PRESS RELEASE: Garrido Proposes Aggressive Budget and Tax Reforms with his “Honesty and Efficiency Initiative” for Cook County

SCHILLER PARK – John Garrido took another step in establishing himself as the only candidate truly concerned about reforming Cook County. He will focus his efforts on creating an open and efficient budget and tax structure that promotes opportunity growth in Cook County, not government growth.

“Companies are cutting back their expenditures, and people are losing their jobs. It’s disgusting that during that same time, the government is raising their taxes and wasting that money. I intend to act more responsibly than the current administration and the other candidates,” said Garrido.

“I’m proposing a comprehensive reform plan that focuses on using two principles in budget and tax policy. The first is honesty. In order to produce an honest budget and honest taxes, I intend to do four things: pass a Taxpayer Bill of Rights that takes tax increases out of the hands of self-serving politicians, post the County’s check register online, hold open forum budget reviews, and meet clear performance baselines in budgeting.”

According to the Civic Federation, the FY2010 budget proposed by Todd Stroger increased operating appropriations by 4.5% over FY2009, and the FY2010 budget increases full-time employees by another 135.9 positions under Special Purposes Funds. Additionally, the county gave only nine working days for the public to review and comment on the proposed FY2010 budget.

Garrido highlighted the second principle of efficiency by proposing to immediately roll back the county sales tax to three-quarters percent, cap the property tax levy at $600 million, and reducing spending between ten to fifty percent among Cook County agencies.

“What we need is a comprehensive approach to reforming Cook County government. Unfortunately, it’s now time to take drastic steps in doing so, simply because the current administration has failed the people of Cook County. I’m not even sure the other candidates in this elections are in any way willing to make such proposals, which shows their lack of dedication to true reform,” said Garrido.

“I eagerly await the opportunity to help create a county which attracts businesses and jobs, instead of pushing them away. Our
communities in the county need real opportunity, and their government is consistently standing in the way. I’m dedicated to reforming Cook County, and my aggressive budget and tax reforms are evidence of that.”

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For more information about John Garrido or his campaign to bring a fresh start to Cook County, please contact Robert Lee by cellular phone at (815) 347-0294, by email at media@garrido2010.com, or by visiting http://www.garrido2010.com.