* The House is debating Speaker Madigan’s surtax on income over a million dollars, with all the money set aside for schools. However…
Good question.
* But also some good points…
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
House Speaker Michael Madigan released a statement following Wednesday’s vote in the Illinois House of Representatives on a constitutional amendment to increase state funding for elementary schools and high schools through a surcharge on millionaires:
“For the second time in less than a year, Republican legislators have rejected the wishes of their constituents and opposed a measure requiring the top 1 percent to pay more to help boost education funding in Illinois.
“This proposal is not a partisan issue. An advisory question on this matter was put to voters in the 2014 general election and it received over 60 percent support statewide. The people of Illinois spoke – they believe a surcharge on millionaires is a good way to get our schools the help they need. We should listen to the wishes of our constituents, not big business or the 1 percent who would put profits ahead of our children’s education. Unfortunately today, Republicans again failed to listen to their constituents.
“This constitutional amendment would give Illinois residents the ability to decide whether the state constitution should be amended to increase the income tax on multi-millionaires to provide additional dollars for schools across the state. All revenue from this proposal – an estimated $1 billion annually – would be distributed to school districts on a per-pupil basis.”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:11 pm:
Why is Dave McKinney so good?
“@davemckinney -If nothing changes from Madigan’s 2014 millionaire tax advisory referendum (HB3816), HJRCA26 has a long way to 71″
71
It’s all about the numbers.
As Rep. Sullivan points out the numbers too, “it’s just a bill”, but, again, Raunerites will vote “no”, and Madigan will pummel those targets that are “Red” on this, even though… it’s a long way to 71.
- Fusion - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:14 pm:
==Gov. Rauner had $57.5M in adjusted gross income for 2014.==
Seeing this reminded me of the movie “Wolf of Wall Street.” Jordan Belfort, as portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, had this line: “When I was 26, I made $49 million which really p*ssed me off because it was three shy of a million per week.”
Heckuva job, Raunie! You’re still in the Million Per Week Club!
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:18 pm:
Rauner must be about to veto the higher ed/human service approp bill on his desk.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:20 pm:
Because it was approved by a majority of voters when it was a ballot question in the 2014 general election in all but five state rep districts. If all members voted their district on this issue it should have 113 yes votes.
If these reps want to vote against the wishes of the voters in their district it appears the Speaker has decided that he’s going to give them this opportunity today.
- WhoKnew - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:23 pm:
-Captain-
That Madigan is so thoughtful that way!
/s
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:48 pm:
Glad to hear Madigan does not want to go against the wishes of his constituents. The term limit bill will be passed immediately
- Thoughts Matter - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:49 pm:
Regarding the update -now we know why he called the bill. The Republican legislators with opponents in the fall obviously are still listening to Rauner, so more pressure from their districts in needed. The Republicans who don’t have opponents have proved they are useless.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:55 pm:
=== Glad to hear Madigan does not want to go against the wishes of his constituents. ===
Somewhere along the line, I missed the advisory referendum on term limits. Was that before or after the folks voted on the millionaire tax.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:02 pm:
SlickHeadSandy asked about term limits on the floor and Madigan told him he supported administered by voters. The BigBrains tried to exercise that option in early March, but Gonzo dropped the ball.
- Nick Danger - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:20 pm:
Always about the political calculation, never for the good of the citizens. Always.
- Not It - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:22 pm:
How much more tax money would the Speaker owe if this passes?
- jack27 - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
I don’t think Madigan has clean enough hands to complain about other legislators not advancing constitutional amendments the public wants.
- Triple fat - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:34 pm:
How much tax money would the Speaker owe if this passes?
I believe the speaker would owe approximately 3% of any of his adjusted gross earnings in excess of $1,000,000. Mind you this is just an estimate. That was easy!
- Mama - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:49 pm:
“Why would Speaker Madigan call for a vote on HJRCA 26 the ‘Millionaires Tax’ knowing it will fail as not all his members are here?”
Madigan thought more Republicans were on board with passing this bill??
- burbanite - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
This has been getting coverage in MSM, much more than I have seen for other issues. This will be on the news tonight. This was the right thing to do, regardless. If Madigan is willing to take the hit on his income over 1 mill, what do I care how much he will pay. The Gov on the other hand isn’t willing to take the hit.
- Just Me - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:26 pm:
Mama — good one. That made me laugh out loud.
- Magic carpet ride - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
Rep Dunkin of the century club and now the millionaires club can show bruce his no vote for the millionaire tax. Send more.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 5:03 pm:
Whatever the GOP does on the budget, on taxes, on education funding in particular will be juxtaposed to this roll call.
If the schools aren’t funded, Madigan will remind everyone that the GOP had a chance to increase school funding by $1 billion and they voted No.
This is not rocket science. This is how legislation is made.
Like Magic, there’s three parts:
1. The Pledge
2. The Turn
3. The Prestige