Gov. Quinn’s Tax Proposal Is Sure to Drive out of Illinois the Very People and Businesses We Need to Help Rebuild Our Economy
Chicago Young Republicans React to the Proposed Income Tax Increase
Chicago, IL – On March 10, 2010 Governor Pat Quinn unveiled the proposed Illinois budget to the General Assembly.
In his address, Governor Quinn began by discussing the dire economic climate in the state. But what the Governor failed to mention were the reasons. As anyone who is paying any attention realizes, the dire economic climate is a direct product of the failed Democrat leadership in Springfield, both in the General Assembly and in the Executive Mansion.
Governor Quinn then offered a false choice: Either the General Assembly pass his proposal of a one-percent income tax increase or the most vulnerable of Illinoisans should be prepared for cuts to their programs. As if no other alternatives existed. As Jeremy Rose, President of Chicago Young Republicans (CYRs) succinctly explained, “these scare tactics by our Governor are just immoral.” Rose continued, “we believe in fiscal conservatism and the need to tighten our belt. But claiming that if we do not increase the income tax, we will be forced to first cut social and education programs is just wrong.” A proper solution lies in the third option, which Governor Quinn failed to offer, explained Rose. “We need an evaluation of all the bloated spending going on in Springfield, and make cuts across the board, not just to the vulnerable. Further, an income tax increase will only drive more people out of our state, creating less revenue.”
The economy of Illinois is dire, indeed. Between our income, sales, and property taxes, Chicagoans, for example, already are subjected to the highest taxes in the country. Sadly, Governor Quinn is unwilling to entertain serious reform, instead falling back on the Democrats’ favorite—tax, tax, tax. The CYRs believe that this latest income tax increase proposal will only make our State less attractive to individuals and corporations that were looking to come to Illinois to help rebuild our economy. False choices are no substitute for sound economic policy.
