All Press Items

CTBA experts are available to provide insight, analysis, and data to the press on a wide range of public policy issues. In addition, CTBA disseminates new research and timely updates on policy developments to the media.

What We Do

  • Policy analysis and advocacy
  • Empirical research
  • Advice and technical assistance
  • Strategic leadership in coalitions
  • Legislative testimony
  • Public education
July 29, 2022Daily Herald

It should come as a surprise to no one that vacant and abandoned properties, which are located in every area of the state, are a major economic and societal problem. After all, nothing good happens on abandoned property. Guest Columnist Ralph Martire addresses racial discrimination and economic disinvestment in federal, state and local housing policies.

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June 27, 2022Daily Herald

Ralph Martire's recent column addresses inflation and rising gas prices.

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June 24, 2022Crain's Chicago Business

Illinois' richest resident announced Thursday he was jumping ship to South Florida, but how much will the move affect the state’s tax coffers? Losing out on one taxpayer’s loot, even the state’s wealthiest resident, would amount to a “rounding error” in a state with a $46.5 billion budget, said Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax & Budget Accountability. Carol Portman, president of the Taxpayers' Federation agreed, saying “that’s real money, but it’s not devastating.”

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June 22, 2022WTTW Chicago Tonight

Video: Jesse Sharkey, the outgoing president of the Chicago Teachers Union; Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability; and Laurence Msall, president of The Civic Federation join “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the Chicago Public Schools budget for the coming year.   (Produced by Jennifer Cotto)

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May 24, 2022The Daily Herald

Since Illinois sportsbooks began taking bets in March 2020, gamblers have lost more than $812 million wagering on various games, matches, tournaments and races. Ralph Martire, executive director of the bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, said there are other risks to state budgets when legislatures allow more gambling opportunities such as sports wagering.

 

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May 20, 2022The Daily Herald

Ralph Martire’s column in the Daily Herald highlights the national teach shortage caused in large part by inadequate pay.

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May 10, 2022

The Schaumburg Township District Library hosted an Illinois Public Pension discussion on May 10, 2022.  Panel members included Carol Portman of the Taxpayer's Federation of Illinois as the moderator, Adam Schuster of Illinois Policy Institute, and Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.

 

 

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March 20, 2022Chicago Sun-Times

Tens of thousand of Illinois children sank into poverty after monthly federal child tax credit payments ended. With inflation squeezing Illinois families, the General Assembly should take action. So should Congress.

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February 13, 2022The News Gazette

Ralph Martire’s February column summarizes Governor Pritzker's proposed budget plan and from a fiscal responsibility standpoint there’s much to like in what the governor put on the table, starting with how he proposes to use the unexpected on-budget surplus that’s materialized in the current

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February 11, 2022State Journal Register

Ralph Martire summarizes Governor Pritzker's proposed budget plan and from a fiscal responsibility standpoint there’s much to like in what the governor put on the table, starting with how he proposes to use the unexpected on-budget surplus that’s materialized in the current fiscal year.

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