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* St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Pat Gauen takes a look at a section of the recent SP-D poll which asked people to choose their single most important issue facing Illinois. At the top (22 percent) was education funding, followed by expanding health care (21 percent), balancing the budget (15 percent) and rebuilding roads and infrastructure (12 percent).
Gauen comments on the lowest three on the poll’s list of priorities…
PREVENTING TAX INCREASES, 9 PERCENT
I’d have guessed this was the top priority of a lot more than 9 percent, especially since our leaders in Springfield act as if it’s the mandate of 100 percent. Lack of revenue has impacted each of the “most important issues” that rank higher on this list. But barely a soul in the statehouse dares whisper the idea of increasing income or state sales taxes.
Then again, maybe legislators can eventually overcome their fear of an unpopular governor’s threatened veto.
LOWERING GAS PRICES, 6 PERCENT
The state can’t do much about that, short of decreasing its motor fuel tax. As much as lawmakers don’t want to raise taxes, they don’t want to give any back, either.
Um, Pat, lowering the sales tax on gas would result in a big hit to the budget, which could result in more service cuts or pressures to increase other taxes. Lowering the motor fuel tax would further erode the state’s Road Fund.
POLITICAL/CAMPAIGN ETHICS REFORM, 5 PERCENT
A brand new law takes effect Jan. 1 to keep business people from contributing directly to office holders who give them contracts. It’s the biggest campaign finance reform in many years. But this being Illinois, pay particular attention to the word “directly.”
No mention that in a state as supposedly corrupt as Illinois with voters pulling out their teeth in rage that this issue comes in dead last? Actually, maybe that’s why the SP-D poll found Blagojevich’s job approval ratings to be almost three times as high as other polls.
Your thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 2:17 pm
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You could argue that some of the people who gave the third most popular answer “balancing the budget” (15%) meant the same thing as those who said “preventing tax increases”. Afterall, it’s pretty easy to balance the budget if you’re open to any tax increase shy of infinity.
The difficulty with these types of questions is determining which subgroups are completely separate from one another and which ones have some, or even a fair amount of overlap.
Comment by Scooby Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 2:27 pm
I don’t think this gov is as opposed to a tax increase as he says. I think he has choreographed the whole budget cuts issues to put pressure on the legislators to raise taxes. He of course will veto it and they will over ride. But if it happens notice how much of the tax increase goes to health care expansion. The success of that program is what he sees as his legacy and his opportunity for national recognition.
Comment by Irish Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 2:38 pm
I think that people care about ethics, but agree that generally people understand its not what is causing them to foreclose on their home, lose their job, or have struggling schools.
It might be on the top 5 list of many, but not number 1.
Despite what the trib editorial board thinks.
Comment by pro Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 2:40 pm
No one in the real world thinks ethics laws will make politicians more ethical. That’s why the issue ranks so low.
Here’s a poll question I’d like to see, and it takes in the CBS story about an alleged Blago indictment in the works.
Q: Do you think the governor will be indicted?
Q2: Do you think the next governor will be indicted?
I’d wager that both will get majority “yes” results. But a poll that concludes: “People think politicians/government unethical” isn’t exactly news is it?
Comment by Karen Silkwood Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 2:42 pm
To be fair to Pat he’s just a Lee columnist desperately trying to stay employed and certainly not paying attention to state government full-time. P-D recently cut out all suburban editions, so everyone in the STL metro area gets the same paper. I’m sure that will make the dead tree edition ever more popular!
My favorite part is all those pollees in favor of a balanced state budget—a constitutional mandate but fictional. Requiring accrual-based accounting for state finances should be mandated in our next Constitution.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 2:54 pm
An opinion columnist in St. Louis promoting the idea that Illinois should raise its sales tax.
This guy must have his resume in for the Economic Development Director’s position for the City of St. Louis.
Comment by Genius Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 3:29 pm
Interesting. Crime’s not an issue?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 25, 08 @ 6:45 pm