Cigarettes vs. Lottery Tickets (Chicago IL)

The Governor's proposed budget dominated education news this week, in what is turning out to be a slightly different (though no less contentious) budget development process than in the past. For starters, the Governor's proposed increases for education are smaller than in the past: Critics: Gov's budget skimps on education (Chicago Sun-Times). It also relies heavily on cigarette tax increases, which some oppose: Jones' rival plan would sell lottery tickets online (Chicago Sun-Times), Unhappy with cigarette tax, lawmakers eye other revenue sources (Chicago Tribune). Last but not least, it includes no effort at revamping the school funding system to increase equity as Emil Jones among others advocates: Key ally digs in over funding for schools (Tribune).

For even more, see: Schools sound alarm over funding proposal (Chicago Tribune), Education budget irks suburban lawmakers (Chicago Daily Herald).
For ALL the details, look here: Governor's education proposal PDF

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