October 9th, 2009 07:46am
Wally Haas
The Editorial Board has long advocated that the Winnebago County Board be cut in half. Champaign County is the most recent county to consider a reduction in it’s county board. Read the News-Gazette’s editorial on the topic HERE.
I particularly liked this paragraph: “Unfortunately, the same board members who adamantly refuse to join in the heavy lifting often are the same ones who adamantly refuse to reduce the board’s size. Why? Either because it might cost them a seat on the board, something they’re loath to surrender, or compel them to expend some energy if elected to a smaller board.”
October 6th, 2009 12:52pm
Wally Haas
Since the Barmore shooting, there have been some in Rockford — and outside of Rockford — who have called for a citizens police review board. Urbana has such a board. Read today’s editorial from the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette HERE.
September 30th, 2009 10:58am
Wally Haas
I think Chicago will get the 2016 Olympics, mainly because of money.
First, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley told the Olympic committee the city will accept the financial burden (ouch).
Second, TV, which drives just about everything in sports, would profit more by having an Olympics in the U.S. than it would to schlep announcers, camera people and crew to Rio, the site Senior Editor Chuck Sweeny thinks will get the bid. (Read Chuck’s blog HERE.)
Third, Vegas is betting on Chicago. I don’t know much about these things, but the odds of Chicago winning are -133. Rio’s odds are +300.
Personally, I don’t think President Obama would travel to Copenhagen for the announcement unless someone tipped him off that Chicago was going to win. I think the decision has been made and Obama’s presence is more for show than a last-ditch attempt to get the Games.
Chuck’s right that it’s South America’s turn to host an Olympics. That would be fair, but I don’t see fairness winning this one.
We’ll find out Friday.
September 24th, 2009 12:19pm
Wally Haas
… of video poker being successfully implemented? Chuck Sweeny explored the Gaming Commission’s problems with regulating the games this morning. If you missed Chuck’s column, read it HERE.
Last night I attended a forum about video gambling at the NIU-Rockford campus. The event was hosted by Concerned Citizens for America and there were about 20 people present.
Richard Mitchell gave a PowerPoint presentation from the Coin Machine Operators Association perspective. It was titled “Separating Myth from Reality” which downplayed the social costs (addictive behavior is 0.1 percent less than it was in the 1970s) and emphasized what a good deal having video gambling was for citizens, municipalities and the state.
Mitchell was followed by the Rev. Tom Grey of Stop Predatory Gambling. Grey’s presentation included video of people who said their lives were ruined because they became addicted to video gambling.
There were a handful of tavern owners in the audience. They said that only the big corporations have been able to take advantage of legal gambling (riverboats, lottery, etc.) and saw video poker as a way “the little guy” could get a piece of the gambling pie. They said their businesses were struggling because of the economy and because of Illinois’ smoking ban and were hoping video gambling could help them make up for those losses.
September 23rd, 2009 08:35am
Wally Haas
Yesterday, Boone County treasurer Curt Newport met with some members of the Editorial Board to explain the property tax process. Newport was concerned after a series of stories, editorials and columns that the Editorial Board had some misconceptions about property taxes. He did a good job of explaining the system and gave us this top 10 list:
1. Taxing and spending decisions are made by boards of locally elected officials, at public meetings where we can attend and express our opinion. We can all make a difference, if we participate in the process.
2. Property taxes stay local. The money is spent here in our community, providing local jobs. We can see how the funds are used.
3. The property tax burden is shared among all property owners, not just local residents. A significant portion comes from commercial and industrial property, easing the burden on homeowners.
4. Exemptions reduce the tax burden for homeowners, senior citizens and disabled people, and state aid is available for low-income seniors.
5. Property taxes are deductible from federal income tax, further reducing their net cost.
6. Farmland is assessed according to productivity rather than market value. This tends to reduce the tax burden on farmers in areas where development is driving up land prices.
7. Annual tax increases are limited by PTELL (Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, better known as tax caps) to the rate of inflation.
8. Property taxes are enforceable and collectible. Unlike income and sales taxes, the property tax system does not depend on taxpayer honesty. You never have to wonder if your neighbor is cheating the government or paying his fair share.
9. Property taxes are calculated by the county clerk and billed by the county treasurer. Property owners do not have to keep specific records, file complicated forms, hire accountants or purchase special software.
10. Property taxes provide a stable source of revenue for essential government services. Revenue can be budgeted with considerable accuracy. This prevents layoffs and service reductions during periods when other revenue sources decline.
September 22nd, 2009 08:38am
Wally Haas
I didn’t know there was such a thing. THIS editorial in the Sun-Times alerted me to it. HERE’S a link to the Web site about the day. I guess there’s a day for just about everything.
September 14th, 2009 10:47am
Wally Haas
Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato will be here today to talk about “recent events,” i.e. the Barmore shooting and the developments that surround it. Bruscato called me a week ago because he wanted to be “proactive” about sharing what information he could
On Thursday we’ll have a round-table discussion about the Cap and Trade legislation that has environmentalists and manufacturers on opposite sides. Our guest list has folks from Environment Illinois, the Union of Concerned Scientists, The Heartland Institute, the Illinois Farm Bureau and a couple of local manufacturers.
September 11th, 2009 01:57pm
Wally Haas
On YouTube, the edit board’s meeting with the Rev. Jesse Jackson. You can see part 1 HERE. The entire meeting will be posted. If you Google Rockford Register Star and Jesse Jackson, you’ll find the other installments.
September 1st, 2009 12:55pm
Wally Haas
The Editorial Board had about an hour chat with Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey today. We asked the mayor how he was going to help the community healing process over the shooting of Mark Anthony Barmore. The mayor has been very busy meeting with many members of the community, working with law enforcement and working with the Department of Justice. We’ll have more in an editorial for Wednesday.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson will visit us Wednesday. I talked to Jackson via telephone yesterday and he, too, talked about the healing process. He called the situation very tense and potentially explosive. From the folks I’ve talked to who were at Jackson’s Sunday appearances, he has had a calming effect on the audiences.
In our phone conversation Jackson talked about Rockford’s chronic problems with truancy and high unemployment. He’ll be talking to high school students tomorrow about the value of education.
Jackson, for the most part, has had a positive effect. However, as welcome as his visits are, Rockford must learn to solve its problems by itself and not rely on outside influences.
A famous Jackson quote that applies here is “It is time for us to turn to each other, not on each other.”
August 31st, 2009 02:00pm
Wally Haas
I won’t comment about the contents of the book because I haven’t read it yet, but I was trying to figure out the cover. I’m guessing that’s suppose to be tear, but I thought it might be a rope as in they tried to hang the guy. If it’s a tear, I don’t understand why Blago would want it to look as if the cover was torn.
Maybe it’s a noodle. Maybe it’s a spine as in “I have the backbone to tell the truth.” Maybe someone out there can enlighten me.
And why only three-quarters of his face? Is it because the book is only three-quarters true? And what’s with the title? “The Governor” seems pretty bland. There are 50 folks who could use that title, including the man who replaced Blago, Pat Quinn.
You can read a little about the book HERE.
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