Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Cook County sales tax hike stands

Sun-Times:
Cook County’s penny-on-the-dollar sales tax hike, passed last year, will stand.

This morning the 17-member Cook County Board of Commissioners took a complicated vote that, ultimately, allowed Board President Todd Stroger to block legislation that would have repealed the 1 percentage point hike OKd last year.
...
To override the veto, a difficult four-fifths majority or 14 of the 17 commissioners would have to vote for it. This afternoon, only 11 commissioners voted to override, while 4 voted against the override, and commissioners Robert Steele and Earlean Collins voted “present.”

While those pushing for the full repeal have said the penny-on-the-dollar sales tax hurts both consumers and businesses, Stroger has said eliminating the entire hike would effectively shutter Provident Hospital and health care clinics that serve the poor and uninsured.

The timing couldn't be worse, he has said, considering the economic downturn has resulted in thousands of layoffs, and as a result, a spike in the number of uninsured seeking care at county-run hospitals.

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