How sad if sales tax hike is our best option

With a budget deficit ready to swallow up Cook County and a Republican governor bent on even more cuts, what is the solution? Tony Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board proposed a sales tax increase, but is reported to feel that a better choice would be a graduated income tax and an electronic transaction tax.

Both of these taxes would raise money from those who have the most to give and who are benefiting most from our economy.

Preckwinkle is also reported to believe that the income and transaction taxes would be hard to get passed. She seems to be left with the sales tax, which is regressive and hits poor people harder than it hits the wealthy, as the only possible solution to our fiscal problems, grossly inadequate as it would be.

What a sad state of affairs for our state and its people.

Karen Wagner

Rolling meadows