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* I’ve posted this before, but thought that the scheduled end of session would be a good time to drag it up again…
* The Question: In billions of dollars, what are the levels of budget cuts and/or tax hikes that you’d be willing to support? Keep in mind that we have a $13 billion hole to fill. Also keep in mind that a one percentage point increase in the income tax generates about $3 billion, give or take. Total personnel costs are a bit over $3 billion.
And don’t forget to explain. Forget the explaining. Just tell us how many billions in cuts and billions in tax hikes you would support. No need to say which tax or which program. Billions of dollars only this time, please. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:12 pm
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Me, personally? An increase to 5% in the state income tax, with protections (probably EITC) for lower and middle income taxpayers.
Application of the state income tax to retirement income over some threshold number ($50,000?)
Expansion of the sales tax base to services to raise at least another $1.5B
Cuts of 10% to K-12 and higher ed
Cut of 10% to human services
Cut of 5% to public safety
Cut of 5% to Ag, Natural Resources
Strong caps on all programs to limit growth to something less than 4% per year MAX!
Comment by steve schnorf Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:26 pm
my biggest complaint about the call for cuts is that the examples always seem to be something that one party or another perceives a wedge where they can obtain some kind of political advantage. so while i agree that state government spending can be reduced, i’ve also come to conclude that the places where i’d like it to be reduced (like political corruption, wages for commissions and extraneous patronage jobs), i recognize that this will never, ever happen in illinois. it is much more likely that they will cut back on safety, emergency and social safety net programs. the things that only government can provide (people can actually make money in the private sector, we don’t need patronage positions to enrich people).
i would like to see revisions in retirement benefits. there is no reason that any politician (someone elected to office, any office in illinois) should receive vastly more in retirement income than they made as public employees.
there’s lots of other examples, but i understand that they will never come to fruition.
i do think that illinois needs to reform its vast levels of government. here in rich township, we have a roads department for all of 8 miles of road. that’s absurd. we need to cut out the different levels of government and gain some economies to scale for what we get back in government services. at the same time, we should reform the way that we pay for government services, again, looking for both savings shortterm and longterm.
i have no problem paying for better schools, public safety, at least decent roads (hey, i can hope!), and a social safety net that will allow our market economy to continue to function. i got no problem doubling income taxes, but i’d like to see it coupled with a rationalization of property taxes and local government entities…
Comment by bored now Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:28 pm
The first item would be to begin taxing pension and social security income.This would bring into the tax systems previously untaxed dollars. An exclusion level based on and average retirement inocme would be excluded from tax ,with amounts over the exemption being taxable. Second, eliminate the 5% real estate tax credit from the state income tax, while also eliminating the 2% credit retailers receive for filing and paying sales tax on a timely basis. This should account for hundreds of millions in tax revenue to the state.
Comment by WRMNPolitics Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:29 pm
Along with what Schnorf said, I would bring back the 1% tax on food, place a time limit or sunset provision on the tax increase, and revamp the legislative pension system by remving it completly an converting to use just a defeered comp (401(k)) style retirement program for the general assembly. The current money set aside for each memebr would be placed into such a program for current members and they would go forward with the new pension system.
Comment by Ghost Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:31 pm
I agree with the Steve Schnorf plan, but I would be willing to go up to 6% income tax in exchange for smaller cuts to human services. I am not saying no cuts, as hard as that is to say, but smaller cuts.
Comment by Montrose Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:36 pm
I’d take Steve’s #s but swap the education cut and replace it with a gas tax that ramps up dramatically over 5 years to cover both the education cuts more transit and road funding.
Oh, and I’d sell the Thompson Center to a casino.
Comment by One-zero-8 Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:36 pm
Wrong tag on the pic. Should say “No, we won’t”. This is the perfect time for Quinn to step up and repeatedly talk to the state that based on the inability of the General Assembly to make any decision, offer any substantial suggestions, and continually blow off any ideas he has put forward, he will be forced to take the steps to put Illinois back toward financial balance. Since taxes are not being considered he will have no choice but to cut at least $6B from the current budget which will mean a minimum 25% cut across the board, no exceptions. Put out a budget that shows those cuts and do not back down when the screaming starts. Follow up with: Give me a reasoned set of real alternatives and get back into special session. He’s got the bully pulpit. Use it.
I would support a minimum 1.5% tax increase. Cut the consultants, all earmarks, and all special projects. Many state agencies are running pretty bare. Hard to function on less. This is a severe problem that is not going away with talk. The state needs to pay its bills and take care of infrastructure, education, human services, and health care. Wishful thinking is not going to stop costs from rising.
Comment by zatoichi Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:45 pm
Revenue:
- an income tax increase of 2% with an increased personal exemption of $5,000 per person
- elimination of the property tax deduction
- extending sales tax to include most services
- elimination of all sales tax exemptions with the exception of charitable organizations and governments
Program Cuts:
- eliminate the Department on Aging
- eliminate State Board of Education
- eliminate the Department of Human Rights
- eliminate U of I extension program
Any necessary programs should be transferred to other agencies.
Funding Cuts:
- reduce healthcare coverage to 200% of federal poverty level (and yes, I understand this means giving up federal money)
- eliminate state payments to local governments; locals should raise their own taxes
- moderate cuts to education, public safety, Ag, DNR, and DCFS
Comment by Pelon Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:47 pm
People, I asked for your answer to be in billions of dollars, not specific cuts or taxes.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:48 pm
$3 billion in cuts
$9 billion in tax increases
Comment by RJW Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:56 pm
That’s my answer if those are my only two options.
Comment by RJW Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:57 pm
Cut 1 billion. Increase the income tax by 1% permanently and increase it by 2% more for 3 years.
Comment by lincolnlover Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:59 pm
ditto:
$3 billion in cuts
$9 billion in tax increases
Comment by Lakefront Liberal Friday, May 7, 10 @ 12:59 pm
Sorry. Appparently I can’t add to 13. $4 billion in cuts and $9 billion in tax increases.
Comment by RJW Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:00 pm
$12 billion in cuts.
$12 billion in tax increases.
Comment by heet101 Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:00 pm
$3 billion in cuts, $9 billion in taxes (6% rate).
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Increase income tax by 2% for $6 billion to get rid of the structural deficit. As the economy improves, use 10-20% of additional revenues to restore agencies to appropriate levels (ie. Corrections & DNR, both woefully understaffed and facing big maintenance deficits), 10-20% to restore Higher Ed funding (either through MAP or by trading state dollars for tuition cuts), and the remaining money to ramp pK-12 Education up to recommended levels.
Impose sales taxes on services enough to raise $1 to 1.5 billion. For the next 4-6 years, pay off the $6 billion back log. After that, the money should be used to pay off the pension debt.
No cuts. Look around, the place is falling apart after 10 years of cuts. Any of the little cuts that can be made due to “waste and fraud” would be offset by restoration of poorly considered cuts (ie. understaffing the prisons & parks).
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:13 pm
Rich, I disagree with you letting people off the hook for explanation. If you don’t explain the cuts or revenue, it’s all magic beans.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:16 pm
My numbers turn out $3-4Bin cuts, around 7+B in new revenue
Comment by steve schnorf Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:19 pm
New Revenue = $10.5 B
Cuts = $2.5 B
Comment by Montrose Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:21 pm
$3-4 billion in semi-permanent cuts. When the economy improves, review to see if there are any judicious increases in services that are justified.
$8-9 billion in TEMPORARY tax imcreases, to be removed to the extent possible when the economy turns around and generates more tax revenue.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:27 pm
Hey Pot Calling Kettle … maybe Rich just decided not to hold the commenters here to a higher standard than those in office and running for office.
And to answer the question:
I’d be in favor of $3.5 billion in cuts and $9.5 billion in tax increases.
Comment by ShadyBillBrady Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:32 pm
13 billion in cuts.
0 new taxes.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:32 pm
$10 billion in new taxes
$4 billion in cuts
Comment by Earnest Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:41 pm
$28 billion in cuts for one year, then we can start from scratch with a surplus.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:43 pm
Living in Oklahoma wrote:
*13 billion in cuts.
0 new taxes.*
This is why Rich asked for just numbers. It highlights how ridiculous a response like this one is.
Comment by Montrose Friday, May 7, 10 @ 1:51 pm
$1 billion in cuts
$13 billion in income tax increases
Comment by been there Friday, May 7, 10 @ 2:10 pm
$1 billion in cuts
$6 billion in taxes
$6 billion remaining gap to be filled essentially by borrowing (I’m including delayed payment gimmicks and raiding settlement funds as borrowing here)
Comment by Robert Friday, May 7, 10 @ 2:30 pm
3 billion in cuts (but I get to pick the cuts)
10 billion in tax increases
Comment by Bill Friday, May 7, 10 @ 2:37 pm
$13 billion in new taxes from a graduated income tax. Tax the rich, they can afford it!
Comment by Dead Head Friday, May 7, 10 @ 2:56 pm
$3 billion in cuts (roughly 10 percent)
$6 billion in new taxes [cigs (I already buy mine in MO), 3-year “temporary” income tax hike]
Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, May 7, 10 @ 3:04 pm
$4 billion in cuts year one, an additional 2 billion in cuts year 2, rest in credit default swaps
Comment by envelop Friday, May 7, 10 @ 3:10 pm
3 billion in cuts.
10 billion tax increase.
Typing this just isn’t right.
Comment by keepitsimple Friday, May 7, 10 @ 4:01 pm
$13 billion in cuts.
No tax increase.
Comment by Steve-O Friday, May 7, 10 @ 4:45 pm
Five in cuts, eight in taxes and bring the pain, for everyone.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 7, 10 @ 4:52 pm
Cut a third of the budget - no tax increase.
Comment by Avy Friday, May 7, 10 @ 5:34 pm
$3 B cuts
$0 tax increases
$10 B kicking can down the road
Comment by (Formerly) Angry Republican Friday, May 7, 10 @ 7:07 pm
Tough question the way you ask it. Since I absolutely believe retirement income should be taxed at some level, I like Steve Schnoff’s revenue enhancement of around 7 billion which presumes that will be part of the program. Am less enthused about his proposed cuts but could live with them.
Comment by Skirmisher Friday, May 7, 10 @ 8:47 pm