If free rides go, cut sales tax, too

Editors, you should read your own newspaper. John Patterson and Marni Pyke nailed the facts down for you.

First, half-priced fares for seniors are a federal requirement - nothing to do with what happens in Illinois. Removing the other half of the fare, for seniors, was not a "gift" from anybody-it was the other side of a negotiation that resulted in a suburban sales tax increase to bail out the transit agencies' budgets. (In their own wisdom, these agencies then later expanded the reach of this provision, beyond seniors.)

In today's Saturday Soapbox, you want senior citizens to do what's right, meaning go back to paying half-fares. Fine, as soon as that suburban sales tax increase to bail out the transit agencies' budgets is rolled-back, too.

My question to you? Why was it then just a suburban sales tax increase? Why were taxes not raised at that time in the city, also?

Mike Smith

Palatine