Celebrating raising taxes - really?

Democrats are taking a victory lap claiming one of the greatest sessions in Illinois history, while raising taxes on basic needs with no fiscal restraint and no systemic changes for our pension problems. Should we celebrate? Be careful and read the fine print.

Remember when they last raised taxes and claimed it would be temporary? Remember when the lottery was the answer to our school funding problems? Remember when casinos were going to solve our state's money problems? Do we believe them this time? Have you read the fine print?

If we vote for graduated taxes will Democrats really restrain themselves in the future not to ratchet increases down to middle income brackets? It will only take a majority. Any savings to lower income brackets are taken away by new taxes. To get Republican votes on the infrastructure bill they scaled back proposed taxes, so the gambling bill now must cover part of the costs. Gambling bills have underperformed in the past. Will this time be different?

The marijuana bill earmarks only 10% to pay down debt with the rest going to new programs and the general budget. Will the reported revenues actually occur or will we just be saddled with new programs and new debt?

Fees for owning an electric car were raised sixfold and double that of a gas car. We are now taxing for reducing your carbon footprint. Not losing tax revenue must be more important than reducing our carbon footprint.

I guess we just have to keep asking for the rich to pay more and hope they stay in Illinois to pay it. Are we celebrating too early? I for one don't trust them.

Ken Maltas

Prospect Heights