Chicago Budget Chief Slams Growing Cities to Defend Tax Hike

The Chicago Tribune reports on Mayor Daley's Budget Director Bennett Johnson III, who's defending many new taxes.Here's a gem of a quote from Mr. Johnson:

"If we want to be like Detroit, Toronto, San Antonio, Jacksonville, all these places where they are cutting services, it is a downward spiral that's hard to get out of," Johnson said.

Some aldermen also questioned the wisdom of imposing a new 10-cent levy on bottled water.

We don't know if Mr. Johnson learned his math skills in the Chicago Public Schools but here's a few facts.According to the latest census estimates from 2000 to 2006:San Antonio gained 152,036 people,Jacksonville gained 58,938 people while Chicago lost 62,695 people.Progress to Mr. Johnson means government workers retiring at 48 years old,higher taxes,and union corruption.