Subscribe to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here     Contact Rich Miller
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here. Subscriptions are $350 per year. To advertise on the Capitol Fax Blog, please click here.
Quinn, Hynes, Giannoulias and Meeks all upset at guv’s tax plan *** Updated x1 ***

Thursday, Mar 22, 2007

As I told you yesterday, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn has come out in opposition to the governor’s gross receipts tax on business. There’s more today

Quinn said he cannot support the governor’s proposed gross receipts tax, a lynchpin of Blagojevich’s 2008 state spending plan, because it is “regressive,” unfairly targets the working class, and provides no tax relief.

“I really don’t think this is a fair approach,” Quinn said.

Instead, Quinn proposed a competing plan that would target untapped “corporate loopholes” that he said could generate as much as $2 billion a year to be split equally between schools, health insurance and tax relief.

“I’d hope we could go to Plan B, and come up with a tax fairness plan that incorporates some of the ideas I’ve expressed,” the lieutenant governor said during an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.

More from the AP

“The businesses pass it on. The ultimate consumer at the store suffers the burden,'’ [Quinn] said in a telephone interview. “The notion that everyday people will be exempt from this levy is not correct at all.'’

The Daily Herald has a bit of history

The debate creates the somewhat unusual situation of a governor and his running mate publicly feuding over tax policies, something not seen since the mid-1980s when then-Republican Gov. James Thompson pushed an income tax increase and his lieutenant governor, George Ryan, came out against it.


Phil Kadner
has the best lede…

Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn shouted that the governor of Illinois isn’t wearing any clothes.

And then ends his column this way…

So now we have two school funding reform plans.

The income tax plan and the gross receipts tax plan.

It’s looking more and more like the House will pass one version and the Senate another.

If that happens, the governor won’t have to sign or veto anything.

All of the state’s elected leaders will be able to claim they did something, when in fact they accomplished nothing.

That’s called political cover in the state capitol.

Quinn has chosen to expose the governor.

But the opposition didn’t come from just Pat Quinn. Comptroller Dan Hynes and Treasure Alexi Giannoulias both expressed strong reservations yesterday

Comptroller Dan Hynes and Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias say they’re concerned about the Democratic governor’s desire to tax nearly all business transactions in the state. Hynes also criticized one of Blagojevich’s proposed uses for the revenue - universal health insurance - saying the state needs to first fix problems with the existing Medicaid system.

The Blagojevich administration said the officials are reacting to pressure from the business community. […]

“I think there is some sense of a lack of fairness in our tax structure as relates to how much corporations or businesses pay versus the individual,” said Hynes, comptroller for the past eight years. “I don’t think it’s quite as dramatic or drastic as it’s being portrayed.” […]

“I’m concerned they’ll end up leaving the state or going out of business, frankly,” Giannoulias said. “I understand the governor’s desire to help the working class and middle-income people, but I think … businesses are only going to take a certain amount of hits before they start passing these things on to consumers.”

But, wait, there’s more. Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) is also not a happy man

In another development that could complicate passage of a state budget, a top leader of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus told the Sun-Times that his group will withhold support for a budget unless it has four full days to review its details prior to a vote.

“We don’t want a middle-of-the-night vote,” said Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago), joint chairman of the caucus.

Meeks had a lot more to say than that. Check out this audio clip, supplied by our good friends at Metro Networks. It’s pretty harsh and is a must-listen

Comptroller Hynes’ comments can be heard here…

Treasurer Giannoulias’ comments are here…

More…

* Blagojevich tax plan takes hits from both sides

“‘Lie’ is a strong word, but it’s a great mystery as to what happens over there,” [Hynes] said at a Statehouse news conference.

* Governor pushes “Tax Fairness”

Key Democrats oppose governor’s tax hike plan

*** UPDATE *** Here’s a snip from Quinn’s press conference today, supplied by Metro Networks…

- posted by Rich Miller


27 Comments
  1. - Councilman Sinnock Online - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 9:36 am:

    Illinois is officially a solid blue state. The Republicans have taken themselves out of the future electoral equation. The Dems have started to position themselves for a future primary against the Gov. Whoever wins the Democratic primaries will be the favorites in the General Elections. There is now a little less reason for the others to play nice with the Governor.


  2. - Just Wonderin' - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 9:50 am:

    So, it’s beginning to look as though the only ones in favor of GRT is GRod, Filan, and…Bill! LOL


  3. - Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:04 am:

    It’s hard to take the GRT plan seriously if Blagojevich didn’t obtain more support prior to going public.

    At best it looks like proposing something radical to facilitate passing something more moderate.

    At worst it looks like a political move so Blagojevich can endear himself to Lefty activists who want to implement universal health care and increase money available for schools.


  4. - Jim in Accounting - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:19 am:

    Has anyone asked Jack Lavin what he thinks? Should be interesting. “Opportunity Returns”, indeed.

    Perhaps they should change that to “Opportunity Returns, Gets Beaten With the Tax Stick, and Heads to Indiana.”


  5. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:22 am:

    What we are seeing is how a guy who knows how to campaign, but not govern, try to create policy.

    Even after four years, Blagojevich still hasn’t grown into his job - or even shown up to work.

    Once elected, most governors govern. Blagojevich hasn’t been interested in doing that. He likes campaigning.

    So he shows up with an Annual Budget Address with no government team to get his budget passed. He shows up instead with his inner circle of campaign cronies and newly cut TV ads and mailers, denouncing his perceived opposition and calling for “fairness”.

    He obviously spent more time coming up with a campaign strategy than a governing one.

    We can’t do this, people! We are not in a position to have a governor fail. In times like these, we have to have a winner, regardless of party. Blagojevich can’t do his job!

    It is so blantantly obvious his own party leaders are turning to one another to circumvent him after only four months into his second term.

    Blagojevich makes Dan Walker look like a genius, doesn’t he? This is not a good thing for anyone.


  6. - Siyotanka - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:46 am:

    Ok…so we get on with indicments…and the Lt. Gov. becomes Gov. We get a compromise (hopefully) through the Legislature…thanks to cooler heads…and Gov. Quinn looks like the Knight in Shining Armor…bye-bye…Rod


  7. - Dieter - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:46 am:

    Illinois will remain a blue state, unless an indictment changes things, just like it did with George Ryan.

    This GRT is foolish. Companies will re-locate or cut their employee base. How do you think the former employees will vote in the next election?


  8. - Levois - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:54 am:

    Hmmm, I wonder if the governor is going to waiver if he is going to insist that nothing else is on the table unless his tax fairness, health care and education plan is voted in the affirmitive?


  9. - leigh - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 11:05 am:

    Am I alone in being kind of shocked that the gov doesn’t really have the support of anyone except Jones? Sorry to reuse a tag line, but “what was he thinking?”


  10. - RMW Stanford - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 11:20 am:

    So are Quinn, Hynes, Giannoulias and Meeks all agents of big business and the Chamber of Commerce? Some how I doubt it, they just have enough common sense to see that this is bad for the state. For Democrat party the danger is if the Governor goes throe with his threat not to let anything else get done and there is a backlash against all Democrats


  11. - Tom - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 11:40 am:

    I think the GRT is just a ruse to get legislators and businesses behind HB750/SB750. With greater political cover Rod can back off his no income tax increase pledge.


  12. - Oops! - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 11:58 am:

    It’s about time somebody started to thinking clearly!

    Milarod: TICK! TICK! TICK!


  13. - Bill, of Goods - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 12:41 pm:

    These greedy people need to have a moment of silence and realize what our great Governor, praise his name, is actually doing for them.

    He is pushing for education, health care, and will tackle those evil guns next. Then we will be right for Kingdom and the second coming.

    Amen. I can’t wait.

    To those who doubt the wisdom of this, understand we are talking about the state here. Remember, the state is as God walking on the earth. Rod is just using the state government to do God’s work in preparing the Kingdom.

    Didn’t you learn in school that’s what this country was founded for? Yes, to do what God wants. But you didn’t learn that in school. That’s why Rod wants to fix education.

    We should also expand the moment of silence in schools to s couple of hours, ideally just after lunch. The pious can pray, the atheists can have a siesta and the teachers can get overtime.

    Like the book says, let the church roll on. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Governor.

    Amen and amen!!!!


  14. Pingback ArchPundit » Blog Archive » The Kid is All Right - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 1:31 pm:

    […] And today, he pushes back against the Governor’s really stupid idea. […]


  15. - Willowbrook - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 1:58 pm:

    Bill, of Goods - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 12:41 pm

    Does God support the corruption that is and surrounds Governor Blagojevich? I think not!


  16. - Decatur Dave - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 4:07 pm:

    Vanilla- This is truly LOL: Blagojevich makes Dan Walker look like a genius!!! You don’t hear Danny Boy’s name often anymore, but people forget he was considered the Worst Governor Ever. Now it appears he has some competition. Maybe Blago could walk across the state to promote Tax Fairness??


  17. - A Citizen - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 4:30 pm:

    A constant though subtle subtheme running through comments here since the GRT proposal is that it is so outrageous that the huge smokescreen it generates allows for a significant behind the scenes development of legislation to raise Sales and Income Taxes. That, in the closing hours, will race through both chambers and be a fete accompli before you know what hit you. Blago, with no alternative but to shut down state government for lack of a budget will be seen being perp walked into the Autopen chambers and pushing the On button. And SO against his every fiber he will reluctantly and apologetically bend to the will of the people as represented in their legislature. There you have it! NO leadership required, and mission accomplished.


  18. - Papa Legba - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 5:29 pm:

    The GRT did what Blago wanted it to do. It got him positive press with the common people.

    People on the street, the ones who don’t really follow these things, believe this has happened. The good things that is. You know, health care, more money for education, blah, blah.

    Rod now looks like a champion for the people for what he has *done* for the little people of Illinois, but this fantasy will never come to fruition.


  19. - Buck Naked - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 6:38 pm:

    Rich, what would a gross receipts tax meanto your business?


  20. - stateworker w/ MBA - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 7:59 pm:

    Not GRt related but yesterday we were deliveried brand new HON 2 shelf bookcases. Probably close to 100 in our area. Problem is none of the people actually doing the work want them.

    In order to fit into our cubicles we had to stack them on top of bookcases we already have. They stand a good foot taller than the partition and now we can not even see the person sitting in front of us.

    Today we get an email telling us that if we list items for sale on the bulletin board by the entrance to the building (seen only by employees) we can not use our work phone number because it is mis-use of state property and resources. Come on give me a break.

    Also if I email a friend who works in the building and ask a none work related question (Like - going to the gym tonight after work?) it is considered a mis-use of property and resources subject to discipline.

    Crazy man Crazy.


  21. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 8:17 pm:

    BN, the tax only hits gross receipts over a million dollars. I ain’t there yet. Far from it.


  22. - A Citizen - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 8:22 pm:

    Sounds like the OIEG is com’n to visit. Watch your arrival, departure, and break times and for sure triple check your travel voucher! The GOONS have arrived and are on a witch hunt. Good Luck


  23. - Proverb - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:19 pm:

    Meeks, you knew he was a snake when you took him in, silly. You should have run when you had the opportunity; whatever the result of that, it would have been better than what we have now. But you blew it, and really, what good are you to anyone but your congregation now?


  24. - mean people suck - Thursday, Mar 22, 07 @ 10:54 pm:

    Ever since Dawn Clark Netsch ran for governor the chattering classes have been moaning that the state is underfunded and needs more revenue to right structural imbalences. GRod wins big (all u whiners did see the vote totals didn’t u?) & then Stands up tall takes a breath and preposes a large tax increase. the tax has a very broad base and a relatively low rate (classic good tax policey) and now the Governor doesn’t have a friend in Springfield. Eden Martin where are u? several months ago on WTTW u took John Filan to task for not raising taxes!


  25. - Mark Stanley - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 6:28 am:

    Congratulations to Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, and Illinois State Treasurer Alex Ginannoulis, for publicly raising questions about the Governor’s current Business Tax Plan and the negative impact that it may have on poor people. I am upset that so many Minister’s that have reputations for being advocates for the least of God’s people who so aggressively support the Governors Business Tax plan without having any major forums or discussions with the people who may suffer from the result of current plan, the consumers.

    I am a longtime advocate for education funding, but at the same time there is currently too much talk about the positive influx of education funding, but not at the expense of poor people who may lose their jobs or the consumers from low and very low income communities on fixed incomes. It is a serious leadership mistake not to publicly discuss the fact that that no matter what tax loopholes that the tax plan covers, businesses will raise the price of their products that ultimately hit the consumers, and no one is making this poor constituency aware and prepared for the impact of what happens when prices for goods and services go up in poor neighborhoods. Without preparation, far too many poor people will be forced into the area of illegal economies trying to make ends meet. The Governors tax plan must be addressed to make sure that while we get new money for education, that it is not also creating more unemployment and even worse, directing more poor people at environments that will make them a part of the criminal justice system.

    The Black Leadership Development Institute, BLDI has been in contact with several activists and will be contacting a number of agencies and advocates for the poor and we will plan a poor people’s campaign as it relates to how the Governor’s Business Tax plan in its current form will negatively impact poor people. It’s hard to believe that the fears of the poor consumers that has already been publicly expressed have not been heard by the supportive ministers and the Governor’s various liaison’s to the poor communities. Well, I have heard them clearly and so have others and we will develop this poor peoples campaign to balance this current debate over the Governors Business Tax plan and the possible negative impacts on the poor consumers of this city and state. Business has always paid for their increases in taxes or operating expenses by passing it on to the consumers, and it will happen now. This poor people’s campaign will seek to lift up the fears of the poor and balance this current debate over this Business Tax proposal.

    Thursday, March 22, 2007

    Mark S. Allen
    Founder/President
    The Black Leadership Development Institute, BLDI
    www.bldi.pacnetsites.com
    773-776-8353 or direct 773-392-0165

    Associate Editor
    The South Street Journal Newspaper (55,000 Chicago weekly)
    773-373-7000


  26. - IveBeenThere - Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 6:36 pm:

    Quinn, the wannabe so bad it hurts, Hynes the perennial loser and the new kid………great folks to follow on this issue.


  27. - Mark Stanley - Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 8:13 pm:

    The record will reflect that I and other community leaders were on this poor people’s piece but did not get the media attention, so if these person got the matter before the public in a better way than we were able to do, then I’ll publicly commend that. Now the matter is being discussed at the grassroots level in my community that was not before, but it’s unfortunate that the Black leadership that used to be the advocates for the poor were already endoirsing the governors original plan.


TrackBack URI

Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


ON THE BLOG TODAY...
* Will Buzz save us from drowning or just add more water into the tank?
* One man's pork...
* Question of the day
* Stop the lending?
* A look at the numbers
* Duckworth for LG?
* Morning Shorts
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
** Yesterday's blog posts

Search This Blog...

Search the 96th General Assembly By Bill Number
(example: HB0001)

Search the 96th General Assembly By Keyword

Quick Links


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Polls

Archives
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0
WordPress
 

  
  » First Look: Brothers in Arms II for the iPhone
  » Box.net upgrades iPhone app, announces new API
  » Global IP Solutions offers video-chat technology to app makers
  » Review: Uno for the iPhone
  » BlackBerry Application Suite For Windows Mobile Leaked

  » The Rotterdamn Collective [Featured Workspace]
  » The Map-as-Envelope Incorporates Directions in Your Snail Mail [Clever Uses]
  » Google Buzz Explained [Screenshot Tour]
  » Move the Users Directory in Windows 7 [How To]
  » Gadget and Gear Deals of the Day [Dealhacker]

» White Sox Un-Retire #11, Vizquel to wear Aparico's number with his ble..
» Vizquel to wear Aparicio's No. 11
» Hey, who wants to sit around and talk about 2005?
» South Side Sox 2010 Fantasy Baseball Challenge
» Boyer: Any buzz must translate to wins

 
     


  » Illinois universities jeopardized by slow state fu....
  » Illinois universities make plea for state money - ....
  » State universities make plea for state money - Dai....
  » Quinn: Lt. gov. hopefuls should speak up - Galesbu....
  » Illinois universities want money promised by state....
  » Ill. universities make plea for state money - News....
  » Lawmakers' expectations low for session - Southtow....
  » Regional changes could have altered primary electi....
  » Cohen move gives Democrats a rare do-over - State ....
  » Illinois Democrats scramble to find lieutenant gov....


  » Central Ill. schools, roads feel winter blast
  » Ill. universities make plea for state money
  » Young central Ill. alderman dies after surgery
  » Discrimination suit against Ill. college tossed
  » Man ordered imprisoned for running over man
  » Illinois Changing DNA Evidence Protocol
  » McDonald's same-store sales fall in U.S. in January, rise overall
  » US Gives $78.5M to Fight Carp
  » United Airlines sees January traffic rise
  » Dow closes below 10,000 points

  » United fuels surge in airline stocks
  » Kraft closing Cadbury plant that was slated to shutter
  » Allstate opening Texas call center
  » Caterpillar helps lift U.S. stocks
  » Pat Ryan returns to insurance with launch of new firm


  » Snow likely to make tonight's commute home worse
  » No one shot, no injuries in disturbance at funeral home
  » Man says he was asked to kill Peterson's ex-wife
  » Man charged with murder in Woodlawn shooting
  » Man burned at Hancock Center restaurant: cops
  » Fitness prize: Lifetime of free training
  » Suspect still in custody for gruesome Austin slaying
  » Toddler abandoned at fire house: cops
  » Hynes won't replace Cohen, but who will?
  » Chief's kin demands return of forest preserve land


  » 3 treated for health problems at South Side funeral home
  » Daley's son called back to active duty in Army
  » Mayor Daley's son called back to Army duty
  » Man charged in fatal Woodlawn shooting
  » 60 days in jail for figure in Stroger patronage scandal
  » Prosecutors: Peterson, Savio were fighting over $893,000
  » Worker injured in fire in John Hancock restaurant
  » Algonquin teen charged in slaying of family member
  » Public universities seek promised state funds
  » Local food execs sign on to Michelle Obama anti-obesity campaign


  » Chicago Card Shop Gets Super Bowl Boost
  » Snow to get Worse in Afternoon; Southwest Cancels all Flights
  » Who Does Quinn Want as His Running Mate?
  » More Bridge Worries for Northwest Indiana
  » CTA President Says He's Ready to Meet with Union Leaders
  » CTA Service Reductions Affect CPS Students
  » Inspectors Trash More Food at Shared Kitchen
  » Blue Monday for Some in Indiana
  » Quinn: No Money Deal for Cohen
  » Durbin Says Giannoulias Should Answer Questions About Family Bank Involvement

» Who will be Quinn's running mate?
» Universities want money they're owed
» Krishnamoorthi wants to be considered for role of Pat Quinn's running mate
» New law accidentally bars farmers from using ATVs
» Plummer not picking sides in GOP governor's race


  » Lawmakers pushing more on red-light cameras
  » Most of tonight's sporting events postponed
  » SJ-R.com's live snow cam
  » Latest weather-related closings, cancellations, early dismissals
  » Storm cancels flights at Chicago's airports
  » Southern Illinois digs out of latest snowstorm
  » Man attacks estranged wife
  » Food bank receives 4,000 pounds of pork
  » Woman punched
  » Drive collects hundreds of crutches, walkers for Haitians


  » Lawmaker introduces bill to keep Cubs training in Arizona
  » Discrimination suit against RLC tossed
  » Illinois universities make plea for state money
  » Southern Illinois digs out of latest snowstorm
  » Carbondale police seek information in armed robbery


» Images of Tuesday's snow
» Send us pictures of your Frosty
» 8th House GOP losers vow to support Walsh
» Kane official says no pay to play, but banks big bucks from vendors
» Simulator helps veterans confront painful memories


  » GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - February 9, 2010
  » Dems must pick new lt. gov candidate
  » GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - February 8, 2010
  » GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - February 7, 2010
  » GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - February 6, 2010

» Tax hike would fund sewer maintenance, flood ..
» Island Culture: Running with the Art Pack in ..
» Congressional panel prepares hearing on Asian..
» 8th House GOP losers vow to support Walsh - C..
» FTC probing CVS Caremark's prescription drug ..
» Duckworth and Quinn? Not Likely - NBC Chicago
» Why isn't Melissa Bean my old Rep on Jane's l..
» Riverport Railroad receives option to buy ind..
» Ill. gov might want to run from his running m..
» Questions still need answering on April 30 de..

» Manhattan Institute probes lobbying efforts o.....
» Mesothelioma will be discussed at asbestos aw.....
» Cohen withdraws over prostitute girlfriend - .....
» Congressional panel prepares hearing on Asian.....
» Flashback: Alexi Giannoulias' Broadway Bank L.....

» Can GOP Gain 51-Seat Majority in November? - .....
» The midterms: All the right moves - msnbc.com...
» Ill. gov might want to run from his running m.....
» Nation will watch Illinois races closely - Qu.....
» Column: I'll take the Senate seat for $500! -.....

    » Chicago's “Big Snow,” 2010
    » In Gov's Race, Christmas Goose not always Good for the Gander
    » Black is Back at Art Basel
    » Chicago's News Wars: Did the Scoop Get Scooped?
    » Chicago News Cooperative Debuts: Newspaper Wars are Back
    » Michael Scott, the ‘Problem Solver'
    » Let's Play ‘Republican Idol:' Women, Minorities Need Not Apply
    » Jim O'Shea Weighs in on Diversity Issue at CNC
    » Carol Adams Going to DuSable Museum
    » A Forum: On Chicago's Deadly Streets


Header Photos...
Wayne Bretl & UIS


Hosted by MCS