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Committee of the Whole open thread and GRT updates
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller * The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 9 o’clock. You can listen or watch it live at this link. Use the comments to help live blog it. 9:46: If you’re having any trouble looking at the video or hearing the audio, open your Windows Media application and under “Open URL” enter (for video) http://12.43.64.137/hsevideo or for audio: http://12.43.64.137/audio 9:41: The guv just warned of a billion dollars in budget cuts if nothing is done this session. He also reiterated his pledge to veto a tax increase on “people.” 9:27: Anyone else having trouble with audio or video? Big problems on my end. Looks like the governor is beginning now. Wow, they swore him in. 9:26: Madigan just said that the House will vote tomorrow on a resolution asking members whether they are for or against the GRT. 9:16: OK, it’s starting. 9:11: While we’re waiting, I forgot to mention that the blog was referenced in an NPR “All Things Considered” report yesterday. Go here and click on the “Listen” button directly under the headline “Florida Joins Crackdown on Campaign ‘Robo-Calls’” 9:07: Members are still milling about, according to Paul. It hasn’t begun yet, so that’s why your video/audio feeds aren’t working. * Mayor Daley, whose words always hold sway at the Statehouse, urged compromise yesterday…
UPDATE: I accidentally killed off the rest of this post trying to update it from my Treo. Live and learn, I suppose. Here are the GRT links from earlier today…
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- Reddbyrd - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:46 am:
How can the Capt Fax be running behind on a day like today? Even Grod may be on time.
- So Ill - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 8:58 am:
It will be interesting to hear the contrast between Blagojevich and Quinn, coming right after one another.
Think Blago will answer reporters’ questions at the Statehouse?
- Anon - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:12 am:
Since when has Pat Quinn’s opinions mattered?
- So Ill - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:18 am:
Just me, or is the audio choppy…when it’s on it sounds great, but there’s a lot of down time. Apologies if this is supposed to be the case.
- Anon - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:27 am:
pretty good applause for the governor
- So Ill - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:36 am:
Audio sounds good now. Just took them some time to get started.
Since they swore the Gov in, if he tells a falsehood can he be held in contempt? That’d be funny.
- So Ill - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:37 am:
Gov on sales/income tax hike: ‘If you pass it, I won’t sign it. If you pass it, I will veto it.’
- Cassandra - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:39 am:
Of course, the business community would prefer an income tax over a GRT. Does da Mare think we’re that clueless? Remember, it’s a lot harder to cheat on the GRT than it is on the coporate or individual income tax, with the latter’s myriad of deductions and credits. A lot of da Mare’s corporate honcho pals may not even claim Illinois residence. Their “homes” are probably in Florida or another state with no income tax. They don’t care if we individual taxpayers get a higher income tax and they figure their tax departments can more easily get around an increase in the coporate income tax than they can get around the GRT. And if all else fails, with the coporate income tax, they can always buy a few legislators and put through some more loopholes. Democratic legislators.
- demgrrl - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:49 am:
The governor is making a compelling case. Legislators should have heard this argument long ago. If they let large bizs bully them, we’ll never have another chance to make this kind of investment in people again.
- So Ill - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:50 am:
Who’s doing the bullying though, dem? I mean…it seems to me as though it’s the Governor who is unwilling to consider alternatives. ‘My way or the highway’, right? That’s bullying, isn’t it?
- demgrrl - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:51 am:
cassandra,
meant to say that you’re right on the money. He needs the big bizs to pay for the Olympics so he won’t do a thing to jeopardize his relationship with them, even if it’s at the expense of his own school system.
- demgrrl - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:55 am:
So Ill,
the biz community has been bombarding legislators from day one with all sorts of scare tactics. Just ask any of them. The gov’s points are totally valid — income and sales taxes will hit people directly. They’re already paying more than they should. Why should they be asked to pay more?
- Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 9:58 am:
dem girl, so it’s alright for people to be hit with stealth taxes, which is what will happen when businesses pass the costs along? The public ain’t buying it…we know we’ll be paying it.
- Little Egypt - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:01 am:
He also reiterated his pledge to veto a tax increase on “people.†Come on Guvna, you have no credibility when you think you can pigeon hole people and corporations. WE ARE ALL PEOPLE!!!!!!
- No Compromise - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:02 am:
I’m Not, I’m Not, I’m Not,
The guv just warned of a billion dollars in budget cuts if nothing is done this session. GOOD!
Now there’s a start! Cut all the patronage fat you created since 2002.
- From Meigs Field - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:08 am:
Both sides have experts, in the end we all lose.
The governor said himself “Budget Cuts”.
Trim the massive amount of state government FAT!
- So Ill - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:09 am:
‘Scare tactics’ and ‘Reality’ are different things, demgrrl.
I don’t argue with the fact that people are paying more than they should, but I take issue with the suggestion that they won’t pay more anyway if a GRT is enabled. Businesses will pass as much of that along as they can, and whether you feel that is fair or right or not, it is the truth. So it’s hypocritical for anyone who votes for a GRT to suggest that it won’t be paid by the average person. Emil Jones said as much yesterday.
And by bullying, I’m referring also to the assertion that if someone doesn’t like the Gross Receipts Tax, then they don’t want to help people. That’s not true — but there’s a difference between helping people at all costs, and helping people within our means.
The problem is that the state has spent too much time working outside of its means. I frankly don’t care whose fault that is. Isn’t it time to stop doing that?
- gulag - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:11 am:
Does anyone really think that any GRT tax won’t just be passed through to customers?
If so, you are clueless.
- demgrrl - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:17 am:
You make valid points S Il, but I would disagree that the state is working outside it’s means. The state has added more than 500,000 working people and kids to health care over the last three years. That’s the most meaningful investment we can make in people and it’s worth the cost. According to the comptroller’s office, the administration cut half a billion in medicaid debt last year alone — while adding all these people to the health care rolls. I think we need to look at these facts and look beyond alot of this rhetoric.
- Achilles - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:17 am:
The governor hasn’t operated within his means since 2002.
*Further more, I certainly do not trust Rod or Emil with more of MY MONEY!
- Councilman Sinnock Online - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:18 am:
I was listening to NPR yesterday when they mentioned your site Rich. Nice to see you gettinng more national exposure.
- Lula May - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:18 am:
This video-audio is as bad as the GRT tax. It all sucks. This is a big state. Is this really the best we can do ?
- gulag - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:22 am:
And the marketplace is going to decide to pass through this tax to customers.
- vinron - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:25 am:
argghhhh - stop saying GRT Tax.
Yes, nitpicking. No ATM machine, HIV virus, PIN number, VIN number.
thanks, I feel better. Back to the program.
- Update - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:26 am:
- demgrrl - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:17 am
The state has added more than 500,000 working people and kids to health care over the last three years. That statement is a joke! That whole program is state propaganda charade……
Doctors aren’t getting paid for services!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 9, 07 @ 10:48 am:
Comments closed on this thread because of a problem on my end. Go here for a fresh thread. Thanks.