I will win the general election. I will win the general election. And if we don’t win the general election, nothing else matters. If we go back to being a one-party state that’s controlled by one person, we don’t have a future. We don’t have a future.
You know what will happen? We will get a massive income tax hike. The candidates controlled by Madigan, all of them have said, ‘The answer to our problems is a massive income tax hike.’ And they say ‘Let’s tax the rich. Let’s tax the rich.’ Well, first of all, you watch business owners flood out of this state when that happens, and our unemployment rate’s gonna go through the roof.
But also, there’s no such thing as a ‘just tax the rich’ plan. No such thing. Doesn’t happen. What happens is the middle class gets socked whenever you do an income tax hike. And if you want proof of that, and I need you guys to focus on the truth on this, look at the states that have done a graduated income tax. Ask New Jersey how it’s gone. New Jersey put in a big graduated income tax to try to tax the rich. You know what? Their middle class, you make $40,000. $40,000 is not a high income. It’s a middle class income. You make $40,000 in New Jersey, you pay six and a half percent. OK?
In New York, graduated income tax. They say ‘Let’s tax the rich.’ In New York, you have a middle class income, you make $40,000, you pay seven and a half percent.
And, you look at the numbers. Look at Massachusetts. Look at Minnesota. Some of the folks have said, ‘Minnesota. They’re Midwest. They’re a farm state.’ You know, look at them. They’ve got a, you make $40,000 a year in Minnesota, you pay seven percent income tax.
And they, and those, New Jersey can’t balance their budget. New York can’t balance their budget. California can’t balance the budget. You make $40,000 in California, you pay eight percent income tax. $40,000.
They will sock the middle class with a tax hike that Madigan and his puppets want and it will destroy Illinois.
We need to be a two-party state. We have to win the general election. And Republicans have to have a voice in the remap. There’s gonna be a remap drawn in 2020, and if it’s not a two-party map, we don’t have a future. Then Madigan will consolidate even more control under one person and we will not have a future, ladies and gentlemen. That’s what’s at stake in this election.
- WasAnon - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
Why does he repeat himself. Why does he repeat himself, ok?
- Arsenal - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
Whereas Bruce Rauner will “applaud” Donald Trump’s plan to tax the middle class. TOTALLY different, you guys.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see where Jimmy Two Times touted anything about himself and how he would make things better.
- One hand //ing - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
I wouldn’t assume Illinois voters feel like the party that put Trump in the White House deserves much of a future
- Romeo - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
“Look at Minnesota. Some of the folks have said, ‘Minnesota. They’re Midwest. They’re a farm state.’ You know, look at them. They’ve got a, you make $40,000 a year in Minnesota, you pay seven percent income tax.”
–And in Minnesota, you don’t have a $6,000 property tax on a 1,700 sq. ft. house. And your groceries, medicine, and clothing are not taxed.
- Macbeth - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
If he’s not in charge, then why does any of this matter?
Ideally, voters would prefer someone *in* charge, someone who could actually change things. Rauner, apparently, is not this person.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:51 pm:
Yikes…
Rauner honestly and purposely sounds like an unhinged IPI Facebook commenter.
- Christopher - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:52 pm:
Nice try, Benedict Rauner.
- Big Joe - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:52 pm:
If that is the best that he can say, then he is toast. What a rambling babbler. How about touting all the things that he has accomplished in his term as Governor Junk.
- theCardinal - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
Maybe Brucie Two times two times is his street name? We are at 4.95% going to 6 to climb out the mess Illinois is in.(gotta pay the pensions someday too)$500 to a family of 4 is a lot of money to see wasted on paying of bad debt and pension liability to the binge feeding state.
- I’m done - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
Here we go with the puppets again.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
“Look at Minnesota.”
Please, let’s look at Minnesota, with median incomes much higher than Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, the Rauner model states. Minnesota raised the state income tax on highest earners, highest in the region, is doing very well economically, has a budget surplus and is a full union state.
- Ahoy! - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
He is 100% correct about the map issue if this party reverts back to a 1 party rule. By the way, our state was not doing well then either. Of course Rauner would have a much betters shot at stopping this 1 party rule if he would go d a better job at governing.
- Big Joe - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
Please, somebody help him count the strawberries.
- anon2 - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:55 pm:
For some reaon, Rauner makes no mention of the graduated income taxes in two contiguous states, Wisconsin and Missouri. BTW, Minnesota’s economy and state budget are doing much better than ours.
- Almost the Weekend - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:56 pm:
It doesn’t matter he’s not in charge. Sorry middle class
- anon2 - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
=== they will tax the middle class ===
When Madigan has proposed a millionaire’s surtax, Rauner opposes that too. Maybe the governor has a flexible definition of middleclass.
- Big JOe - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
And get him some ball bearings to juggle in his hand. I can’t believe that he thinks people will believe that a Millionaire tax will be unfair to middle class citizens. Is he serious?
- Honeybear - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:01 pm:
Ah, but here’s the deal.
The wealthy pay a heck of a lot more than they do now proportionally.
And it’s such a stupid myth that the rich will leave.
No they won’t.
They’ll stay right where they are in their Northshore home.
The Company is in Chicago remember?
They can so afford it.
Don’t think your small income logic applies to them.
If the American average is 1/8 inch
then the average CEO
Makes…………wait for it.
around 27ft out.
Go ahead
get your tape measure.
The wealthy are that much wealthier than we are.
- taxrate 62 - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:01 pm:
California cannot balance its budget? What? This guy is becoming a purveyor of fake news.
- Nick Name - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:03 pm:
Gov. Gaslight shouldn’t mention Minnesota. Last February, Minnesota predicted a $1.65 billion surplus for the coming two years, and they’ve had surpluses ever since Gov. Mark Dayton raised taxes. Raised taxes.
- The Way I See It - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:05 pm:
To his credit, when he was talking about how little $40K was, he managed to bite his lip and avoid shouting out, “You can barely buy a good bottle of wine for that! A trashcan van - yes! But good wine ….”
- Ron - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:05 pm:
IL has one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the entire nation. We need to cut before we worry about higher taxes. (Other than legalized pot)
- Ron - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
We get very little for that high tax burden.
- Juice - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
He probably shouldn’t mention Massachusetts either, since they have a flat tax.
And would be nice for the Governor to acknowledge the difference between marginal tax rate and effective tax rate, since the single filer in California making $40,000 would not actually be paying the 8% on hardly any of their income.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
===You know what will happen?===
What.
What will happen?
Geez Louise, Rauner talks like an 8-year old discussing a hypothetical of a science experiment that was not the assignment… assigned.
Here is the realty…
Rauner is running as an incumbent claiming that the last 3 years really didn’t exist, and he’s still around to stop a possible problem… ignoring his own failings.
It’s actually breathtaking to read, embarrassing for Rauner
- RNUG - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
Well, if you are going to continue the flat income tax with no other changes, it needs to be about 5.5% - 6%. So whatever happens, the middle class is going to get hit with an increase.
A progressive income tax would shift a bit of that burden off the poor and middle class to the wealthy. The question is where the line between “winners” and “losers” gets drawn; will it be $50,000 or $75,000 or $100,000 or $250,000?
As I noted in another post today, there needs to be specific brackets and rates proposed (yes, I know Ralph and the CTBA has done so) and debated as part of this campaign season.
The debate should also include elimination of corporate tax breaks, personal deductions, new service taxes, and possible inclusion of taxing retiree income.
Heck, even go so far as to put a progressive income tax constitutional amendment on the ballot. Then go for a second amendment to increase the income tax to support K-12 schools while mandating offsetting property tax relief through lower local school taxes. And a third amendment on legalizing and taxing marijuana.
Might as well change everything if we want to shake up Springfield.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
Throwed up his hands and said, “I’m not in charge”.
That’s completely irresponsible.
Get. out. now.
- anon2 - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
What Rauner never discusses is that the Illinois state and local tax system is one of the most regressive in the nation. A graduated income tax would make it slightly less regressive. Reducing regressive taxation is not on his top 100 priorities.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:25 pm:
This is all building to a “fantastic” Rauner budget presentation in February.
- Anon221 - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
Is the only thing Rauner is good for is as a political placeholder until the chance to re-map rolls around??? He’s just playing the “Hokey-Pokey” until then???
“There’s gonna be a remap drawn in 2020, and if it’s not a two-party map, we don’t have a future.” Rauner
The way he’s going at it today, his future in Illinois politics may be over by then. Here’s hoping.
- Anonymous - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
Maybe Rauner should review what is happening in North Carolina after cutting taxes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/what-happened-when-north-carolina-cut-taxes-like-the-gop-plans-to-for-the-country/2017/12/03/1b8ead74-d859-11e7-a841-2066faf731ef_story.html
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
===There’s gonna be a remap drawn in 2020, and if it’s not a two-party map, we don’t have a future.===
This is real.
Rauner will create a crisis to get a map to elect more… Raunerites.
This isn’t about Republicans, like it was with Bill Brady.
This IS about Rauner, Raunerites, and Bruce and Diana Rauner holding on to their $100+ million commitment to Raunerism, and destroying labor, closing state universities, and ruining social services not named The Ounce.
This isn’t a fight for a map for Illinois.
It’s for a Raunerite map that will make Bruce and Diana Rauner happy.
That’s what’s at play.
- City Zen - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:53 pm:
==Please, let’s look at Minnesota, with median incomes much higher than Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana…==
Don’t forget the least ethnically diverse state in that group and the only state of that group where the minority Asian population is about the same as the AA and Hispanic populations.
- Pundent - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:55 pm:
=I need you guys to focus on the truth on this=
He’s starting to sound very much like our commander in chief. When you don’t have facts on your side blame the media. Or create enough distrust in the “mainstream media” so you can redirect to your propaganda news sources.
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
===The debate should also include elimination of corporate tax breaks===
But RNUG, don’t you understand that will send businesses fleeing from the state creating massive unemployment? /s
- JS Mill - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
====Please, let’s look at Minnesota, with median incomes much higher than Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana…==
Don’t forget the least ethnically diverse state in that group and the only state of that group where the minority Asian population is about the same as the AA and Hispanic populations.==
In other words..let’s play whack-a-mole?
The states economy and growth is what it is. And that is growing with a budgetary surplus.
I never see you talk about the increasing economic disparity with Indiana and Wisconsin.
The gap between Illinois’ overall economic output and that of Indiana or Wisconsin (measured in GDP) is increasing not decreasing. Illinois economy is massive in comparison to both of those states and you would have to add in Iowa to equal the Illinois output.
So…what else do you have?
- City Zen - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:15 pm:
==So…what else do you have?==
Illinois doesn’t tax retirement income.
- City Zen - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:53 pm:
Something worth mentioning is that New Jersey has a much higher EITC than Illinois (35% of the federal benefit vs 10%).
You don’t need a graduated rate to make fairness. Just raise the EITC’s.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:05 pm:
“Don’t forget the least ethnically diverse state in that group and the only state of that group where the minority Asian population is about the same as the AA and Hispanic populations.”
That has nothing to do with the fact that a higher state income tax on the wealthy and full union rights didn’t hurt Minnesota. If those two factors are as bad as Rauner and others like him say they are, Minnesota would be a damaged state.
- Honeybadger - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
Is he auditioning for the part of Jimmy Two Times from the movie Goodfellas?
- Honeybadger - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:20 pm:
Instead of an educated ivy league education he sounds like a third grader on the playground
- RNUG - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
== Instead of an educated ivy league education he sounds like a third grader on the playground ==
He probably passed with a “gentleman’s C”
- Morty - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 7:04 pm:
Facts. Who needs ‘em? Who needs ‘em?
- Generic Drone - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 9:49 pm:
Its the republicans who are raising taxes on the middle class. Just look at all the tax breaks for small business owners that have been illininated on Trumps new tax plans. Talk about a big hit to the small businesses.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 6:43 am:
“We don’t have a future. We don’t have a future.”
You’ve made that very clear, Bruce.
– MrJM