Posted on 01/22/2008 11:23:24 AM PST by JulianaJohnson
Have you gotten over your euphoria over the CTA bailout yet?
Only in Illinois could hiking a regressive tax and narrowly dodging an opportunity to reform the fiscally unsustainable underpinnings of mass transit in Chicago be described as averting the so-called doomsday scenario.
Never underestimate the lengths to which the lumps of lobbyist fodder in our legislative bodies will sink in order to provide cousin Frickie with his third public pension.
If you enjoyed the CTA bailout, you are really going to get a kick out of what is in store. Next month, gaming legislation is set to move in Springfield designed to make Illinois into Las Vegas Midwest.
Here's what's on the table: a city-owned, land-based casino in Chicago more than three times the size of the state's current riverboat casinos; the sale of the dormant 10th riverboat casino license; the sale of an additional 11th riverboat casino license; 3,600 slot machine positions spread over existing horse racing tracks; and advancement deposit wagering at the tracks. (For you gaming laymen, advancement deposit wagering--when it is not legally sanctioned by the government--is commonly referred to as "bookmaking".)
I am no ardent opponent of gambling but this proposal would make Steve Wynn blush.
So, like any good confidence men, the Democrats in Springfield have a plan to pluck us pigeons.
Proposition #1: How does 30% of the house take for education sound? Just think, we won't have to argue about school funding in Illinois ever again.
Hmmm... That reminds of the time in 1985 when the state decided to apply all of the proceeds from the Illinois Lottery to fund public schools so that we wouldn't have to have the debate over school funding that we have subsequently had for each and every one of the 23 years since.
Proposition #2: Because of the general boob-ery of the Springfield class, Illinois is at risk of losing $6 billion in federal transportation funds for unfailingly failing to produce the required 25% state match. Our old friend the roulette wheel can take care of that with due speed.
Selling massive, permanent gaming expansion under the auspices of better schools and safer roads & bridges--it just sings, doesn't it?
It promises to be Illinois Democrats' greatest heist yet.
© All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.