Transit bailout was huge disservice to all

Once again, the massive egos in Springfield have done the citizens of our area a total disservice. I refer to the public transit funding passed on Jan. 17.

1. This "solution" only occurred after much political posturing and the creation of sequential crisis funding situations which finally reached the point where Band-Aid solutions were exhausted.

2. The last-minute gambit of the governor to provide all seniors with free transportation in the RTA service area was dictatorial. Many seniors resent this as we are fully able to pay for our fares and do not wish to be a further burden on all taxpayers. The reasonable alternative would have been to cover seniors and disabled of limited income/resources.

3. The funding for this will come from an increase in the sales tax throughout the RTA service area. An additional sales tax increase is given to five collar counties to use for transportation and public safety. This is a loophole through which one could drive a convoy.

4. Per my conversation with a local state representative, the RTA portion of the sales tax will apply to food and drugs. This has been largely avoided in the past. Does this open the door to a new precedent on taxing two of the critical necessities of life?

5. The sales tax is one of the most regressive taxes created by state and local government. It takes a disproportionate share of income from those on modest and low incomes.

6. A "trailer" amendment to restrict the free transportation access to seniors of limited means passed the House. It was not called for a vote in the Senate at the direction of the Senate president. He justifies full access to all seniors by arguing that McDonald's offers him a senior discount on his coffee without regard to income. But it still wasn't free. Neither should transportation be free to those who can pay the fare!

Royce M. Blackwell

Elgin