Wow, finally a lame-brained measure proposed by Springfield democrats that got crushed before it got started. Yesterday, the House defeated a proposal that would have doubled the state income tax from 3% to 6% for those making over $250,000/yr. While that would have affected only about 107,000 Illinois taxpayers, I understand about 45,000 of them are located in Cook County. Wonder if that had anything to do with it. Fact is, a low, flat tax is about the only pro-business attribute of Illinois' economic environment that is left. Leave it to some Dems to try to tax us to death regardless. Maybe the next move will be for border counties to start seceding to Wisconsin. Heck, we'll even take Palatine with us if they want to come.
House GOP Leader Tom Cross said it best: "What are we doing? 'So, here's $3 billion, Gov. Blagojevich's administration. Go do whatever you want with it?' … Wait a minute," Cross said.
Let's face it folks, on balance, Springfield is broken. We look to be headed for more three-way battles between the Gov., Senate President Emil Jones, and House Speaker Michael Madigan. And, a poll released yesterday shows Governor Rod Blagojevich's approval rating at a miserable 13% (h/t: Capitol Fax Blog). One of the major GOP strategies this fall will be to tie every state legislator into the nuttiness in Springfield, and paint them as Blago's best friend. Think it will work? Consider this a state legislature (madhouse) open thread.
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13 comments:
TA:
Tell us which Suburbab Dems backed this!
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/95/house/09500HC0042_04102008_003000A.pdf
It's available on the ILGA website.
Try this link instead (same page as posted above):
http://tinyurl.com/5kjm9l
I agree the Legislature is broken--that's why I'm running to unseat Karen May in the 58th District. I think some of what is going on here is pure "silly-season" politics.
Just look at some of the recent legislation the Dems have sponsored in the last few weeks. You've got this tax hike bill, the school income tax swap bill, etc.
I believe what Madigan is doing is letting some of these far-left plans go to a vote so some of his Democrats in suburban areas with Republican challengers can also vote NO and therefore be able to say I broke with Madigan and the leadership on these issues and I "stand up" for suburban values. These bills are so far out there it's not even funny. Madigan is smart--he knows what he is doing and this is being done to provide cover for Karen May, Elaine Nekritz, Kathy Ryg and the like.
Good analysis, Tim, thanks. And it's only the start of the silly season. Meanwhile, important bills like ethics reform languish in the Senate after sailing out of the House, and we're no doubt doomed to another costly and needless overtime session.
TA:
No links - just tell us the names of the suburban dems that backed this.
Apr 10, 2008
52 YEAS 60 NAYS 0 PRESENT
Y Acevedo Y Dugan N Krause N Ramey
Y Arroyo Y Dunkin Y Lang N Reboletti
N Bassi NV Dunn N Leitch N Reis
N Beaubien N Durkin E Lindner N Reitz
Y Beiser N Eddy Y Lyons Y Riley
N Bellock Y Feigenholtz N Mathias Y Rita
Y Berrios Y Flider N Mautino N Rose
N Biggins Y Flowers N May N Ryg
N Black Y Ford N McAuliffe N Sacia
Y Boland N Fortner N McCarthy N Saviano
N Bost N Franks Y McGuire N Schmitz
Y Bradley,John Y Fritchey Y Mendoza N Schock
Y Bradley,Richard Y Froehlich N Meyer Y Scully
E Brady Y Golar Y Miller Y Smith
N Brauer Y Gordon N Mitchell,Bill N Sommer
N Brosnahan Y Graham N Mitchell,Jerry Y Soto
Y Burke N Granberg N Moffitt N Stephens
Y Chapa LaVia E Hamos Y Molaro N Sullivan
N Coladipietro N Hannig N Mulligan N Tracy
N Cole Y Harris N Munson N Tryon
Y Collins N Hassert N Myers Y Turner
Y Colvin Y Hernandez N Nekritz Y Verschoore
N Coulson N Hoffman N Osmond N Wait
Y Crespo Y Holbrook Y Osterman E Washington
N Cross Y Howard Y Patterson E Watson
N Cultra Y Jakobsson N Phelps N Winters
Y Currie Y Jefferies N Pihos Y Yarbrough
Y D'Amico Y Jefferson N Poe Y Younge
Y Davis,Monique N Joyce N Pritchard Y Mr. Speaker
Y Davis,William N Kosel
E - Denotes Excused Absence
TA,
Why have we had no update from your inside reporter in Seals' class? Did he stop teaching already?
Anon 11:05, I have been trying to coax a report of out SealTracker, our cub reporter, but I think s/he has had a busy week. I am hopeful to get the report on the last class before they have another one this Tuesday.
TA:
You should talk about Obama's condescending remarks.
What ever happened to State Rep. Kathy Ryg's bill to allow licenses for illegal immigrants? She was a chief sponsor of the legislation, from right here in Lake County? I'm sure she is out and about talking to her constituents to promote the briliant propossal. I wonder why the press hasn't picked up on it?
TA:
In Obama world, its Sunday and I am so bitter that I am going to church.
In the real world, we cannot let that condescending elitist be President.
All the Sunday talk shows have been doing LOTS of talking about Obama's elitism. Even those who support him acknowledge that this is a bad mis-step on his part and will not go away lightly. Nor should it. It rather mirrors one of the more idiotic comments made by Michelle Obama many months ago in Iowa when she talked about the "enormous cost" she and her husband need to shoulder to educate their children in a private school in Chicago. Hello! These folks ARE out of touch with mainstream America, they are not ins sync with why we go to Church or even why some actually enjoy hunting. With each passing day, with each unscripted remark, we know more and more about our junior Senator. Ugh. Keep on talking, Mr. Obama!
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