Today, the Illinois Republican Party released a new digital ad, Tax Hike. The ad highlights the undeniable link between J.B. Pritzker and Mike Madigan and their support for even more tax hikes in Illinois.
In a recent interview, Pritzker made his view on taxes clear: “Illinois may need another tax hike to balance the books and pay for needed public investments, even if the progressive income tax eventually comes about. That was the fiscal bottom line from Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker…”
Pritzker and Madigan have long been advocates for increased taxes. When asked by a reporter if his plan is “just for tax increases,” Madigan laughs and dodges the question, while J.B. Pritzker refuses to admit that people are leaving Illinois because of Madigan’s track record of tax hikes.
Despite a 32% tax hike earlier this year with no reforms to state government, Pritzker and Madigan continue to push for higher taxes on Illinois families. Our state cannot afford more taxes on our citizens.
Now is the time to stop Pritzker and Madigan. No more tax hikes.
Illinoisans are already reeling from a 32% across-the-board tax hike forced on them by the Democratic majority. Now, one of their leading candidates for governor – billionaire J.B. Pritzker – is reportedly preparing another damaging tax hike if elected.
Over the weekend, The News-Gazette broke down Pritzker’s confusing, contradictory statements at a Crain’s Chicago Business editorial board interview in which he “raised the possibility” of hiking Illinois’ flat income tax yet again.
The News-Gazette writes that Pritzker is “leaving the door open” for the tax hike, and that Pritzker’s big-spending campaign promises mean that Illinoisans will have to pay higher taxes.
“So if a Pritzker administration wants more revenue to spend in 2019 and thereafter, it’s almost a political necessity to use a one-two punch — flat tax hike immediately and progressive income tax constitutional amendment later.”
The News-Gazette is even warning that Illinois Democrats are waiting for a Democrat Governor to sign the tax hike they hope to pass.
“Gov. Rauner certainly isn’t going to suppose an income tax increase. So the Democratic legislature won’t raise the state income tax until a Democratic governor assumes office in January 2019.”
J.B. Pritzker is offering Illinois more of the broken policies that caused it’s fiscal mess – reckless spending and tax hikes that drive families and businesses out of the state.
*** UPDATE *** Galia Slayen at the Pritzker campaign…
The RGA and the ILGOP are going to need to do a little better than recycled lies to save the most vulnerable governor in the country. As we made clear last week, JB does not want to raise taxes on middle class families. What remains unclear is where Bruce Rauner stands on Donald Trump’s devastating tax plan. Does Rauner support Donald Trump’s attack on middle class families?
The bipartisan override of not only the tax hike, but the state’s budget, Rauner’s destructive ways are clearly seen with vetoes aimed to hurt social services, higher education, and state agencies.
Rauner has failed Illinois, Rauner has vetoed the existence of state government for 3 full fiscal years.
Rauner vetoes, that’s Rauner want for Illinois to fail.
Being caught on an FBI tape trying to weasel a treasury position from blagojevich, having a history of being accused of mistreating workers, and blaming Illinois’ problems on the current governor rather than offering any solid solutions.
===Being caught on an FBI tape trying to weasel a treasury position from blagojevich, having a history of being accused of mistreating workers, and blaming Illinois’ problems on the current governor rather than offering any solid solutions===
LOL… let’s break this down…
“Being caught on an FBI tape trying to weasel a treasury position from Blagojevich”
It’s wasn’t a “treasury” position, it was the Treasurer of Illinois.
… which Pritzker refused to give a quid pro quo, was never appointed or otherwise “made”… “treasury”… and the FBI, US Attorney, no one talked to, questioned, deposed, Pritzker, and you know of the recording by a leak, not part of any legal process.
“having a history of being accused of mistreating workers”
Rauner laid off workers, giving “gift cards” and had one case of a former CEO stating Rauner not only threatened them but their family…
“..,and blaming Illinois’ problems on the current governor rather than offering any solid solutions”
… which is the “Pat Quinn fails” playbook, pushing Rauner thru the finish line, to victory.
Messaging: I think the phrase “not enough” is a strong one as it segues well into “never enough”. Get people to question if something will ever stop, like a runaway train.
Production: Good framing. I also like the blurring effect in the ad. Makes me feel like I’m in the Matrix. And if we are in the Matrix, can the bots reboot to 1970 and change a thing or two?
=== If you had any clue… LOL === Regardless, the record would show someone morally incompetent to hold office. Rauner and JB Pritzker are practically one and the same at this point, even by your comparisons, at least we know what to expect from Rauner. I wouldn’t trust JB to be a city dogcatcher.
Max, JB is for the fair tax that would increase taxes on the wealthy, but give a tax cut to 80-90% of tax filers. All of the Democrats running for
Governor support this proposal, as do most of the voters in Illinois.
So the RGA is giving their interpretation of a News-Gazette article that gives its interpretation of a Crain’s article.
Instead of wasting my time with interpretations of interpretations, the RGA should be looking for a candidate who can actually deliver in realistic business reform.
JB and Mike Madigan believe Trial lawyers and Unions should have veto power over all legislation in Illinois.
If you think that has been good for Illinois you should vote for them and the Democrats running for the office.
if you think Illinois needs drastic reforms to our business environment and government and and not just more tax increases you should vote for Rauner and Republican legislators.
===JB and Mike Madigan believe Trial lawyers and Unions should have veto power over all legislation in Illinois.===
Madigan had mixed reviews with Labor, then came Rauner.
To say Madigan has been the #1 go-to person for Labor is disingenuous.
If you want to argue the Trial Lawyers, when I do, I get “Med Society” and “Doctors” as the Dems pivot. Was like that for a long time, that’s true as well.
Problem is, that pesky 60/30 dynamic.
To this…
===if you think Illinois needs drastic reforms to our business environment and government and and not just more tax increases you should vote for Rauner and Republican legislators.===
Raunerites vote against higher education, funding state universities, even paying special services for contracts that were signed.
The Brave 15 and Perfect 10, real republicans concerned with saving Illinois are leaving, forcing the choice to actually be Raunerism/Trumpism vs. Democrats… not Republicans… but Raunerites.
Well LP, in three years Rauner has failed at business reform. There was plenty of non-union business reform that could have been attempted. Union jobs are a small percentage of actual business labor of this and all states. But Rauner has a personal vendetta against unions. Rauner has failed miserably at achievable business reforms by pursuing his vendetta. Rauner needs to go.
I was watching a documentary on Reagan over the Thanksgiving break and one of the things that stood out to me was his ability to compromise with Tip O’Neill. Reagan didn’t keep pushing for the same thing over and over when he couldn’t get something passed. He moved on to other things. That’s what good leaders do. They don’t keep up the same mantra year in and year out and then complain that they are a victim because they can’t get their way.
But you and the Governor? What do you do? You play the victim and drone on about “reforms” that can’t be passed as the Governor envisions them. Instead of the incessant crying about not getting what you want how about the Governor figure out how to actually govern? That would be a change.
Why in the world would I vote for a guy who has proven he cannot get anything done and his only “solution” is to play the victim and blame everyone else. The political landscape isn’t going to change in the General Assembly after the next election. The Democrats will still be in control. I think I’m going to take a pass at voting for a guy who simply is going to engage in more of the same victimhood.
===
Why are so many of the brave 15 not brave enough to run for reelection?
Because it is impossible to argue Illinois does not need reform of our government or business environment and all we need is more tax hikes.===
No. Keep up.
Rauner made it clear.
“I don’t want any $&@#% problems”
They are facing Raunerite challenges, even Proft challenges, but not Republican challenges.
What you want to say is “voters”, the reality is the millions of Raunerism, or the millions of Proft… those aren’t Republican push-backs.
The push-back is… being a Republican and saving Illinois from
Raunerism. Rauner didn’t like that. Ask Ms. Wheeler.
Ms. Wheeler felt Raunerism should continue and should keep destroying Illinois. Ms. Wheeler is also leaving. Not soon enough for Illinois, but leaving all the same.
Raunerism is about destroying Illinois, support it, or Rauner destroys you.
Proft is upset Republicans abandoned Rauner, but is also upset with Rauner, which makes Proft’s money machine hum.
===Can you list any bills passed by the House over the objection of Labor and Trial lawyers?
Be specific.
You could also mention any bills that left the rules committee over the objection of labor and trial lawyers===
Your assertion means you know of these bills.
You should use these bills to make YOUR point. That’s how things work.
Since I said…
===Madigan had mixed reviews with Labor, then came Rauner.
To say Madigan has been the #1 go-to person for Labor is disingenuous.
If you want to argue the Trial Lawyers, when I do, I get “Med Society” and “Doctors” as the Dems pivot. Was like that for a long time, that’s true as well.===
I’ve conceded a few points, but you either knew that, or can’t read.
‘Corporatist’-'one who espouses the idea that consumers will be forced to pay whatever is charged because there is no other game in town. Ex. Public utilities, pro sports teams and insurance companies.
Lucky P. It’s clear you despise labor as much as you despise Madigan. You must believe we are one and the same. Well I got news for ya. Downstate labor wants Madigan gone. Just right after we get rid of Rauner. For now, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Stop generalizing. Madigan and Quinn tried to screw us over. We have not forgotten.
You know, rga, Dems already raised taxes. How about you stick to that rather than make up stuff. Not that it will work to save Bruce Rauner, the country’s least popular governor.
OW, Rauner continues to threaten State workers and their families. See “invigorated discipline” which essentially turns every workplace into a hostile environment. It’s become untenable for tier one employees. Or so I hear
Yeah I can’t say I’m for Ives, but some party of me has to believe she wouldn’t quite be as bad as Rauner, regardless she’d likely get creamed in the general with some of the stuff she’s said over the years. If IL still had a pro-life Republican party though I can’t see how Rauner could ever win the primary.
==JB is for the fair tax that would increase taxes on the wealthy, but give a tax cut to 80-90% of tax filers.==
Considering the bottom 3rd of taxpayers don’t pay state income taxes after deductions and credits, I can’t imagine what kind of tax cut they’d get beyond zero. The other 45% of that subset of taxpayers gets you up to those earning $75,000, but then you start hitting the segment of the population that pays high property taxes.
I can’t imagine any tax cut will be beyond nominal. It most definitely will not exceed the 1.2 percentage point increase.
==Can you list any bills passed by the House over the objection of Labor and Trial lawyers?==
There was the one that took away free health insurance for retirees that the SC said was unconstitutional and Tier II for labor. For the trial lawyers, the GA has passed a couple of caps on pain and suffering and emotional distress damages that the SC has also shot down. But nothing that happened before Rauner matters to Raunerites. (Or is it that, if it ain’t in a Rauner/Proft/IPI release, it can’t be true?)
===But nothing that happened before Rauner matters to Raunerites.===
… unless it’s “decades” of whatever Rauner thinks will gin up hatred and divisiveness between labor and “taxpayers”, city and “downstate”, haves and have nots.
The recollection of Raunerites revolves around narratives, negative to history, dismissive if it’s truth… to fallacy, and “legislation” is always in absolute….
… like Madigan never… when it comes to Labor and Trial Lawyers…
I must have read the topic of this post wrong. I thought it was about Pritzker’s position on taxes. The comments of course focused on Rauner, with the usual protagonists bleating back and forth adding nothing new. After a break of several days you would think they might offer something new. Maybe a Bret Baier quote or something similar.
As for JB’s position on taxes, of course he wants to raise them. He may not like to pay them, as evidenced by toiletgate, but he wants you to pay up quickly. How else can he support all those pesky campaign promises.
Anyone who thinks they will see a nickel from JB in terms of a tax cut is smoking the marijuana he is anxious to legalize. You simply can’t tax the 1% enough so that you can lower everyone else’s tax bill. No doubt, we need a lot more revenue to cover the pension bills that continue to accrue. And it sure would be nice if some of the critical state services could be provided instead of scaled back. You will be looking at a 7.99 percent flat tax for that to happen.
While not a good thing to say if you want votes, at least he is honest about what may have to occur. I respect that a lot more than the Governor’s phony rhetoric about wanting to repeal the tax increase when that obviously cannot happen (unless of course the Governor is happy with the status quo of the state not paying its bills).
===As for JB’s position on taxes, of course he wants to raise them. He may not like to pay them, as evidenced by toiletgate, but he wants you to pay up quickly. How else can he support all those pesky campaign promises.===
“How else can he support all those pesky campaign promises.”
Well… then hmm…
===No doubt, we need a lot more revenue to cover the pension bills that continue to accrue. And it sure would be nice if some of the critical state services could be provided instead of scaled back===
So… You think we should pay our bills, provide services, pay for them, but it’s bad to point out that taxes would need to be raised… “Because … campaign promises”?
Pick. A. Lane.
Maybe you need that break to figure out who’s on your lawn, should you yell at them for being on said lawn or think that the lawn needs someone on it anyway, LOL
I don’t disagree that it is better to be honest, but I don’t think it is honesty when JB knows he can’t fix the state by taxing the 1%. He is pandering to a wide base by implying that only the mega wealthy will bail out this state.
And I don’t think he believes he can deliver on free health care and fixing the opiod addiction either, not without increasing taxes significantly, by including retirement income as taxable.
This isn’t about the current govornor, it’s about the person who promises so much more but can’t tell us how he will deliver it.
Lucky Pierre == JB and Mike Madigan believe Trial lawyers and Unions should have veto power over all legislation in Illinois.
if you think Illinois needs drastic reforms to our business environment and government and and not just more tax increases you should vote for Rauner and Republican legislators. ==
What government reform has Rauner offered other than term limits? And why does anyone think will rein in labor? California has had term limits for decades, and its public employee unions are doing just fine. I’m not sure if you would call property tax freezes a government reform, but California public employee unions have thrived under Proposition 13, which has been around almost as long as Madigan.
What government reform has Rauner advocated for besides term limits?
Redistricting reform
Pension reform
Government consolidation of our over 7,000 units of local government
Worker’s compensation reform- governments all across Illinois pay this
Local control
===Worker’s compensation reform- governments all across Illinois pay this Local control===
So, Rauner believes in local control so much, Rauber wants to usurp local control of collective bargaining and prevailing wage… with property tax relief?
Hmm.
Oh… All that “reforming”… Rauner’s own numbers weighed in at 1.4% or $500+ million in actual growth.
Not quite… “robust”… given how disturbing the required Labor wants are required… but…
“Pension Reform” is one of the most abused phrases in recent Illinois history. In Rauner’s case, every proposal he introduced or supported was either unconstitutional, would “save” far less than touted, or both.
Arthur the Governor said he would support President Cullerton’s pension bill that passed the Democratic Senate but has not been called for a vote by Speaker Madigan or ruled on by the Illinois Supreme Court
Perhaps you need a refresher course on civics, courts and legislatures decide these things not interested parties
===Governor said he would support President Cullerton’s pension bill that passed the Democratic Senate but has not been called for a vote by Speaker Madigan or ruled on by the Illinois Supreme Court===
Asked and answered, too many times.
Rauner can find 60, embarrass Speaker Madigan to call the bill.
Rauner hasn’t. Rauner is a passive bystander. Get 60, then you call us. Otherwise, asked and answered. Again.
LP, the Cullerton pension bill as modified to satisfy Rauner is a forced reduction that will get found unconstitutional if ever passed. Everybody except the discredited Sidley group agrees on that.
There are legal pension reform bills out there in the hopper … but they save almost nothing, and some versions will most likely cost more that the existing Tier 2.
Rauner only wants to do pension theft because (a) that is all he knows how to do and (b) that is the only way to save serious money.
- David - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:20 am:
To pay for Rauners Medicaid debacle?
- Max Bayer - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:23 am:
More reason to nominate someone else. JB already has a corporatist image. As a lifelong democrat myself, I’d have a hard time voting for Pritzker.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:26 am:
===More reason to nominate someone else. JB already has a corporatist image===
Define “corporatist” image.
Thanks.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:30 am:
Good thing Rauner vetoed that tic hike.
The bipartisan override of not only the tax hike, but the state’s budget, Rauner’s destructive ways are clearly seen with vetoes aimed to hurt social services, higher education, and state agencies.
Rauner has failed Illinois, Rauner has vetoed the existence of state government for 3 full fiscal years.
Rauner vetoes, that’s Rauner want for Illinois to fail.
Don’t be fooled.
- Max Bayer - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:32 am:
=== Define “corporatist” image.
Thanks. ===
Being caught on an FBI tape trying to weasel a treasury position from blagojevich, having a history of being accused of mistreating workers, and blaming Illinois’ problems on the current governor rather than offering any solid solutions.
You’re welcome.
- Anotheretiree - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:38 am:
The Tax increase wasn’t enough vs our debt and obligations. The GOP always seems to have a problem with math.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:39 am:
===Being caught on an FBI tape trying to weasel a treasury position from blagojevich, having a history of being accused of mistreating workers, and blaming Illinois’ problems on the current governor rather than offering any solid solutions===
LOL… let’s break this down…
“Being caught on an FBI tape trying to weasel a treasury position from Blagojevich”
It’s wasn’t a “treasury” position, it was the Treasurer of Illinois.
… which Pritzker refused to give a quid pro quo, was never appointed or otherwise “made”… “treasury”… and the FBI, US Attorney, no one talked to, questioned, deposed, Pritzker, and you know of the recording by a leak, not part of any legal process.
“having a history of being accused of mistreating workers”
Rauner laid off workers, giving “gift cards” and had one case of a former CEO stating Rauner not only threatened them but their family…
“..,and blaming Illinois’ problems on the current governor rather than offering any solid solutions”
… which is the “Pat Quinn fails” playbook, pushing Rauner thru the finish line, to victory.
If you had any clue… LOL
- City Zen - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:39 am:
Messaging: I think the phrase “not enough” is a strong one as it segues well into “never enough”. Get people to question if something will ever stop, like a runaway train.
Production: Good framing. I also like the blurring effect in the ad. Makes me feel like I’m in the Matrix. And if we are in the Matrix, can the bots reboot to 1970 and change a thing or two?
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:41 am:
=== If you had any clue… LOL ===
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:42 am:
===Rauner laid off workers, giving “gift cards” and had one case of a former CEO stating Rauner not only threatened them but their family…===
Does that excuse Pritzker then?
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:42 am:
I trust all of these party committee flacks gave thanks over the weekend to having jobs.
As a class, they’re D-List awful, one-trick ponies and not good at it.
- Max Bayer - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:43 am:
=== If you had any clue… LOL === Regardless, the record would show someone morally incompetent to hold office. Rauner and JB Pritzker are practically one and the same at this point, even by your comparisons, at least we know what to expect from Rauner. I wouldn’t trust JB to be a city dogcatcher.
- huh - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:44 am:
Max, JB is for the fair tax that would increase taxes on the wealthy, but give a tax cut to 80-90% of tax filers. All of the Democrats running for
Governor support this proposal, as do most of the voters in Illinois.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:45 am:
===Does that excuse Pritzker then?===
Nope.
But if we wanna play “what about”-ism with “corporatist” when the meaning cited is…
… a leaked tape…
I do wonder why Labor seems to have no problem lining up and being counted with Pritzker.
My left-handed point, if Pritzker has such a poor record, ya should tell Labor that.
lol
- Max Bayer - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:47 am:
=== My left-handed point, if Pritzker has such a poor record, ya should tell Labor that.
lol ===
Yes because the big Chicago unions represent the other 90% of the state.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:49 am:
===Regardless===
Oh boy.
“Other than that… ”
===Rauner and JB Pritzker are practically one and the same at this point, even by your comparisons, at least we know what to expect from Rauner.===
lol, tell that to Labor.
Rauner wants to end prevailing wage and collective bargaining.
Prizker, Pritzker doesn’t.
“Practically” the same? End unions or preserve unions.
Hmm. That’s not the same.
===I wouldn’t trust JB to be a city dogcatcher.===
Next time, just say “that” with a silly drive by so I can just giggle.
- A Jack - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:49 am:
So the RGA is giving their interpretation of a News-Gazette article that gives its interpretation of a Crain’s article.
Instead of wasting my time with interpretations of interpretations, the RGA should be looking for a candidate who can actually deliver in realistic business reform.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:52 am:
===Yes because the big Chicago unions represent the other 90% of the state.===
It’s part and parcel of the Democratic base, and a group Rauner got 2 in 5 households in 2014
Are you anti-Labor and anti-Chicago?
Are you sure you’re a Democrat?
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 10:57 am:
JB and Mike Madigan believe Trial lawyers and Unions should have veto power over all legislation in Illinois.
If you think that has been good for Illinois you should vote for them and the Democrats running for the office.
if you think Illinois needs drastic reforms to our business environment and government and and not just more tax increases you should vote for Rauner and Republican legislators.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:03 am:
===JB and Mike Madigan believe Trial lawyers and Unions should have veto power over all legislation in Illinois.===
Madigan had mixed reviews with Labor, then came Rauner.
To say Madigan has been the #1 go-to person for Labor is disingenuous.
If you want to argue the Trial Lawyers, when I do, I get “Med Society” and “Doctors” as the Dems pivot. Was like that for a long time, that’s true as well.
Problem is, that pesky 60/30 dynamic.
To this…
===if you think Illinois needs drastic reforms to our business environment and government and and not just more tax increases you should vote for Rauner and Republican legislators.===
Raunerites vote against higher education, funding state universities, even paying special services for contracts that were signed.
The Brave 15 and Perfect 10, real republicans concerned with saving Illinois are leaving, forcing the choice to actually be Raunerism/Trumpism vs. Democrats… not Republicans… but Raunerites.
- A Jack - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:10 am:
Well LP, in three years Rauner has failed at business reform. There was plenty of non-union business reform that could have been attempted. Union jobs are a small percentage of actual business labor of this and all states. But Rauner has a personal vendetta against unions. Rauner has failed miserably at achievable business reforms by pursuing his vendetta. Rauner needs to go.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:14 am:
Can you list any bills passed by the House over the objection of Labor and Trial lawyers?
Be specific.
You could also mention any bills that left the rules committee over the objection of labor and trial lawyers.
Why are so many of the brave 15 not brave enough to run for reelection?
Because it is impossible to argue Illinois does not need reform of our government or business environment and all we need is more tax hikes.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:15 am:
===Can you list any bills passed by the House over the objection of Labor and Trial lawyers?===
Oh, come on. Seriously?
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:18 am:
LP:
I was watching a documentary on Reagan over the Thanksgiving break and one of the things that stood out to me was his ability to compromise with Tip O’Neill. Reagan didn’t keep pushing for the same thing over and over when he couldn’t get something passed. He moved on to other things. That’s what good leaders do. They don’t keep up the same mantra year in and year out and then complain that they are a victim because they can’t get their way.
But you and the Governor? What do you do? You play the victim and drone on about “reforms” that can’t be passed as the Governor envisions them. Instead of the incessant crying about not getting what you want how about the Governor figure out how to actually govern? That would be a change.
Why in the world would I vote for a guy who has proven he cannot get anything done and his only “solution” is to play the victim and blame everyone else. The political landscape isn’t going to change in the General Assembly after the next election. The Democrats will still be in control. I think I’m going to take a pass at voting for a guy who simply is going to engage in more of the same victimhood.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:19 am:
==over the objection of Labor==
Ever heard of Tier II? Failure to appropriate funds for back pay owed to union workers? That’s just two off the top of my head.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:19 am:
That was me above
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:21 am:
Oh, and LP, I’m getting close to calling the police for you. The amount of times you are victimized certainly requires a police report.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:23 am:
===
Why are so many of the brave 15 not brave enough to run for reelection?
Because it is impossible to argue Illinois does not need reform of our government or business environment and all we need is more tax hikes.===
No. Keep up.
Rauner made it clear.
“I don’t want any $&@#% problems”
They are facing Raunerite challenges, even Proft challenges, but not Republican challenges.
What you want to say is “voters”, the reality is the millions of Raunerism, or the millions of Proft… those aren’t Republican push-backs.
The push-back is… being a Republican and saving Illinois from
Raunerism. Rauner didn’t like that. Ask Ms. Wheeler.
Ms. Wheeler felt Raunerism should continue and should keep destroying Illinois. Ms. Wheeler is also leaving. Not soon enough for Illinois, but leaving all the same.
Raunerism is about destroying Illinois, support it, or Rauner destroys you.
Proft is upset Republicans abandoned Rauner, but is also upset with Rauner, which makes Proft’s money machine hum.
===Can you list any bills passed by the House over the objection of Labor and Trial lawyers?
Be specific.
You could also mention any bills that left the rules committee over the objection of labor and trial lawyers===
Your assertion means you know of these bills.
You should use these bills to make YOUR point. That’s how things work.
Since I said…
===Madigan had mixed reviews with Labor, then came Rauner.
To say Madigan has been the #1 go-to person for Labor is disingenuous.
If you want to argue the Trial Lawyers, when I do, I get “Med Society” and “Doctors” as the Dems pivot. Was like that for a long time, that’s true as well.===
I’ve conceded a few points, but you either knew that, or can’t read.
- TMYK - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:34 am:
So, “corporatist” doesn’t mean “Jewish”?
Check marked.
- Blue dog dem - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:37 am:
‘Corporatist’-'one who espouses the idea that consumers will be forced to pay whatever is charged because there is no other game in town. Ex. Public utilities, pro sports teams and insurance companies.
- Generic Drone - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:47 am:
Lucky P. It’s clear you despise labor as much as you despise Madigan. You must believe we are one and the same. Well I got news for ya. Downstate labor wants Madigan gone. Just right after we get rid of Rauner. For now, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Stop generalizing. Madigan and Quinn tried to screw us over. We have not forgotten.
- JB13 - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 11:59 am:
So, knowing Pritzker “doesn’t want to raise taxes on the middle class” will certainly make me feel much better when he actually does. How about you?
- Jimbo - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:03 pm:
You know, rga, Dems already raised taxes. How about you stick to that rather than make up stuff. Not that it will work to save Bruce Rauner, the country’s least popular governor.
- Jimbo - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:06 pm:
OW, Rauner continues to threaten State workers and their families. See “invigorated discipline” which essentially turns every workplace into a hostile environment. It’s become untenable for tier one employees. Or so I hear
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:09 pm:
You can see the Pritzker strategy very clearly.
A one paragraph press release with two mentions of Donald Trump and nothing about restoring citizens faith in Illinois Government.
He is running on resisting Trump not fixing Illinois.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:10 pm:
- Jimbo -
You make a good point, especially in the micro of the Primary, and places like Springfield/Sangamon County… or state university areas… prisons…
…
Will state workers, areas heavily populated with state workers, will they pull Raunerite ballots and vote Ives.
Possible. Very possible.
Then Rauner, if he wins, as expected, will know where the bad pockets of discontent exist.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
===A one paragraph press release with two mentions of Donald Trump===
Virginia showed Trump isn’t all that great in the statewide, in “blue” states.
It would be utter malpractice not to link the sitting President during ANY midterm of ANY president.
Trump is just that toxic.
Like Rauner.
- Skeptic - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
You can see the Rauner strategy very clearly.
A one paragraph press release with two mentions of Madigan and nothing about restoring citizens faith in Illinois Government.
There, fixed it for you.
- Jimbo - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:14 pm:
OW -
Yeah I can’t say I’m for Ives, but some party of me has to believe she wouldn’t quite be as bad as Rauner, regardless she’d likely get creamed in the general with some of the stuff she’s said over the years. If IL still had a pro-life Republican party though I can’t see how Rauner could ever win the primary.
- Jimbo - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:15 pm:
Also Virginia is barely blue while Illinois is straight up indigo
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
–…restoring citizens faith in government.–
Rauner hasnt done that yet? What’s he waiting for, The Rapture? Where’s your messiah now?
How did he fail, you think? Maybe all those lies and betrayals the likes of Ives, McSweeney and Proft are always talking about?
Being 50% off on that Medicaid estimate probably doesn’t lead to an epiphany of belief, either.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
===If IL still had a pro-life Republican party though I can’t see how Rauner could ever win the primary.===
Diana Rauner controls the Raunerite social agenda, an agenda that now has taken over where the ILGOP had one.
Included;
Destroy social services not named The Ounce, see who survives..
Higher education must be starved to reduce universities and educators options for Illinoisans…
Ultra-Left, taxpayer paid abortion on demand…
Sanctuary state status…
All these, just these, Raunerism… there’s no 80% Republican leeway.
Rauner wants to be a liberal Democratic governor that just despises Labor to the Nth degree, and close higher education to the masses where they can.
That’s Bruce and Diana Rauner.
- Jimbo - Ives may be a better choice, if she won “all the way”, but now, Ives helps Rauner, and this destructive agenda.
Crazy, all definitions and intended takes on the whole thing, I guess.
- City Zen - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
==JB is for the fair tax that would increase taxes on the wealthy, but give a tax cut to 80-90% of tax filers.==
Considering the bottom 3rd of taxpayers don’t pay state income taxes after deductions and credits, I can’t imagine what kind of tax cut they’d get beyond zero. The other 45% of that subset of taxpayers gets you up to those earning $75,000, but then you start hitting the segment of the population that pays high property taxes.
I can’t imagine any tax cut will be beyond nominal. It most definitely will not exceed the 1.2 percentage point increase.
- Jimbo - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
State taxes are paid on almost every dollar after personal exemption. Federal taxes aren’t. Seriously?
- Jimbo - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
Sorry ow, don’t think it was posted but I misinterpreted your comment
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:44 pm:
- Jimbo -
It’s all good, no matter the circumstance.
Looking at things going on, sometimes we all, I know I do, read an analysis and take it as one’s position.
I usually have to ask, having been ok your end often.
Don’t see it, but, whatever it is/was, all good.
Back to the Post, and the Update…
I do wish if a campaign, Pritzker’s or others, want to tie in Trump, they’d do it with Rauner more… visually.
Like side by side, visually.
Images, if you will.
- Whatever - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:45 pm:
==Can you list any bills passed by the House over the objection of Labor and Trial lawyers?==
There was the one that took away free health insurance for retirees that the SC said was unconstitutional and Tier II for labor. For the trial lawyers, the GA has passed a couple of caps on pain and suffering and emotional distress damages that the SC has also shot down. But nothing that happened before Rauner matters to Raunerites. (Or is it that, if it ain’t in a Rauner/Proft/IPI release, it can’t be true?)
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:54 pm:
===But nothing that happened before Rauner matters to Raunerites.===
… unless it’s “decades” of whatever Rauner thinks will gin up hatred and divisiveness between labor and “taxpayers”, city and “downstate”, haves and have nots.
The recollection of Raunerites revolves around narratives, negative to history, dismissive if it’s truth… to fallacy, and “legislation” is always in absolute….
… like Madigan never… when it comes to Labor and Trial Lawyers…
Until someone calls them on it.
- SSL - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 12:56 pm:
I must have read the topic of this post wrong. I thought it was about Pritzker’s position on taxes. The comments of course focused on Rauner, with the usual protagonists bleating back and forth adding nothing new. After a break of several days you would think they might offer something new. Maybe a Bret Baier quote or something similar.
As for JB’s position on taxes, of course he wants to raise them. He may not like to pay them, as evidenced by toiletgate, but he wants you to pay up quickly. How else can he support all those pesky campaign promises.
Anyone who thinks they will see a nickel from JB in terms of a tax cut is smoking the marijuana he is anxious to legalize. You simply can’t tax the 1% enough so that you can lower everyone else’s tax bill. No doubt, we need a lot more revenue to cover the pension bills that continue to accrue. And it sure would be nice if some of the critical state services could be provided instead of scaled back. You will be looking at a 7.99 percent flat tax for that to happen.
What a deal.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:12 pm:
==of course he wants to raise them==
While not a good thing to say if you want votes, at least he is honest about what may have to occur. I respect that a lot more than the Governor’s phony rhetoric about wanting to repeal the tax increase when that obviously cannot happen (unless of course the Governor is happy with the status quo of the state not paying its bills).
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:27 pm:
Hmm…
===As for JB’s position on taxes, of course he wants to raise them. He may not like to pay them, as evidenced by toiletgate, but he wants you to pay up quickly. How else can he support all those pesky campaign promises.===
“How else can he support all those pesky campaign promises.”
Well… then hmm…
===No doubt, we need a lot more revenue to cover the pension bills that continue to accrue. And it sure would be nice if some of the critical state services could be provided instead of scaled back===
So… You think we should pay our bills, provide services, pay for them, but it’s bad to point out that taxes would need to be raised… “Because … campaign promises”?
Pick. A. Lane.
Maybe you need that break to figure out who’s on your lawn, should you yell at them for being on said lawn or think that the lawn needs someone on it anyway, LOL
- SSL - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:27 pm:
I don’t disagree that it is better to be honest, but I don’t think it is honesty when JB knows he can’t fix the state by taxing the 1%. He is pandering to a wide base by implying that only the mega wealthy will bail out this state.
And I don’t think he believes he can deliver on free health care and fixing the opiod addiction either, not without increasing taxes significantly, by including retirement income as taxable.
This isn’t about the current govornor, it’s about the person who promises so much more but can’t tell us how he will deliver it.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
==it’s about the person who promises so much more but can’t tell us how he will deliver it.==
Which one are we talking about? lol
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
===it’s about the person who promises so much more but can’t tell us how he will deliver it.===
… Which is exactly what Rauner himself has done for 3 years.
Keep up.
- Shytown - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:47 pm:
Will someone come wake me up when silly season is over? I’m not sure how many of these weak hits from the IL GOP I can take.
- SSL - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
Wow, some of you are so insecure. Not sure what the reason is but there are many well trained professionals who can help you.
If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your families. They deserve it.
- Whatever - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
Lucky Pierre == JB and Mike Madigan believe Trial lawyers and Unions should have veto power over all legislation in Illinois.
if you think Illinois needs drastic reforms to our business environment and government and and not just more tax increases you should vote for Rauner and Republican legislators. ==
What government reform has Rauner offered other than term limits? And why does anyone think will rein in labor? California has had term limits for decades, and its public employee unions are doing just fine. I’m not sure if you would call property tax freezes a government reform, but California public employee unions have thrived under Proposition 13, which has been around almost as long as Madigan.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:40 pm:
What government reform has Rauner advocated for besides term limits?
Redistricting reform
Pension reform
Government consolidation of our over 7,000 units of local government
Worker’s compensation reform- governments all across Illinois pay this
Local control
A lot more than term limits
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:45 pm:
===Worker’s compensation reform- governments all across Illinois pay this Local control===
So, Rauner believes in local control so much, Rauber wants to usurp local control of collective bargaining and prevailing wage… with property tax relief?
Hmm.
Oh… All that “reforming”… Rauner’s own numbers weighed in at 1.4% or $500+ million in actual growth.
Not quite… “robust”… given how disturbing the required Labor wants are required… but…
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 6:15 pm:
“Pension Reform” is one of the most abused phrases in recent Illinois history. In Rauner’s case, every proposal he introduced or supported was either unconstitutional, would “save” far less than touted, or both.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 6:43 pm:
Arthur the Governor said he would support President Cullerton’s pension bill that passed the Democratic Senate but has not been called for a vote by Speaker Madigan or ruled on by the Illinois Supreme Court
Perhaps you need a refresher course on civics, courts and legislatures decide these things not interested parties
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 6:51 pm:
===Governor said he would support President Cullerton’s pension bill that passed the Democratic Senate but has not been called for a vote by Speaker Madigan or ruled on by the Illinois Supreme Court===
Asked and answered, too many times.
Rauner can find 60, embarrass Speaker Madigan to call the bill.
Rauner hasn’t. Rauner is a passive bystander. Get 60, then you call us. Otherwise, asked and answered. Again.
#DoYourJob
- RNUG - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 7:56 pm:
LP, the Cullerton pension bill as modified to satisfy Rauner is a forced reduction that will get found unconstitutional if ever passed. Everybody except the discredited Sidley group agrees on that.
There are legal pension reform bills out there in the hopper … but they save almost nothing, and some versions will most likely cost more that the existing Tier 2.
Rauner only wants to do pension theft because (a) that is all he knows how to do and (b) that is the only way to save serious money.
- Jimbo - Tuesday, Nov 28, 17 @ 12:33 pm:
RNUG finally said it