Dear J.B. Pritzker,
I totally understand the campaign politics of not wanting to say what you think the income tax rates should be under a graduated tax structure. I also get why you won’t say what ought to be the income level at which people will begin paying a higher income tax rate than they do now.
Actually, nearly everyone understands your political calculation. It’s elementary. You don’t want to give the other side any ammunition to attack you.
I greatly dislike your reticence, but I understand it. And as we all know, Gov. Bruce Rauner has a particular fondness for twisting words, particularly when it comes to stuff like this.
Back in December of 2015, House Speaker Michael Madigan was asked what the income tax rate should be. It had automatically rolled back almost a year earlier and the state was in the throes of what would become a two-year standoff over what that rate should be and what anti-union measures Rauner could extract in exchange.
Madigan said a “good place to start,” would be where it was before the last tax hike had partially expired. “And starting there,” he said, “you can go in whatever direction you want to go.”
Rauner immediately pounced on Madigan for wanting to increase taxes and he’s repeated that line ever since, even though Madigan didn’t really say that. It’s still to this day one of the governor’s favorite attacks.
I also get why you wouldn’t answer Mary Ann Ahern’s question last week: “What does someone make who is middle class?”
If you laid out an estimate, Rauner would immediately twist it into making some point about how the middle class is gonna get whacked under your idea. Again, I don’t like what you’re doing, but I get it.
But, my dude, you need to come up with some sort of answer other than the evasive stuff you’ve been spouting whenever anyone approaches you on this general topic. It’s just painful to watch you dodge and weave and bob and duck, for sometimes minutes at a time.
You’re a smart guy and you do your homework, so you probably know all the statistics by heart about the relatively fragile economic realities of many middle-class folks, or the barriers to reaching middle-class status from the lower rungs of the income ladder.
Let’s face it, though, you were raised with money. You’ve never had to borrow money from your brother to take a bus to work. You’ve never had to worry about not being able to pay for health insurance. You’ve never had to decide which household bills to hold off paying because of an unexpected expense. You’ve never had to figure out how you’re going to pay off your student loans, while trying to save to pay for your kids’ college bills, or debate whether to beg your boss to let you leave work because your child is sick, or even whether you can afford to buy a car.
Instead of constantly and blatantly dodging the kabillion questions about your tax idea and the middle class, how about using the question as an opportunity to show you can at least empathize with people who are working hard to stay in the middle class or struggling mightily to get there, and/or perhaps pivot against a wealthy governor who made huge promises to middle-class taxpayers and hasn’t come through?
Or, at least just say something like this: “The dollar amount can range and depends on where you live, but if you’re working and worried about paying your mortgage and bills, good schools for your kids, affordable healthcare and safe streets, you’re middle class.”
Short and sweet. By the way, I stole that line from my blog commenter who goes by the name “Wordslinger.” He’s got an annual award named after him for a reason.
You kinda/sorta almost got there a couple of weeks ago when you unveiled your higher education plan, but it was so long and meandering. You’ve yet to succinctly state that you understand what the middle class is and what those folks deal with.
The last five polls have given you an average lead of 18.2 percentage points. Barring utter catastrophe (and these things do happen), you’re probably going to be our next governor. But if your non-answers on this general topic are any indication of how you intend to govern, I guarantee you’re gonna have a rough time.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:15 am:
I too am disappointed in Pritzker’s refusal to answer specific questions. That’s needless arrogance. Why be that way when you’re far ahead in polls? Pritzker needs to make some changes in these next few weeks, some corrections. Don’t be like Rauner, who takes no responsibility.
- Last Bull Moose - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:28 am:
I have consistently argued that Pritzker should stake out positions so he can claim a mandate to act. Quinn at least argued for a tax increase. Had he won, he would have been able to pass it.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:44 am:
Damned if you do; damned if you don’t and generally by a newsman or an opponent just looking for a headline and not prepared to vet any plan or proposal because it may be too long or take a little work.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:49 am:
Pritzker has inexplicably raised the question in millions of minds: “Is it possible we could go from Very Bad (Rauner) to Even Worse (Pritzker) in selecting a governor?” A question that should never even be in the realm of possibilities given the overall failure we have in office currently.
- Jocko - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:56 am:
At the very least, JB could bring up a couple states and give THEIR brackets as examples. I’ve seen $125K up to a million.
BTW - I’m sure the ILGOP is ready to entertain this discussion. /s
- Angry Republican - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:10 am:
JB should just say we are going to tax the rich. This is comparable to Rauner’s “waste, fraud, and abuse” saving $10B a year.
- low level - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:18 am:
More history: Rauner asked the Dems not to extend the temp income tax hike in Nov 2014. They accepted and It expired.
Rauner then commenced to talk about how corrupt they were and how they were to blame for everything starting Jan 2015 and continuing right until today
So I have no problem w Pritzker’s position. Had $18 watch Rauner made any effort to compromise, as his GOP predecessors had done, maybe I would agree Rich. But he hasnt.
- Annonin' - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:19 am:
Despite this heartfelt appeal JB is smart to be numbers free. Put out a number and both sides say too much, too little and GovJunk lies. JB would better with a total concentration on GovJunk SPENDIN’ all that awful tax hike cash while promisin’ a cut and property tax relief.
BTW if you need another yuk check Jimmy Dean Olsen’s support for a capitol plan in the Tribbie Trans writer puff piece.r
- Anon221 - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:26 am:
I’ll gladly trade in Rauner’s Pain for change for Pritzker’s Promise to work with both sides of the aisle on tax issues on November 6. I agree Prizker needs to work on a condensed message for this, but I’m not hung up on putting a definite number on what is “middle class”. There are too many factors that go into that equation for a definite numbers “soundbite”.
- Langhorne - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:36 am:
Pritzkers reticince about details is understandable. So is the constant chase for details. And rauners drumbeat. So, if you expect your key issue to be attacked, have a response.
Pritzker should have had a think tank, or academic economist, prepare an analysis of graduated income tax rates in other states. And an analysis of the constitutional issues involved. Thats the first thing that will occur when the real discussion starts. So do it now. Correction—do it months ago. Arms length, not a campaign product. And not applying any of the rates to illinois. Pritzker is right, that will be a matter of negotiation.
- Wondering Wendy - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:36 am:
Agree with Anonymous…..are we going to go to WORSE??? We know what we have to deal with now, but what will happen if he is Governor…..
- Smalls - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:53 am:
If I was up by 20 points in the polls after having stumbled over this question for months, I would continue with the stumbling and not answer the question. Short of a last minute #MeToo accusation, as long as he is still breathing on November 6th, he will be elected the next governor.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:20 am:
Pritzker has inexplicably raised the question in millions of minds: “Is it possible we could go from Very Bad (Rauner) to Even Worse (Pritzker) in selecting a governor?”
Nope. Try again.
- cannon649 - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:21 am:
1) The column is outstanding
2) Yes he is leading by a large number - he does not have say much but the way he does it sad
3) Buzz word JB appears to be worse than what we have - that is poor - Sorry you can sell something you can not repeat some one else’s’ answer
- Rod - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:37 am:
I do not believe that team JB has an answer for the question of tax rates by income brackets using any rational estimates for gross income going forward. He is wise not to answer. As for taxation on middle class vs high earners that is subject to income estimates too, clearly JB does not want to chase out every one earning $800,000 or more a year. So the tax burden placed on higher income individuals vs the middle class is going to be a balancing act.
- Perrid - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
@Jocko, that’s what Rep. Martwick did. I believe he took Wisconsin’s rates and put them in a bill in 2016, and just like Rich said, everyone blasted it and twisted it. Hck, they are still doing so.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:42 pm:
===“The dollar amount can range and depends on where you live, but if you’re working and worried about paying your mortgage and bills, good schools for your kids, affordable healthcare and safe streets, you’re middle class.”===
Nothing about saving for or surviving during retirement?
- Mama - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:49 pm:
Word, as always, you gave excellent advice, and I’m sure JB is smart enough to put it to good use.
- Mama - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:52 pm:
“what will happen if he (JB) is Governor….. ”
For one thing, vendors for state services will get paid.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:54 pm:
If you are financially secure day-to-day, week-to week, eat regular and get to choose the menus, and have a roof over your head, but are unsure of your retirement and fearful of how much will be lost if you lost your job, …or you or a family member got really, really sick, tomorrow… you’re Middle Class.
If you’re one missed pay check away from defaulting your mortgage or car loan…. you’re middle class.
If you clip coupons and spread your grocery shopping between three stores just to get all the best deals.. you’re middle class.
And there’s nothing there for Jeff Foxworthy to joke about.
It’s upper-class people that don’t face those issues every day.
And underclass people that struggle to even get started on having those things to worry about losing in the first place.
You don’t need to put a number on it. It’s a lifestyle. Are you secure, …or are you not?
Rauner and his friends are very, very secure.
- Mama - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:57 pm:
“Nothing about saving for or surviving during retirement? ”
Louis, word is talking about the average tax payers. If you don’t make enough money to pay all of your everyday bills, you should the heck don’t have any money to invest in retirement.
- M - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:00 pm:
== “Agree with Anonymous…..are we going to go to WORSE???”==
OMG Wendy, you cannot get worse than Rauner.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:06 pm:
===you cannot get worse than===
Things can always get worse.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:36 pm:
@Mama, I took those words to mean a starting point over the debate of who is middle class. Nothing about saving for retirement or somehow managing while missing a few paychecks?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
To the Post,
===Or, at least just say something like this: “The dollar amount can range and depends on where you live, but if you’re working and worried about paying your mortgage and bills, good schools for your kids, affordable healthcare and safe streets, you’re middle class.”
Short and sweet. By the way, I stole that line from my blog commenter who goes by the name “Wordslinger.” He’s got an annual award named after him for a reason.===
- Wordslinger - is the gold standard of what a commenter here, on Rich’s blog should be;
Funny, sharp, biting, honest to the moment and the Post, and thoughtful while being thought provoking and adding to a discussion, like in this instance, giving a floundering campaign a life vest idea. - Wordslinger - is the commenter that puts each comment in a light of what it could be. I’m constantly learning from his comments.
To the Post,
I’ve hammered the Pritzker Crew pretty hard. Good thing they don’t read my comments, but I’d offer - Wordslinger - and Rich up as honest analysis to look at. It may be after the election, but comments and thoughts, be they from Rich, other columnists, WTTW and news outlets, even commenters here… there isn’t a way to get around analysis
Why what Rich does, and allows in comments, is the open air of ideas, some really great, most others not as great, but here’s the rub. This place, and where Rich is coming from, the institutional knowledge is there to help, until you lose the audience.
I want Illinois to succeed in January 2019.
This election is about the next 4 years.
If the campaign is struggling to articulate, or can’t get to a point of political finesse, that will need to be addressed.
It’s not personal, and if the thoughts are of a rhetorical personal nature, ask yourselves, “what is wrong with what others are saying, besides my own thoughts or feelings hurt?”
There is no blog like this one, and no one, anywhere, that can hold a candle to the way and nitche that Rich has, or how he goes about his business.
This column is about the politics… the politics… of what’s been put out there. It’s sharp, articulate, insider-ish but not pure inside baseball. It’s perfect to play of politics.
I hope, if Pritzker wins, that when they read Rich or someone as gifted, thoughtful, knowledgeable, as - Wordslinger -, read where the pointed points to the help, and not read with hurt eyes the sharp words.
- Brossard - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 6:22 pm:
When the debated the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, did supporters have to come out with a specific rate? Of course not. I’m sure the same is true for other states with constitutions allowing this.
The whole point is the ability to decide on different rates, not lay out one specific one.
- Stuntman Bob's Brother - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:26 pm:
There are forty-nine other laboratories out there with their own distinct mix of income, real-estate, and sales tax rates. Why not calculate how much revenue Illinois would bring in should we adopt each one? Obviously, many would be taken off the table immediately (Florida, Wyoming, Nevada, South Dakota, etc.) because they would not create enough revenue. But from the remaining states, the three or five that are the ‘most fair” and “most sustainable” could be debated in the Statehouse, and nibbled at until we have something we can live with. It’s a bit long-winded, but would be a starting point for JB’s argument.
Personally, I’m rooting for California’s.