Tax proposal shifting under Gov. Pritzker

Posted on May 21, 2019
Illinois Capitol
Andrew Nelms of Americans for Prosperity in Illinois says a tax proposal is shifting under Gov. Pritzker. (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The graduated income tax proposal – a constitutional amendment that would be decided by voters in 2020 – has passed a House committee. It now only needs a three-fifths vote of the House to get to the ballot.

State Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Norridge), presenting the amendment in committee Monday, reminded Republicans of how things were recently: “We had a governor who proposed trying to lower our taxes through a series of what I would call nothing less than heartless, draconian cuts that the vast majority of people in your caucus would not support, and yet he could not get within $3 billion of proposing a balanced budget.”

Andrew Nelms of Americans for Prosperity in Illinois said Gov. Pritzker already is shifting: “He’s not even suggesting that 97 percent would pay less. Now, it’s 97 percent would pay the same, so right out of the gate, we are talking about people paying the same, rather than less.”

SJRCA 1 has passed the House Revenue Committee.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…