California withholds legislator pay until budget fixed!

By: Moe Lane (Diary)  |  June 23rd at 09:00 AM  | 

I was absolutely certain that there was insufficient moral courage in the California state government to actually make stick the new rule that if California legislators don’t produce a balanced budget on time every year, then California legislators don’t get paid until they actually do produce a budget.  That’s probably because I’m a bit cynical when it comes to political foxes and fiscal hen-houses, particularly | Read More »

The City of Chicago government will be closed today for lack of funds.

By: Moe Lane (Diary)  |  August 17th at 10:30 AM  | 

No, really. If you planned to check out a library book, visit a city clinic or have your garbage picked up on Monday, you’re out of luck. The City of Chicago is basically closed for business on Aug. 17, a reduced-service day in which most city employees are off without pay. City Hall, public libraries, health clinics and most city offices will be closed. They | Read More »

Illinois state tax increases killed.

By: Moe Lane (Diary)  |  May 31st at 08:45 PM  | 

Amazing what a little fiscal intransigence can do: The Illinois House overwhelmingly rejected a temporary income tax increase Sunday, moving the state closer to massive spending cuts that critics called a “doomsday” budget. The House’s Democratic leaders didn’t even try to pass a larger, permanent increase that was approved by the state Senate a day earlier. Lawmakers said there was little support for that plan | Read More »