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* House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s response to the governor’s budget address earlier this week…
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.
* That’s pretty funny. On November 23rd of last year, two members of Durkin’s leadership team proposed a one-time tax relief plan. From Center Square’s coverage…
“We may not be able to address at the state level the root causes of inflation, we can and we think it is our responsibility to provide relief,” [Assistant Republican Leader Avery Bourne] said. “And that’s why today we’re proposing inflation tax relief for Illinois families.”
State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, wants to give up to $400 of tax credits to taxpayers under certain income thresholds.
Single tax filers up to $75,000 would get $200 back, joint filers up to $150,000 would get $400 and head of household filers up to $112,500 in income to get $200.
“Four hundred dollars won’t make all the problems go away, but it could have a positive impact,” Demmer said. “It could be an extra week or two of groceries, it could be an extra few utility bills, it could be the difference between being able to buy new shoes or winter coats for your kids.”
To pay for the $1.4 billion plan, Demmer suggested reprioritizing state spending to be offset by some of the $8 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
* Deputy Republican Leader Demmer was asked at that press conference if the tax break was temporary or permanent…
We’re proposing it today as a one-time tax credit to address some of the acute problems that we’re seeing in family budgets today.
Leader Demmer said he’d consider making it permanent, “but what we’re focused on right now is delivering relief as quickly as we can and I think this is one of the ways to do it.” He said the idea was to implement it in the current fiscal year.
* Demmer also said that he and Bourne fully understood that their plan wouldn’t solve the problems caused by inflation, but it would help…
This would be just a small token of what we can do to provide relief for taxpayers. $400 won’t make all the problems go away. But it could have a positive impact to be an extra week or two of groceries. It could be an extra few utility bills. It could be the difference between being able to buy new shoes or a new winter coat for your kids
* At the time the HGOP plan was announced, the governor’s office didn’t directly comment on its substance (likely because they were developing their own $1 billion tax cut plan which was unveiled this week), but the governor’s press secretary did unleash a full-on snark bomb…
For the entirety of the pandemic Republicans have refused to engage on meaningful solutions aimed at helping working families deal with the resulting economic challenges. While Republicans now try and weigh in 18 months too late, this administration is hard at work putting billions of dollars of rental and mortgage assistance, small business grants, and utility assistance into the hands of working families, all of which passed without help from the GOP caucuses.
Adding to the irony is the fact that Republicans staunchly opposed the fair tax which would have provided tax relief to 97 percent of Illinoisans. Since Republicans in Illinois now support providing direct relief for the costs that are weighing on working families, we look forward to their support of President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and would urge them to share their views on this with their counterparts in Washington.
* So, now what? Maybe everyone could swallow their mutual disdain and sheathe their campaign swords long enough to put together a one-year tax cut plan to help the people of Illinois? Wouldn’t that be great?
…Adding… I should’ve noted that while Richard Irvin’s running mate Avery Bourne proposed a temporary one-year tax break paid for with pandemic relief, Irvin has been saying since the budget address that a one-year tax break based on temporarily increased revenues is an “election-year gimmick” and has said “It’s almost like he’s looking to buy votes.” I’m now curious what he thinks of his running-mate’s proposal.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:33 am
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But Kenny Griffin won’t allow it!
Comment by Long year Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:36 am
=Wouldn’t that be great?=
I enjoy hopeful Rich on a cold winter’s day.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:38 am
This is an easy thing… (if it were all that easy… I know, I know)
The GOP ask for 2 slam dunk bipartisan asks that the governor will *include* as a bipartisan olive branch… then the GOP votes Green on the budget, claims a small piece as their own to things… and we all move on?
Make the Guv state that these two things are good ideas, good governing, and all sides claim victory.
Plus…
===… put together a one-year tax cut plan to help the people of Illinois? Wouldn’t that be great?===
… that could actually *be* a thing… and good for Illinois too.
Helps Bourne, helps Demmer… helps many, covers many a sin… plus everyone claims the good the budget gives.
“I voted for that”
This is not that difficult. (Welp, read above parentheses)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:42 am
=== Wouldn’t that be great? ===
Are you new here?
Comment by Leap Day William Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:45 am
What do you do when one party’s policy goals seem indistinguishable from “defeat the other party by intentional obstruction”?
It would be so easy for the ILGOP to say “Pritzker won’t admit it, but we were correct all along” and shout it from the rooftops. But they are so hard wired to not admit anything positive about the other side, that to do so becomes an attack ad in their primaries.
Comment by Homebody Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:45 am
It’s ok if we propose a tax cut, but not ok if you propose one.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:47 am
=What do you do when one party’s policy goals seem indistinguishable from “defeat the other party by intentional obstruction”?=
This is why they are always yelling at the clouds, because they can’t even obstruct right now. They are about as irrelevant as a political party has ever been.
Evidenced by a slate of gubernatorial candidates that make the gang who can’t shoot straight look like marksman. One is a socialist and tax graber that thinks he isn’t, then you have stolen valor, then the new tough guy candidate looks to his handlers for answers or runs away from a softball interview questions that were totally predictable. He can’t even handle words (banned punctuation)
I mean seriously, this could be a very inexpensive election for Pritzker.
And the ILGOP has the chutzpah to name call when the governor is doing the same thing they wanted to do. They are making the DPI look like they have their act together. It would seem they cannot make it easier, but I am sure this crew will find a way.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:53 am
When is Jim Durkin going to term limit himself?
Comment by Real Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:53 am
Jim Durkin, showing up on pay day with a mask and a gun.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:55 am
==It’s ok if we propose a tax cut, but not ok if you propose one.==
You don’t understand. Ours is relief…yours is a gimmick. /S
Comment by Jocko Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:01 am
hey GOP. devise a formula to use the excess revenues to offset property taxes.
Comment by Blue Dog Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:02 am
There is a bit of credibility gap when two years prior you call for a $3b tax hike to stabilize the government.
Comment by Dirksen Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:08 am
===There is a bit of credibility gap when two years prior===
That’s ridiculous spin. Did anyone project state revenues would be this high three years ago, pre-pandemic? Did you?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:09 am
===an extra few utility bills===
I would like to see Deputy Minority Leader Demmer’s utility bills so I can understand why he thinks $200 would be an “extra few utility bills.”
$200 is 1/600th of what a person earning $120,000 makes and for most households included it wouldn’t even be a noticeable amount.
===This would be just a small token of what we can do to provide relief for taxpayers.===
This makes it pretty clear the whole basis for providing their “tax cut” was to be able to claim that they could provide even more tax cuts if they were elected.
We have seen how horrific the consequences are of GOP’s constant dedication to under funding our state government at the expense of our public institutions.
They seek to use $200 or $400 as a basis for their campaign dedicated to lying to taxpayers about what the State of Illinois’ fiscal condition really is.
At least Darren Bailey knows how important it is to raise taxes even though he lies about it. The GOP strategy has been and will continue to be to lie to voters about what kind of “tax relief” they can provide. Bruce Rauner was a failure because Bruce Rauner’s polices failed.
They should stop advancing Bruce Rauner’s policies.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:10 am
A lot of good Republican ideas end up in Democratic proposals, and vice versa. And of course, many ideas and ideals are shared across the aisle. That’s how governing actually happens.
Then comes the fight over who gets to look best to the public, which creates alternate realities.
Comment by walker Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:16 am
==They should stop advancing Bruce Rauner’s policies. ==
Why? Different horses, sure, but the same brain trust. They don’t want to change.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:23 am
===A lot of good Republican ideas end up in Democratic proposals, and vice versa.===
I think it is important to note how Republican legislators behave when they have the majority in a chamber or when a Republican is elected to an executive branch. We shouldn’t pretend like a GOP controlled legislative chamber or a GOP controlled executive branch would govern with an inclusive approach to decent policy ideas like the Democrats do.
The basis for my opinion comes from watching how the Republicans legislate and govern in states that they do control and from examining some of the first actions taken by newly elected Republicans in the state of Virginia. We cannot persist with a centrist view of what is happening in our country when one of our mainstream political parties is discussing banning books attempting to enact policies that would allow parents to sue individual teachers for attempting to educate their children.
Look at the rhetoric being put forward by our aspirant GOP nominees and by congressional candidates in this state. It is in lock step with the notion of banning certain subjects from history and science courses and making it impossible for public school teachers to educate on “controversial” topics like the Holocaust, Slavery, or Jim Crow in the United States.
While you may not be technically wrong, I think you should update your talking point. Don’t let your concern for an “alternate reality” prevent you from seeing the reality you live in today where the GOP is actively enacting laws to make it harder for non-whites to vote while simultaneously making it illegal to teach about racism in the United States.
I don’t think when it happened is very important, but the GOP is no longer interested in governing well, at least not governing well for a democratic society.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:30 am
My hackles raise up every time some politician using language like Demmer did- “This would be just a small token of what we can do to provide relief for taxpayers. $400 won’t make all the problems go away. But it could have a positive impact to be an extra week or two of groceries. It could be an extra few utility bills. It could be the difference between being able to buy new shoes or a new winter coat for your kids…”
It’s a small token all right. At the $400 top that’s about $1.10 (rounded) per day for a year. For a family of four, that’s 28 cents (again rounded) per person. And, I realize that there are many other programs that are out there to truly help those that need a hand up in their lives. Just wanted to put this proposal in perspective. It’s a feel good for the proposer only who cannot or will not actually work toward true tax relief proposals.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:33 am
That’s an election year gimmick, you know the promises made it’s almost like he looking to buy votes”
Lol, the irony of someone positioning himself for big Griffin bucks and Raunerizing (evadin’ interview questions and abruptly leavin’) insinuating the governor is trying to buy votes.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:33 am
The sole remaining Republican political and governing philosophy is “Cut taxes for the rich and oppose Democrats.”
Period.
And the truth of that fact grows more apparent every day.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:40 am
We could have a replay of Bush v Gore 2000, instead of dueling “Lock Boxes” we could have dueling tax cuts.
Comment by Gordon Willis Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:43 am
The current leadership of the Republican party has two firm rules: 1) never admit fault and 2) never concede that the opponent has any credibility.
As long as they maintain this approach, the country will be in a state of angst and turmoil.
Comment by someonehastosayit Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:52 am
==I’m now curious what he thinks of his running-mate’s proposal.==
Ask that and he’ll call in the national guard.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:57 am
It’s ridiculous to see Demmer and Bourne trying to buy votes with election year gimmicks. Shameful sn/
Comment by Tomorrow is yesterday Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 12:19 pm
dueling tax cuts. I like.
Comment by Blue Dog Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 1:37 pm
Wants to fix the flat tax, tricks are for kids
Comment by Rabid Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 1:46 pm
==I’m now curious what he thinks of his running-mate’s proposal.==.
Maybe he’ll go back on Flannery fired up?
Comment by low level Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 1:50 pm
“it’s almost like he looking to buy votes”
Now that’s some chutzpah… by the shovel full.
Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:26 pm
Great reporting Rich, I agree.
Has anyone asked Griffin what he thinks?
Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:54 pm
How can anyone say with a straight face that we have a budget surplus?
Comment by May Soon Be Required Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:39 pm
Proposing something you don’t have the votes to pass and being unwilling to work with others to get those votes seems awfully gimmicky.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:45 pm