A conversation on race and politics featuring Roosevelt University Rubloff Professor and CTBA Executive Director Ralph Martire and Illinois State Senator Toi Hutchinson. This program was recorded by Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV).

Too often, major policy initiatives get framed as "either-or" propositions. This is understandable, given how politically driven the legislative process is. Portraying a potential reform as a stark choice between doing what's right, or supporting an alternative that's wrong, is a great way to instill party discipline and gain political advantage. It also ignores the reality that in most complex policy areas, following best practices usually incorporates more of a "both-and" approach, than the politically favored "either-or." A tax systems should incorporate revenue sources that promote both: tax fairness, by responding to ability to pay; and fiscal stability, by ensuring revenues don't fall too precipitously during poor economic cycles.  This isn't a cause of "either-or," but rather "both-and."

Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation and Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability joined Newsviews this week.

A guest post from Illinois PIRG quotes Ralph Martire on the importance of a rational economic base for revenue in support of a new PIRG report on corporate tax loopholes.