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.
August 26th, 2009 10:25am
Wally Haas
Rockford’s library budget problems are not unique. I just read this story on the Peoria Journal-Star’s Web site about the financial challenges the Peoria library faces. Peoria library folks aren’t cutting as much as Rockford, but it’s still a pretty good chunk of money.
At least things aren’t as bad as they are in Seattle, where the libraries will be closed for a week to deal with money matters. Read about that HERE.
Other communities also are stuggling with library finances. I found this story from ConnPost.com interesting.
August 26th, 2009 08:21am
Wally Haas
Would you be willing to pay to get certain items from the public library? Does everything have to be free? I’m not advocating fees, I’m just looking for your thoughts as the library struggles with its finances.
Would you be willing to pay 50 cents to rent a video? Would you be willing to pay $1 to check out the latest book? That’s pretty cheap entertainment when you consider how much it costs to rent/buy a movie from a video store or how much it costs to buy books.
All of us in the library taxing district pay for those videos and movies whether we check them out or not, so wouldn’t it make sense for the actual users to chip in a few bucks more?
My wife and I use the library a lot and I think we’ve gotten our money’s worth with the taxes we pay, but I wouldn’t object to paying a bit extra so that the library has the money to continue all the wonderful programs it has.
Again, I’m not advocating a fee structure at this time, I just want to get your thoughts.
August 24th, 2009 08:14am
Wally Haas
I found this in my inbox this morning:
Hynes Calls on Quinn to Fire EPA Director Scott
Governor’s lack of leadership, embrace of Blagojevich cronies hurts IL families
CHICAGO – Responding to today’s Chicago Tribune article highlighting the political feuds that forestalled environmental damage investigations and prosecutions, Illinois Comptroller and Democratic candidate for Governor Dan Hynes today called on Pat Quinn to exercise real leadership and move immediately to remove state EPA Director Doug Scott.
“Today’s article reminds us all that the Blagojevich culture of politically-driven decisions still has a foothold in Pat Quinn’s administration, and Illinois families are the clear victim,” Hynes said. “I am calling on the Governor immediately to dismiss Doug Scott.
Noting that Quinn told reporters today that Scott was doing “a good job” and “good work,” Hynes said:
“It is troubling enough that Governor Quinn has failed to act on this matter. I am appalled, however, that even in light of the facts revealed in the Tribune that Governor Quinn would praise Scott’s tenure in office.”
“The Governor’s inexplicable delay in removing Blagojevich appointees, from Director Scott to his budget team, prevents our state from moving forward. Governor Quinn likes to talk about making tough choices. This is not a tough choice – it’s a no-brainer,” Hynes said.
Hynes pointed out that the Governor’s missteps and shaky leadership have also left Illinois without a clear budget plan, and the University of Illinois in chaos as school is about to start.
“As with his approach to the budget, and the crisis at the University of Illinois, this is a clear example of Governor Quinn failing to lead. Public relations is not a substitute for real leadership.”
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