In Rockford, cannabis tax revenues become a flashpoint in budget and racial equity debate

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In 2024, the city of Rockford publicly announced that $500,000 would be invested in this initiative. This commitment mattered. It signaled a willingness to acknowledge past harms and invest in a future where BIPO communities could thrive. I do not believe that there needs to be a vote tonight because I honestly don't believe the parameters of this money being situated as an all or nothing. I don't believe that it has to be that.

Please, anyone here, name an opportunity that has been structured and targeted to help black and brown people in Rockford. Name something else outside of the regrow grant. Please, anyone. >> I understand helping to balance this budget. However, there is still a purpose for these funds and I think that every single penny of them should be considered to go back into this.

>> We're actually engaging in discussion on the council floor in drafting an amendment. That's I as far as I know that is all [clears throat] out of order. I think we are way out of order. So they I I don't believe we should recess. I think the amendment can be brought at any time somewhere else or an ordinance.

But again, the reason for the rules that we have established is exactly what's happening now. It's a little bit chaotic. we can go down this new road of of every week coming in here and someone asking for a recess to allow on the-fly amendment on on any given topic. Uh which really just makes us all look, you know, silly. >> We are saving every resident $325 on their property taxes, especially those median income earners who spend 9 to 14% of their income on uh their local taxes.

It allows every child in our community to go to college. Allows us to cover the cost of all their lead service lines. Allows us to provide every child a free bus ride. Anyone who wants to improve themselves with education.