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It’s obvious that the mayor’s 2008 budget plan is going to have to change. Daley has even said so, announcing that he’s willing to slash some of the nearly $300 million in proposed new taxes, including more than $100 million in property levies, and at least delay some spending, such as for additional cops and recycling services. The mayor is a skilled enough politician that he can present this as a thoughtful, generous compromise. In fact, he’d hardly be the first public official to anger everyone with the specter of a gargantuan tax hike, then show apparent benevolence by implementing a slightly smaller one.
On the other hand, the mayor doesn’t have a choice this time.
But the mayor has to make some choices. He knows his budget doesn’t have close to a council majority. Black and “independent” aldermen appear to be more open to many of the tax ideas than the mayor’s usual friends, but they’re only going to support them if Daley gives them a few gifts in return–such as additional funding for the Inspector General’s office or an agreement to settle the police torture lawsuits.
