previously foreclosed: declaring a surplus in tax-increment-financing districts -- known as TIF districts and used for economic development -- and distributing the unallocated revenue to the city and other local government agencies.
That would have the added advantage of easing the budget crisis at the Chicago Public Schools, since schools get 53.5 percent of that money. The city gets just over 20 percent.
Year-end audits show Chicago's 159 tax-increment financing districts had a collective balance of $1.2 billion on Dec. 31, with all but $37.1 million of that money uncommitted. But Munin insisted that the unallocated figure is more like $700 million.
"There's obviously a price to be paid if you do that," Munin said. "That's an economic development tool. To declare a surplus, distribute it, get the city's share back in a much smaller amount and not be able to build police stations, firehouses and public libraries ... is a serious policy discussion we're gonna have to have."
Ald. Tom Allen (38th) countered, "That's the only logical place to find revenue. There's nowhere else to go. It's a recurring revenue stream. If that causes us to hold off on spending TIF money on building projects, we have to take that step."
Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th), the mayor's unofficial City Council floor leader, agreed that it's time to talk about raiding Daley's favorite piggy bank for economic development projects.
With the February 2011 election fast approaching, the only thing O'Connor would rule out is turning to Chicago taxpayers.
"My belief is that a tax increase [of any kind] would not be entertained under anybody's scenario. People can't afford it," he said.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported last week that the 2011 budget shortfall would approach a record $700 million when the cost of police and fire contracts are factored in, setting the stage for another raid on the parking meter and Skyway reserves.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2010 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
$655 million? That's chump change to the federal government. They could pay that and not even notice that. So all Hizzoner has to do is explain to The One about some things he knows that would be very embarrassing if they came out. Obama tells Rahm to release some money from petty cash, and the problem is solved.
It won't work for other cities because Obama is not from there.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
08/01/2010 0:19 Comments ||
Top||
While the BP well was still gushing, the Obama administration issued an order that limited the spreading of controversial dispersant chemicals on the Gulf of Mexico's surface. Their use, officials said, should be restricted to "rare cases." The entire article rants about dispersants without ever once telling us why they're bad. What's worse: the use of dispersants or leaving the oil to clog up the shores, bayous and bays? You're a newspaper, WaPo, why not start acting like one?
Despite the order - and concerns about the environmental effects of the dispersants - the Coast Guard granted requests to use them 74 times over 54 days, and to use them on the surface and deep underwater at the well site. The Coast Guard approved every request submitted by BP or local Coast Guard commanders in Houma, La., although in some cases it reduced the amount of the chemicals they could use, according to an analysis of the documents prepared by the office of Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).
The documents indicate that "these exemptions are in no way a 'rare' occurrence, and have allowed surface application of the dispersant to occur virtually every day since the directive was issued," Markey wrote in a letter dated Aug. 1 to retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad W. Allen, the government's point man on the spill. Markey chairs the House Select Committee on decreasing Energy Independence and Global Warming.
Allen said that on some days the amount of oil on the surface justified a "tactical" decision, by on-scene Coast Guard commanders, to spray some dispersants. "There's a dynamic tension that goes on when you're managing an incident that has no precedent," Allen said. "You establish general rules and guidelines, but knowing that the people on scene have the information" means trusting them to make decisions, he said. We don't permit individual initiative!
In the end, Allen said: "You can quibble on the semantics related to 'rare.' I like to focus on the effects we achieved" by dispersing the oil. Officials have said that, in the days since the gusher was stopped, thick sheets of oil have nearly disappeared from the gulf's surface. Results are not important, following the procedures is all that counts!
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson conceded that there had been "frustration in the field" from EPA officials about the waivers. But Jackson said it was partly alleviated June 22, nearly a month after the order was issued, when Coast Guard officials began giving the EPA a greater role in the discussions over whether to approve dispersant use. Right! The EPA gets to regulate pollution!
"EPA may not have concurred with every single waiver," Jackson said. But, she said, the Coast Guard had the ultimate say: "The final decision-making rests with the federal on-scene coordinator. That's where the judgment, the ultimate decision-making ability, had to lie." So why is this article on the front page (below the fold) of the Washington Post? Maybe the answer lies in the remainder of the article.
The dispersants break up the oil, acting like a detergent on kitchen grease. They are intended to keep the oil from reaching shore in large sheets and to make it easier for microbes to consume the oil underwater. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case!
In May, under pressure from environmental groups, the EPA and the Coast Guard issued a directive to BP, ordering the company to "eliminate" the use of dispersants on the surface. But the article laments the underwater use, as well, lumping the good and the bad into the bad.
"Because so much is still unknown about the potential impact of dispersants, BP should use no more dispersant than is necessary," Jackson wrote in a letter to BP. The directive said BP could seek an exemption in rare cases when other cleanup methods were not feasible. Yeah, like those foreign ships we banned for 60 days!
The government allowed BP to continue injecting dispersants below the surface, as oil leaked from the well on the gulf floor. Their logic was that the chemicals could be used more efficiently underwater, where the gushing of BP's well provided a turbulence that helped them work. Why waste a good crisis, when you can aggravate it?
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/01/2010 07:40 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[3 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
"You establish general rules and guidelines, but knowing that the people on scene have the information" means trusting them to make decisions, he said.
aka ROE. Notice how much trouble keeps bubbling up with control freaks who need to have a mother-may-I empire rather than pushing responsibility down to the lowest level to address the immediate situation at hand? It's a fatal flaw in bureaucracies and institutions that become inflexible and eventually ineffective. If you don't trust your people to execute the job, then fire them and get new ones. When you can't find anyone willing to take the job anymore, it's time to fire yourself.
#3
In a related turf/oil war, the oil spill in Michigan resulted in a tussle between the EPA, Fish and Wildlife and Battle Creek police over how to best save/treat animals caught in the oil.
No pun intnended, but feathers were severely ruffled when the BCPD took the lead in treating birds.
#5
The leak has been stopped as predicted. The giant, killer, methane bubble did not surface and destroy all life on the planet. Birds are still flying, gators are still gatering. I predict a near record season catch for gulf fishermen. Let's get back to producing those wells.
#6
Let's get back to producing those wells. Only the productive class will do that. The parasite class will continue to predict Gloom 'N Doom unless we follow the Party Line.
#7
Looks like the Coast Guard takes seriously the part of the oath that says the will protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
If you are suggesting the Coast Guard run up the Potomac and lay siege to the White House... well, OK.
As a side note, I read somewhere that years after the Exxon Valdez spill, the untreated areas of shoreline were cleaner than the treated parts. I suspect whatever treatment chemicals and techniques used reduced the microbial populations.
#8
If you are suggesting the Coast Guard run up the Potomac and lay siege to the White House... well, OK.
Couldn't happen. They probably have equipment violations like not enough of the proper types of fire extinguishers so they won't be allowed off the dock.
#9
Lessons from Exxon Valdez
Bioremediation protocols employed during cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill effectively demonstrated that application of nutrients in the form of fertilizer (nitrogen and phosphorus) could increase oil biodegradation rates.
Ten days after treatment, the surfaces of the oil-blackened rocks on the shoreline turned white and appeared to be free of surface oil. The striking visual results strongly supported fertilizer application, which sustained higher numbers of oil-degrading microorganisms in oiled shorelines, according to EPAs 1990 interim report. Additionally, the EPA noted, biodegradation rates were enhanced as evidenced by the chemical changes detected in recovered oil from treated and untreated reference sites.
The Exxon Valdez oil spill contaminated more than 1300 miles of coastline. Bioremediation was used only as an experiment on 78 miles of coastline. Two weeks after the fertilizer application, areas that had received bioremediation were easily distinguishable using satellite imagery. Bioremediation is far more advanced today than it was in 1989. It should be no surprise if it is even far more effective in the warmer waters of the Gulf.
#10
What, you're going to use phosphorous fertilizer? Everyone knows that's bad stuff, causes algae, milfoil, and who knows what. And nitrogen fertilizer? Good heavens, mix it with oil, look what happened in Oklahoma. I mean, the whole coast could go up if someone lit off an M80. Get some gummint experts in here to study this up, pronto!
Democratic leaders and major party donors plan to hold a lavish 80th birthday gala for Charlie (Yez got nuttin' on me, coppers!) Rangel at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan next month, despite 13 ethics charges pending against the veteran lawmaker.
Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are also listed as featured guests, according to an invitation viewed by The Hill.
Lobbyists and other party donors received invitations this week to join Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and New York Gov. David Paterson at one of New York's finest hotels to celebrate Rangel's birthday.
Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo and HizzonerMichael "No smoking, dammit!" Bloomberg are also listed as featured guests, according to an invitation viewed by The Hill.
Some potential guests received the invitation a day after the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct issued a report accusing Rangel of multiple ethics violations.
While some Democrats think Rangel has become politically radioactive in Washington, the invitation lists a variety of enticements to get people to show up to his birthday bash and contribute to his campaign.
Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," will serenade them and guests who pony up $200, $500, $1,000 or $2,500 for tickets. The funds will go to the Rangel Victory Fund, a campaign account.
The 2010 Rangel Birthday Gala is planned for August 11th despite the fact that Rangel's actual birthday is June 11th.
Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson and Ken Raske, president and CEO of the Greater New York Hospital Association and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, a prominent advocate for human rights and religious freedom, are listed among the chairs of the event.
It remains to be seen whether the leaders of the New York Democratic Party will stay in Rangel's corner when a growing number of Democrats in Washington are backing away from him. It'll be interesting to see how many of the invitees have to wash their hair that night.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2010 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
A rousing sendoff?
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
08/01/2010 3:06 Comments ||
Top||
#2
This proves that Charlie isn't beholden to lobbyists. I guess I wrong about him.
Posted by: Formerly Dan ||
08/01/2010 9:12 Comments ||
Top||
#4
Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson and Ken Raske, president and CEO of the Greater New York Hospital Association and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, a prominent advocate for human rights and religious freedom, are listed among the chairs of the event.
I see at least some in the Jewish community remain in denial.
#7
Maxine Waters will pop out wearing nothing but taxpayer money.
that is an eye-scrubbing image, seeing how none of our tax money is left.
Posted by: Martini ||
08/01/2010 17:38 Comments ||
Top||
#8
The people of New York will only get rid of Rangel when they duct-tape him to 400 pounds of cement and put him on a trash barge heading for deep water. I'm not sure there are enough people mad enough yet for that to happen. In the meantime, this crook continues to lie and steal his way to another couple of million in graft and corruption, all from the pockets of the taxpayer.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/01/2010 19:25 Comments ||
Top||
#9
Get vids of the people attending and hang them with it on election day.
Democratic Senator Ben Cornhusker Kickback Nelson of Nebraska said he will vote against confirming Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the first in his party to announce opposition.
Also today, Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire said he will vote for President Barack Obama's nominee, the fifth Republican to do so.
Nelson said he had heard "concerns" from people in Nebraska about Kagan. "Her lack of a judicial record makes it difficult for me to discount the concerns raised by Nebraskans, or to reach a level of comfort that these concerns are unfounded," Nelson said. "Therefore, I will not vote to confirm Ms. Kagan's nomination."
Still, Nelson said he would oppose any filibuster of Kagan's nomination and favor allowing an "up or down vote." It takes 60 votes to force a final vote. With 59 votes controlled by Democrats and five Republicans in support, Kagan's nomination would have enough to end a Republican filibuster.
In announcing his support for Kagan, Gregg said she "has pledged that she will exercise judicial restraint and decide each case that comes before her based on the law, with objectivity and without regard to her personal views."
"Ms. Kagan and I may have different political philosophies, but I believe that the confirmation process should be based on qualifications, not ideological litmus tests or political affiliation," Gregg said.
Republican Senators Lindsey Endangered South Carolina RINO Graham of South Carolina, Richard Lugar of Indiana and Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine also have announced their support for Kagan. The Senate plans to vote on confirmation next week.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2010 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under:
#2
The country will be sorry if Kagan is confirmed. She is an idealogue who will put personal beliefs about social justice before law. I'm wondering why Pubs and conservative Dems don't oppose her. She is a radical with little experience.
#4
Karl,
Pass the popcorn.
Jimmy, its gonna get better before the vote.
I think she gets confirmed by boy howdy the screams and yells, the cries of indignation are going to be fun to watch
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Democratic leaders and major party donors plan to hold a lavish 80th birthday gala for 
