“What’s Yours is Mine” – Rockford Government

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Chicago – Government bureaucrats are trying to pass a referendum on the March 20 ballot to grant unlimited Home Rue taxing powers to politicians.
“What more do you need to know about Home Rule than you give up your right to vote on future tax increases,” asked Jim Tobin, president of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).
“Home Rule isn’t about autonomy from Springfield, it’s about a complete lack of spending discipline and cost control. As taxes at the state and federal level are cut, Rockford government bureaucrats seek to increase taxes without voter approval in order to make up the difference,” added Tobin.
The City of Rockford commissioned a task force charged with making recommendations on closing the $10.2 million budget gap. The press release announcing the highlights can be read at https://rockfordil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Finance-Task-Force-Presents-Findings-to-Council-Dec-2017.pdf.
“The only cost-cutting the task force could come up with was curbing safety officers’ overtime. Of course, the rest of the budget deficit is suggested to be bridged by tax increases and the adoption of Home Rule to facilitate that”.
“At least the task force was able to identify the primary problem with the Rockford budget: increases in obligated pension costs.”
“Revenue shortfalls and significant increases in obligated pension costs have driven the growth of the budget deficit.”
“Imagine if we ran our businesses like the city of Rockford – We pay ourselves more than we can afford, in both wages and pensions, and then hold people up to cover the payments. That’s exactly what they are trying to do.”
“This task force goes so far as to say that if Home Rule doesn’t pass, they should impose a utility tax…that reveals that they want Home Rule so they can indiscriminately increase taxes. That is what Home Rule does. If their tax increase has merit, then why are they afraid to put it up for a vote?”
“Just look at the pensions that Rockford has authorized for its government employees. If you can’t afford your pension payments then maybe you are paying people too much. And you just might have too many people working for the city!”
Click on the links below to view the top pensions for the City of Rockford:
Click here for a list of top 2017 Rockford Pensions.
“In Illinois, approximately 80% of local taxes go to pay the salaries and pensions of government employees. The Rockford budget for 2018 is for $139 million. That means payroll and pensions cost Rockford taxpayers well over $100 million a year.”
“It’s time for Rockford to cut spending and give taxpayers a break,” concluded Tobin.
“Home Rule gives unlimited taxing power to government bureaucrats. Vote no on March 20^th.”