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* Jack Franks has never voted for a tax hike in his life. And even though “Fair Tax” supporters say taxes will increase only on one percent of taxpayers, that’s still a tax hike. So, no surprise here…
State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said Thursday he intends to vote against his party’s progressive income tax amendment along with a proposed set of income tax rates in a separate plan.
Asked in a Reboot Illinois interview if he would vote against the amendment designed to ask voters if they approved of graduated tax rates, Franks replied, “That’s my intention.” […]
With all Republicans expected to oppose the progressive tax amendment and, therefore, all 71 Democratic votes required to approve it by a May 6 deadline for the fall ballot, Franks’ declaration could effectively block the plan that just was unveiled April 15. Sponsors said their progressive tax rate plan would generate $1.9 billion in new tax revenue. […]
Franks said he was concerned that rates could and would rise rapidly and that he believes structural changes should be made before tax rates change. That belief is in line with Gov. Bruce Rauner’s call for his turnaround agenda items before he will agree to a tax increase.
They’re gonna need Republican votes to pass this thing, but the governor and the House GOP Leader have done a remarkable job so far of keeping that caucus in line this year. Hey, strange things happen. Just look at yesterday. But GOP votes on this bill would be a truly strange occurrence. Stay tuned.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:17 am
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So many amendments, so little time.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:25 am
—structural changes should be made before tax rates change—
I totally agree, just raising taxes and then figuring out how the process will work, be applied, and funds go to, is just backwards and prime for corrupt or inappropriate use (IL business as usual needs to change).
Comment by Allen D Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:29 am
–They’re gonna need Republican votes to pass this thing, but the governor and the House GOP Leader have done a remarkable job so far of keeping that caucus in line this year. Hey, strange things happen.–
GOP reps. bringing the no-poison-pill property tax bill up to 71 is the biggest development of the year.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:30 am
Mr. Franks, I do not follow your logic.
A vote for a constitutional amendment is not a vote for rampant taxation. Compartmentalize, sir.
We know that with all the uncontrolled spending by the Governor’s agencies the bill backlog has achieved an astronomical level.
By not voting for the constitutional change to a graduated tax, you and the ILGOP will be condemning the 99% to pick up this sick tab.
Please reconsider.
Comment by cdog Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:36 am
If you cut taxes for 99% and raise them on 1%, I think it’s hard to call that a tax increase. It’s a tax cut.
Also, he’s voting against his constituents who expressed support for progressive taxation when they voted yes on the millionaire’s tax in 2014.
http://illinoiselectiondata.com/?p=970
Comment by Bull Moose Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:37 am
===It’s a tax cut. ===
Um, revenues are projected to increase by $1.9 billion with this proposal. Some taxes, therefore, will go up.
I have no problem in theory with a graduated tax, and don’t really have a strong opinion on this one.
But if taxes rise for some, it’s not a tax cut. Don’t be dishonest.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:39 am
Rep. Franks doesn’t have to agree to the tax rates, but he should allow the voters to consider changing the tax structure. We can make that decision.
Comment by Bleh Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:41 am
Bleh has it right…Franks is essentially voting against his constituents ability to decide for themselves, NOT against a tax increase…for that he gets the mope label.
Comment by Captain Illini Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:49 am
It’s a tax cut for 99 out of 100 people. It’s a tax hike for one in 100. Consequently, to protect the one percent who can best afford to pay, Franks and the GOP would deny a tax cut to the 99 percent.
Comment by anon Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 9:55 am
Yeah Franks and the GOP, why don’t you let the people decide? Don’t you believe in democracy?
Comment by Trolling Troll Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:00 am
A mope is one who thinks the tax hike will stop at the top 1%.
Comment by Hick Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:00 am
Make the tax system in Illinois a Progressive or graduated tax system. If you make more, you pay more. No more Entitlements for the Elitists.
Its. That. Simple.
Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:00 am
The poison pills are more of a killer of things than the tax increase that will likely not get GOP votes, and will hurt the Governor’s agencies in the long run to fulfill their jobs for Illinois.
Strangers things can happen then revenue getting a vote on the Floors…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:04 am
Where are the cuts to go along with the 1.9 billion in revenue?
This does not solve the budget deficit problem but is sure is good politics. Typical Madigan stunt
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:08 am
Only in the upside down world of Democrats is keeping more of your own money an entitlement.
Comment by Hick Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:09 am
“A mope is one who thinks the tax hike will stop at the top 1%.”
That is not the definition of a mope. It sounds more like the definition of “paranoid.”
How does the ILGOP propose to cover the bill caused by the Governor’s inability to cut the spending at his agencies? He just keeps spending and spending….
A graduated/fair tax is a smart way to go.
Comment by cdog Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:11 am
A tax increase will have to be passed at some point. Why not try for a progressive income tax? Why let the millionaires and billionaires off the hook again? They can most easily afford an income tax increase. Rauner and Griffin can afford a tax increase, and the way they are going after middle class workers, they deserve one.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:16 am
With all due respect Mr. Frank’s, let’s let your constituents and the people of Illinois decide.
Or you can spin it, twist it or whatever you do to say it’s a tax increase which it isn’t. It’s a resolution.
Comment by Chimmy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:19 am
A graduated tax is a fair tax for 99% of the taxpayers, and that is a best way to go forward.
Comment by Mama Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:20 am
=Why let the millionaires and billionaires off the hook again?=
They were exempt from the 5% rate before? No.
Time for a real solution. 7.5% tax on all income. Retirement too.
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:23 am
“Time for a real solution. 7.5% tax on all income. Retirement too.”
Yep. That’s what Franks, Dunkin, and the ILGOP want.
Comment by cdog Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:28 am
Okay Hick…let me try to elucidate (explain for you)…
Chimmy has it right, the issue before Mr. Franks is to approve or deny the measure for US to decide whether to allow for a graduated income tax versus flat tax. NOTHING in that decision relates to what to DO with added revenue only how to collect it. Subsequent (future for you) legislatures will determine how it is spent - or not - and where structural changes are made as Mr. Franks wants, thus his statement about raising taxes - though technically true - evades the basic ability for his constituents and all of us to participate in the decision.
Comment by Captain Illini Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:43 am
Franks is a Democrat in a Republican district. He has to say that.
Comment by Hedley Lamarr Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:04 am
“They were exempt from the 5% rate before? No.”
The flat tax inherently exempts millionaires and billionaires from paying more. Their marginal rate is the same as everyone else’s.
They were exempted by Republican GA members a few times in the last few years, when progressive income tax legislation failed to pass in the House.
We know the voters have to decide on the ballot, but they’re not being given a chance.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:06 am
This isn’t a new position or a surprising one for Jack Franks. Whatever is done in this regard would need to take into account that his position has been unwavering from the outset. There might even be another one like him out there. They’ll probably need two. Not a lot, but too many.
Comment by A guy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:10 am
Rep Franks, and others too, need something to politically allow them to vote for a income tax amendment that would allow for a graduated tax such as Rep Lang has proposed. That something is a trade off for property taxes, effectively increased income tax revenue needs to offset in some way property taxes.
Up to now the leadership in the House is not willing to make that deal, because the state needs revenue. But a price has to be paid for many votes. The trade need not be dollar for dollar, but it needs to be put on the table.
Comment by Rod Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:20 am
Drop the 99% stuff — a good portion of the 99% already don’t pay any Illinois income taxes for a variety of reasons. This is about increasing taxes on the 100% that already pay a tax.
Comment by Alexander Cut the Knot Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:18 pm
=== a good portion of the 99% already don’t pay any Illinois income taxes for a variety of reasons. This is about increasing taxes on the 100% that already pay a tax.===
Lemme guess, “taxpayers” are angry…
Your ignorance is noted.
(Banned Word)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:38 pm
Franks speaks out of both sides of his mouth. He says we don’t have revenue for important things like higher education, but then he is against getting more revenue.
Comment by tabster Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:09 pm