Cook County Eyes $4 A Month Phone Tax

The Chicago Tribune reports:

A $4 monthly tax on every telephone line in Cook County, including mobile phone lines, is one proposal under consideration as county government struggles to close its budget gap.

County commissioners are looking at a variety of proposals to balance the budget, and opposition is stirring from consumer and business interests over the idea of a telephone tax, which was quietly raised in recent weeks.

No hearings have been held on the proposed new tax. Until now it has been "flying under the radar," said David Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board. "We understand this proposal is on the front burner and is very serious. It gives new meaning to the term 'pay phone.'"

The phone-tax proposal was introduced to the County Board by Commissioner William Beavers, who did not return several telephone calls made to his office Friday. A nine-page draft of the proposed "telecommunications tax ordinance" was circulated to county commissioners on Sept. 18.

A CUB analysis determined that the tax, if passed, would add $20 a month in phone taxes for an average household with five phone lines, including a landline, a cell phone and a high-speed Internet connection.

Can you name that party that's controlled Cook County for decades? This is theft through majority voting.