What went into Congress’s latest $1.1 trillion spending bill? A $9.3 million bailout for the Windy City’s favorite financial black hole, the CTA (which runs deficits every year) and $340,000 to buy property no one wants. Kristina Rasmussen, our executive vice president, weighed in on Fox Business News last week. You can watch by clicking the video above.
Funding Four-Legged Friends
Does your neighbor have eleven cats? Just one dog? An ornery little hamster? If so, you may soon be funding these four-legged friends—that is, if Michigan Republican Thaddeus McCotter has his way. McCotter has proposed a $3500 tax credit for, yes, people’s pets. You can watch John Tillman discuss the issue tonight at 5:00 on CBS 2 Chicago.
The Great Health Care Payoff
After a weekend of wrangling in the Senate, health care “reform”—an absolute mess of a bill—continues its painful march through Congress. Amanda Griffin-Johnson details who got what in the jaw-dropping health care payoff.
Picking Winners and Losers
The more we learn about stimulus funding, the shadier certain stories get. In this week’s Examiner, Kate Piercy takes a closer look at where the money’s going in Illinois, while highlighting a powerful tool to hold the government accountable.
That’s 1,545 Non-Renewable Dollars, Thank You Very Much
This week’s highlight from IllinoisOpenGov.org: $1545 for 350 “Renewable Energy Sources Posters.” Mark Cavers examines the latest in questionable state spending at our blog.
Missed Our Holiday Party?
You can catch up on all the fun and photos here, at our Facebook page. And if you’re not a “fan” of the Institute, sign up today! Also, to follow up on the theme of our party, Jerry Agar’s final top 10 of 2009 discusses the historical “gifts” that have best advanced freedom.
Happy Holidays from the Institute
From all of us at the Institute, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2010