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Pritzker defends after ILGOP again attacks him over pop tax

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Illinois

* From the ILGOP…

For over a month, Cook County residents have been subjected to the absurd soda tax that Chicago Democrats have imposed on them.

J.B. Pritzker has repeatedly avoided taking any position that would benefit residents who have been paying the price for Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Machine’s money grab.

Similar taxes have been viewed as a cautionary tale, resulting in layoffs and reduced sales for small businesses.

When taxes like this have failed elsewhere, why do Toni Preckwinkle and her fellow Democrats continue to support them, especially when confronted with overwhelming disapproval from their constituents?

We know J.B. Pritzker opposes bipartisan legislation in Springfield to repeal the Soda Tax, he says “local governments should be given deference to make decisions over their own jurisdictions,” but where does Pritzker stand on the pending Cook County Board of Commissioners plan to repeal the soda tax?

So far, he’s been MIA and for good reason. The Cook County Democrats recently endorsed Pritzker, and his tacit approval of their disastrous soda tax is the price of their support.

Clearly, Pritzker and the Cook County Democratic Machine have no intention of standing up for taxpayers, especially when there is money to be made.

5 More days for Pritzker to take action.

* From Galia Slayen at the Pritzker campaign…

“We know it has been a rough few months for the ILGOP, but they should try doing their homework before peddling tired talking points. JB has already said he opposes the soda tax and supports the county repealing the tax. Unlike Bruce Rauner, JB supports progressive taxes that lift up middle class families and those striving to get into the middle class – not regressive taxes.”

And, of course, the governor wanted to impose a state sugary drinks tax earlier this year.

* Meanwhile, yes, there are ads running against the pop tax, but blaming public outrage on those ads ignores the simple fact that the tax is hugely unpopular…

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday said public opposition to the county’s controversial beverage tax is being driven by a repeal campaign orchestrated by Big Soda.

She compared the situation to the tobacco industry, saying there’s been an overall drop in pop consumption as consumers turn to healthier alternatives.

“Big Soda knows that, and they are fighting in the same way the cigarette companies fought against taxation, against public-education campaigns to try to reduce the amount of smoking,” Preckwinkle said.

Her comments came amid a local multimillion-dollar ad war between the beverage industry and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a longtime critic of the negative health effects of consuming sugary drinks.

That battle has ramped up in recent weeks, as each side purchased additional TV commercials in the run-up to Wednesday’s County Board meeting. Commissioners who oppose the tax are expected to formally introduce a repeal ordinance then.

* At one point yesterday, Bloomberg bought out the entire Sun-Times home page for his pro-tax ads…

* And…

Marking the first concrete threat to Cook County politicians who support the pop tax, critics of the measure have formed a political-action committee to raise money for challengers in next year’s elections.

The new group — called Citizens for a More Affordable Cook County — quietly filed paperwork to form as a campaign committee with Illinois elections officials last month, records show.

Underscoring the spreading distaste for the sweetened beverage tax, the new PAC has ties to the Democratic Party — the same party that backed the tax itself.

The PAC says it could fund challengers to the eight County Board commissioners who voted for the tax. But in a statement to the Sun-Times on Thursday, the group pointedly avoided saying whether it would back a challenger to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who’s up for a third term in 2018.

The PAC has not yet reported any actual contributions, however.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 12:11 pm

Comments

Michael Kasper, always thinking!

Comment by Amalia Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 12:21 pm
I eagerly await the next ILGOP attack on the corrupt Holocaust Museum, and the mourning of the loss of statesman Ken Dunkin from the GA.

Brilliant political minds at work.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 12:21 pm
A pro-tax advertisement and the union owned Sun Times…saw that coming from the Holland Tunnel.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 12:30 pm
JB says “local governments should be given deference to make decisions over their own jurisdictions”.

Does that apply to prevailing wage too, JB? I bet not.

Comment by Santige Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 12:45 pm
No matter how much Preckwinkle pushes, no matter how much Bloomberg spend, I don’t think the “Big Soda” argument is going to sell. Few are going to equate Pepsi with R.J. Reynolds.

Comment by Roman Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 1:07 pm
Sad sad GOP. And yea, sad Toni too. As you point out Rich, all my tax supporting friends insist the opposition is the result of “Big Soda” whatever the heck that is. But the opposition was instant and it was enormous. The first poll was done right after the tax went into effect - before any campaign - and it was 87% - long before “Big Soda” got to work.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 1:14 pm
Galia,

for future reference in Chicago and most of Illinois we call it Pop. Soda is for carpet baggers like Chris Kennedy

Comment by iggy Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 1:22 pm
Of course “big soda” is against this! But that doesn’t mean lots of other people aren’t against it too. The tax has been a PR debacle and at this point convincing people that (a) the County actually needs the money or (b) this is health-related are probably long gone.

Comment by Century Club Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 1:30 pm
When Michael Kasper is the head of your local anti-tax movement…. What a hoot.

Comment by Steve Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 1:33 pm
Not only a reach, it was apparently a wrong accusation. On another note, Commissioner Richard Boykin, your table is ready.

Comment by LevivotedforJudy Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 1:35 pm
Galia Slayen is like a parody of herself. Serious question - when was the last time she set out a press release that didn’t have the phrase “talking points” in the very first sentence. Seriously. Every single thing attributed to her in the press that I can recall starts with some very minor variation of that same sentence.

Back to class, Galia. Think hard. Do better.

Comment by Jack Kemp Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 2:21 pm
“…..carpet baggers like Chris Kennedy.” how long does someone have to live and work here, and have a wife who is from here, to NOT get this moniker? He’s lived here for 30 years, or longer than Ald. Rosa has been alive. And, I guess you don’t want people to move into Illinois and work here. Unless, of course, you are giving them second class status because their political activities are not born in Illinois. kinda Trump like.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 2:28 pm
What Amalia said.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 2:28 pm