* DGA…
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Governor Bruce Rauner is “applauding” Congressional Republicans’ efforts to pass a tax plan, which will raise middle-class taxes while cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans. Rauner said, “I hope they come through” in an interview with Tom Miller on WJPF radio. The Sun-Times reported that “moments later” the Illinois Republican Party, largely funded by Rauner, took to Twitter to defend the plan.
Numerous independent analyses, including by the Congressional Budget Office, have found that the GOP bill would raise taxes on middle- and lower-class households in order to cut taxes for the wealthiest. The latest analysis of the Senate bill shows:
By 2027, a majority of Americans earning less than $75,000 would pay more in taxes;
By 2027, 60% of middle-class American earners would face a tax increase;
Nearly all of the top 0.1% of earners would receive an average $208,060 tax cut;
Health care provisions in the bill would force up health care premiums on Illinois residents buying their own insurance. By 2027, a 27-year old would pay $745 more in premiums, and a 60-year old $1,928 more.
Costs are going to go up for middle-class Illinoisans, and Rauner’s “applauding” the effort.
“Bruce Rauner’s hypocrisy knows no bounds,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “By siding with President Trump and Washington Republicans, Rauner has proven his campaign slogans to be nothing more than a farce. Rauner just endorsed a plan that will raise taxes on middle-class families all to support a tax break for the wealthiest Illinoisans. No wonder Rauner wanted to hide his real views for so long.”
* SEIU Healthcare…
On Wednesday, Governor Rauner went on the record to support Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans’ tax plan, saying, “I’m applauding Congress. I hope they come through.”
That plan would net Rauner an estimated $300 million in tax breaks according to an analysis SEIU Healthcare Illinois’ research division conducted last month.
The GOP tax plan will be paid for by slashing Medicaid and other federal health care supports and with tax hikes on a majority of all families.
SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley issued the following in response to Rauner’s support of the GOP tax plan:
“Today, Gov. Rauner showed his true colors. He’s not the Carhartt jacket, $18 watch wearing ‘every day man’ that he wants us to believe. He’s a billionaire who would rather have Illinois families give up their healthcare to pay for HIS massive $300 million tax cut provided by Trump and the Republican Congress. Rauner doesn’t need another mansion, but families – children, people with disabilities and the elderly — need healthcare provided through Medicaid, which would be drastically cut and lead to devastating circumstances for millions if Rauner gets his wish.”
* Tribune…
Was the governor endorsing the Senate version of the plan or the House version? (The Senate version would eliminate the deduction for property taxes, which tend to be higher in Illinois than elsewhere. The House version would keep the deduction, but limit it to $10,000.)
Neither, apparently. Rauner spokeswoman Patty Schuh said the governor was expressing “general” support for reducing taxes and hopes Congress is able to “deliver when all said and done.”
*** UPDATE *** So, he’s not applauding them today?…
- Montrose - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:13 am:
I would like a governor that did a better job of articulating how proposals in Congress would impact the state he is running. Or just in any way, shape, or form showing he understands what is going on.
- PJ - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:15 am:
This will effect more Illinois residents than any worker’s comp proposal ever could. Yet he can’t be bothered to make a specific, coherent statement on his position.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:20 am:
Rauner is governor of a state that has serious property tax and income tax implications with either tax bill, or a compromise bill where both have issues.
The Trump-Rauner marrying of their politics could be made whole with Rauner embracing this tax plan.
Saying nothing… reminds him and us all… Rauner can try to run from Trump, but can’t run from his own words.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:21 am:
Well I’m glad Rauner’s position is now clear.
- Scamp640 - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:23 am:
It is hard to believe that so many Trump and Rauner voters continue to support state and federal Republican policies that will clearly hurt their checkbooks and even their health.
It is clear that income tax reform will result in higher taxes for many working class and middle class residents of Illinois. And the Republican-dominated House Ways and Means Committee is working to cut payments to Critical Access Hospitals in rural communities. This will reduce the services being provided in rural hospitals.
Why can’t Rauner speak clearly about these issues affecting the people of his state?
- Ron - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:26 am:
The sooner we can be rid of Trump, is not soon enough.
- Anotheretiree - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:27 am:
All of the bad parts of this bill are indeed true, as is the disproportionate effect on Illinois’. In addition, there is the horrible timing. Just as Illinois isn’t prepared for the next recession, this uses up the stimulus benefits of tax cuts during full employment. Add to that the low interest rates leaving the Fed with no bullets, leads me to believe the next recession will be harsh and esp harsh on Illinois.
- NoGifts - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:35 am:
Reduced state funding for higher education, leading to increased tuition then add a tax for tuition waivers for graduate students. That’s an awesome way to build our future.
- Chicago 20 - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:53 am:
- “That’s an awesome way to build our future.”
Rauner is only concerned about Rauner’s future not Illinois future.
- cailleach - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 12:00 pm:
RE: higher ed. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. There is an element in the U.S. (and IL) that wants higher ed to be unaffordable for the lower/middle classes because less educated people are easier to scare, easier to fool, easier to control.
- Juvenal - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
I am not sure Shuh’s statement counts as a “clarification.” I for one am less clear now as to what the Governor hopes to see in terms of policy.
- s - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
1. Is there ANYTHING Unfit4ILGov DOESN’T have to clarify?
Ever?
2. Billionaire Brucie.
Of Course he likes the ‘*F* Taxpayers for the 1%’ers’ bill.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
Rauner… was expressing “general” support for reducing taxes and hopes Congress is able to “deliver when all said and done” + Congress is “not where they need to be yet” =
The Great Disappearing Man Act
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
Yes, no or maybe.
The governor’s position is clear.