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* ILGOP…
There is an adage in politics that says the worse the internal poll numbers are, the more gimmicky a candidate’s campaign proposals become. For Governor JB Pritzker, 2022 is shaping up to be a bad year for his electoral hopes as crime, corruption, and high taxes continue running roughshod over Illinois families.
He needs a pick-me-up and this year’s joint budget and State of the State address is his latest attempt at distracting Illinoisans from his disastrous leadership and well documented record of asking us to pay more for a state government that doesn’t work.
Despite today’s election year gimmicks, Pritzker has a consistent record of supporting tax hikes. Sometimes he was successful in enacting them, and sometimes he was not. Let’s check the tape:
• Pritzker spent $58 million of his own money to try and convince Illinoisans to change the state constitution allowing for a massive income tax hike and the ability for Springfield lawmakers to increase middle class taxes whenever they want. Luckily, Illinois families said no to the largest tax hike in state history.
• Failing to pass the largest tax hike in Illinois history, Pritzker then turned to small businesses, increasing taxes by over $600 million on job creators across the state.
• When the federal bailout disappears and Pritzker’s out-of-control spending sends us even deeper into debt, Pritzker’s already telegraphed what he will do next: raise the income tax by 20%.“Pritzker has never once pursued true property tax relief for Illinois families despite billions of dollars in federal bailout money flowing to our state, complete Democrat control at the capitol, and three years to get it done,” said ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy. “And now he has the audacity to trot out these campaign gimmicks that pale in comparison to the $5.2 billion in tax and fee hikes he has already imposed on us? Pritzker is a proven tax-hiker, and that’s why we need a Governor who will provide permanent property tax relief, spend within our means, and lower taxes.”
Most of those tax and fee hikes were approved in 2019 and included Republican votes. He didn’t impose anything.
…Adding… Gary Rabine sent out this press release 18 minutes before the governor was set to start speaking…
“Today we witnessed how out of touch our billionaire Governor, JB Pritzker, is with the people of Illinois. In his State of the State/Budget address, he described the State of Illinois in terms that only someone who spends his days in the cocoon of a North-side mansion or private jet could use.”
“JB Pritzker has not done one thing to improve the fundamental fiscal trajectory of the state. Biden paid off JB’s Illinois credit cards last year, but we are still in a fiscal death spiral. A one-time bailout from the federal government does not equate with sound fiscal management. Millions of dollars spent on TV and digital ads doesn’t turn fantasy into reality either.”
“The truth is that Illinois, outside of the Astor Street Mansion, is far different than what JB described. Chicago and its suburbs are the crime capitols of the country. Our unfunded public pension liability is at $130 billion – the worst in the nation. Our state has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs due to JB’s heavy handed, unilateral decision to shut down the state’s economy. We are the highest taxed state in the country and more people left Illinois in the last decade than any other state.”
“All might be well with the wine and cheese crowd but for the rest of us, it’s time for a new direction in Illinois.”
…Adding… Richard Irvin…
“It is no surprise that the Tax-Hiker-In-Chief is attempting to rewrite history today to mislead Illinois voters in an election year with gimmicks that rely on a disappearing federal bailout. This is the same governor who pushed for the largest tax hike in our state’s history on Illinois families and businesses, and we know he plans to raise billions more in taxes when the federal money runs out. The only way to stop Pritzker’s permanent tax hike campaign is at the ballot box in November.”
…Adding… House GOP Leader Durkin…
“The governor’s budget address is always a wish-list, and this year it’s clear that the governor wishes to be reelected. The budget laid out by Governor Pritzker today is packed with gimmicks and one-time tricks, but no structural reforms. The people of Illinois deserve a governor who will be honest and work to actually fix things like property taxes and out-of-control crime.”
* Politico…
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will be listening for comments on Covid relief: “The surge we had in December and January reminds us that we’re still in the midst of a global pandemic and there’s more relief needed, and so I’m looking forward to hearing the governor’s ideas on that,” Welch said in an interview.
Senate President Don Harmon hopes to hear Pritzker “make a serious investment in public safety. in building up the ranks of our state police, and ensuring local governments have the resources to add and train local police officers and give them the equipment that they need.”
Republicans aren’t wowed by Pritzker’s plan for temporary tax cuts and property tax rebates, seeing it as an election-year gimmick.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, who represents part of southern Illinois, hopes the governor might defend what rights parents have to make decisions about their child’s health and having their kids vaccinated. “Parents need more rights and respect than what they get,” he told Playbook.
And in a statement, Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie said instead of “short-term, one-time relief,” what Illinois families “really need are long-lasting solutions that make it affordable to live here.”
* Speaking of the budget…
Snow storm stiff arm: Pritzker to deliver State of State from Old State Capitol after House cancels session
[…] Pritzker’s closest aides scrambled to find a backup venue after a severe snow storm forecast forced the House and Senate to send their members home and cancel the week of scheduled legislative session. Without an invitation from the House, the governor had no grand stage to deliver his speech, and state law required him to deliver his budget address on the first Wednesday in February this year.
Um, no. Almost immediately after the decision to cancel session was made by the three Democratic leaders (including the governor) Monday evening, the governor’s people were telling me they wanted Pritzker to give his State of the State/budget address at the Old State Capitol. They only “scrambled” because they were unsure at first if the venue would be available. But the place was ideal for them because, unlike the House chamber, the Old State Capitol has a smallish chamber and they envisioned a smallish audience in attendance (including, as it now turns out, GOMB staffers who’ve never personally witnessed a budget address before, which is pretty cool). Also, state law only requires the governor to submit his budget plan to the General Assembly. He could’ve just sent them the text of his speech and his proposed legislation.
* But, just to be on the safe side, I reached out to House Speaker Chris Welch’s spokesperson Jaclyn Driscoll for comment…
We never disinvited the governor. And I am confident in saying we would have worked with him if he wanted to deliver the speech in the chamber. There were so many ideas discussed [Monday], but it came down to what the Governor wanted to do. The Speaker is fairly close with the Governor and he’s not trying to ’stiff arm’ him.
Driscoll added later that the House has no rules which would’ve prohibited the governor from using the House chamber for his address.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:38 am
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==There is an adage in politics that says the worse the internal poll numbers are, the more gimmicky a candidate’s campaign proposals become.==
I’ve never heard this adage, and I reason to believe that Pritzker’s internals aren’t really too bad.
I would also suggest that when you’re whining about internal polls and gimmicks, you’re not really hitting any voters where they live. But I suppose this isn’t aimed at any actual persuadable voter.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:43 am
“For Governor JB Pritzker, 2022 is shaping up to be a bad year for his electoral hopes as crime, corruption, and high taxes continue running roughshod over Illinois families”
The eternal message of the GOP, pandering to the ancient fears of its aging and shrinking base. It really is not a new day in Illinois, as far as the ILGOP is concerned.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:48 am
If all you play to is old angry white rural folks… anytime nuance… like ha ing to vote against… tax breaks… more funding… lower debt…
… even the in-law uncle will tune you out
Gonna be red on this budget?
Good luck with that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:49 am
=“Parents need more rights and respect than what they get,”=
No Blaine, your pandering to stupidity is unraveling one of the great equalizers, public education.
‘Parents’ have all the rights they need, what needs to happen is that professional educators and healthcare professionals be respected and get to the job they are trained to do.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:53 am
There’s also an old adage in politics that when you’re opponent is unwilling to speak he has nothing to say.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:54 am
Looking forward to reading the Republican counterproposal to the budget. Though they may be struggling with the writing process if Tracy can’t find the adjective “Democratic” and Rabine mixed up capitol and capital. I guess the misspellings make the anger seem less kayfabe, though.
Comment by vern Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:58 am
The “old adage” is really just a GOPie policy. It also helps you forget they still have no answers for any question that begins Former President Donald J. Trumps says……”
Hce aa great afternoon
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:01 pm
It’s very nice that GOMB staff will be present for the Gov’s address - somebody on his staff put on their thinking/humanity cap.
Comment by dbk Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:02 pm
=== It also helps you forget they still have no answers for any question that begins Former President Donald J. Trumps says……”===
And… “How do you feel about the abortion cases being heard?”
Maybe. Maybe, but lots of deflection?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:07 pm
This is probably most positive budget a governor has presented in a couple of decades. The GOP is scrambling for talking points…so much so they made up a political adage.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:09 pm
How do you qualify for the “wine and cheese crowd”?
Comment by Brocco Bry Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:10 pm
“One governor pretended to sell the JTC twice”
LOL, I wonder who that was?
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:27 pm
=== He didn’t impose anything. ===
It’s impolite to disrupt their phony baloney narrative with facts.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:34 pm
The GOP is struggling to find something bad to say. I saw IPI sent out a missive this morning about why the $1 billion in tax cuts are bad. Say what? This is very entertaining.
Comment by New Day Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:35 pm
This section on crime is another example of why it’s so hard to unseat an incumbent.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 12:36 pm
===“Parents need more rights and respect than what they get,”===
Parents do not own their children. I am starting to think that we should be asking legislators a yes or no question about whether or not they think parents own their children.
It is fascinating to see the argument of “states rights” as a justification for racism transition to “parents rights” as a further justification of racism.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 1:01 pm
Republicans Angry
And in other news, water is wet.
Aren’t republicans always angry about someone or something?
Comment by Steve Polite Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 1:11 pm
The ILGOPs have painted themselves into a tight little corner with this “Illinois is horrible” angry rhetoric.
The Governor just used a very good speech to draw a unmistakeable contrast with that vision. Pritzker was a sunny optimist and I think he’s giving the opposition no where else to go but down.
I’m sure they’re up for it though. They’ve been racing to the bottom for years now. Every time I think they can’t sink any lower, they surprise me. I’m starting to think there is no bottom.
“Spelunking for misery” was a great line by the way.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 1:18 pm
Last time we were told we need “structural reforms,” the state was damaged on purpose by Rauner and his supporters.
“packed with gimmicks and one-time tricks”
That’s why the ILGOP can’t be taken seriously, screaming for fiscal responsibility and lower taxes but saying it’s gimmicky when it actually could happen. Will the ILGOP vote for tax breaks plus fiscal responsibility and support the Pritzker budget? Or will the ILGOP vote against tax cuts, again?
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 1:20 pm
==Parents need more rights and respect than what they get==
Parents have a lot of rights. One right no parent should have is to create his or her personal anarchy in the school system.
Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 1:52 pm
So Jim Durkin is looking for “structural reforms.” The last time I heard that term bandied about it was by the former Governor and his financial backers. Are those the days that Durkin and Irvin long for? If so, count me out.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 2:50 pm
So the ILGOP talks tax cuts and spending money on law enforcement until the Pritzker actually does it.
Talkabout cognitive dissonance, how in the world does any thinking person take the ILGOP seriously?
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 2:51 pm
==“Spelunking for misery” was a great line by the way. ==
It’s going to pay dividends for the Gov. Anytime some Republican whines about “gimmicks” and “structural reforms”, they’re gonna get hit with “spelunking for misery”.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 3:00 pm
While I will agree that parents have rights I feel it also important to point out that taxpayers who don’t have children in the schools also have rights. We are all paying the freight, after all.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 3:16 pm
One of the most impactful structural reforms the state needed was defeated by GOP misinformation and money from wealthy donors.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 3:24 pm
==One of the most impactful structural reforms the state needed was defeated by GOP misinformation and money from wealthy donors. ==
no, because you see, whenever a Republican says “structural reforms” what they mean is “pay cuts”.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 3:30 pm
“Parents do not own their children”…Narcissistic parents believe they do…absolutely.
Children are akin to appendages to the persons suffering from narcissism…invariably.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 3:45 pm
=== Republicans Angry ===
It’s a Hulk joke, right? I love it.
“Durkin Smash.”
Republicans are angry because their stated objective for the last 8 years has been to pit taxpayers, service providers and unions against one another, in order to try to drive a wedge between Democrats and unions, which they can then somehow convert into electoral wins.
What could ever possibly be more gimmicky than the Rauner/Griffin/Durkin budget that literally said “Working on a Grand Bargain - $500M”.
Please, spare me the bloviating lectures from the Rauner-Griffin Crew. The Rauner budgets weren’t even credible enough to be gimmicks, pure unicorn taxes and faerie dust revenue.
The only improvement I would offer JB is just go ahead and get rid of the local grocery tax forever. Who needs it? The ungrateful Republican mayors across Illinois?
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 4:33 pm