I am quite sure you are aware that Mayor Emmanuel is proposing to add a 30% tax on the cost of water and sewer. This is on top off the recent 100% increase in water and sewer fees that was enacted over the last 3 years. These two items clearly represent a regressive tax  that affects the less fortunate in a much larger proportion than all others.

In a recent Sun Times article the Mayor, trying to defend this proposal, was quoted as saying “we can’t cut basic city services.” It seems to me there are no city services more basic than water and sewer. Aren’t these two items the entire rationale for the great Chicago River project?

When children can bathe and have clean clothes they feel better about themselves and perform better in school. When parents can bathe and have clean clothes they feel better about themselves and perform better at their jobs. When older people can bathe and have clean clothes they have a greater sense of self pride and are less likely to be taken advantage of by others. Beyond all of this, Clean Water is the fundamental building block of life. Hence the Federal Government spent billions of dollars with the clean water act of 1972. 

The most basic Economics course would state that if you tax something you get less of it.  Does the City of Chicago really want less of all the valuable things listed above?   I sincerely doubt it.

Please carefully consider this poorly thought out proposal by our Mayor and vote no when asked. I assure you all of your constituents will be grateful.