[Bumped up from Friday to Monday for visibility and comments opened for discussion.]
* Click here for the A-1. He contributed $20 million a month ago.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Ken Griffin…
Every citizen has a right to the truth about what Governor Pritzker and Mike Madigan’s tax increase will mean for our state: the continued exodus of families and businesses, loss of jobs and inevitably higher taxes on everyone. Well informed voters are increasingly speaking out against this tax hike, and I am committed to ensuring each of us has the facts to make a thoughtful decision about this catastrophic constitutional amendment.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Vote Yes For Fairness Chairman Quentin Fulks…
With less than 5 weeks to go until Election Day, Ken Griffin is growing increasingly desperate to ensure he can keep the special deal he gets under our current tax system that allows him to pay the same tax rate as our essential workers. Mr. Griffin and his fellow opponents have already made clear they want to raise taxes on working families and retirees rather than pay their fair share.
Mr. Griffin’s now spent more than he would have paid additionally last year under the Fair Tax in an attempt to defeat it. This may be nothing more than a calculation to him, but the future of our state is at stake. We remain committed to passing the Fair Tax in this election and giving a tax cut to 97% of Illinoisans.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Coalition To Stop The Proposed Tax Hike Amendment spokesperson Lissa Druss…
It is clear people are responding to the message that giving Springfield Politicians more power to raise taxes in the midst of a health and economic crisis is the wrong direction for our state.
With each passing day, the people of Illinois realize that the actual tax rates are not what they are voting on, but rather they are being asked to trust Springfield Politicians with a blank check.
The Coalition’s support continues to grow from small businesses, family farmers, and middle-class families who all believe now is the worst possible time to raise taxes.
- 1st Ward - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:13 am:
so much for a tax cut for 97%.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/other-hikes-likely-even-if-fair-tax-passes-moodys
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:15 am:
=== so much for a tax cut for 97%.===
Narrator: it’s *still* a 97% hold or cut on income taxes
Good try.
- Altgelds Ghost - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:25 am:
OW — you are incorrect.
The messaging on TV has changed. VOte Yes now claims a TAX CUT for 97% of Illinoisians.
They no longer claim 97% will see a cut or no increase
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:30 am:
Every citizen has a right to the truth about what Governor Pritzker and Mike Madigan’s tax increase will mean for…Ken Griffin.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:35 am:
- Altgelds Ghost -
LOL
What, your argument is…
“They’re telling bigger lies than our really big lies?”
That’s Facebook silly.
- Louis G Atsaves - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:05 am:
The fair taxer group changed their messaging from 97% will pay the same amount of taxes or see a tax decrease to 97% will see a tax decrease.
They then ran the old ads with the old message alongside the new ones for nearly two weeks.
Seems to be the same pattern on TV and Radio so far.
Most folks asking me or bringing up the issue to me are convinced that post election, they will be paying higher income taxes whether the measure passes or fails.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:09 am:
- Louis G Atsaves -
LOL, I’m sure you’re equally troubled by he phony retirement tax phony that isn’t being taxed at all.
Pound that table, counselor
- allknowingmasterofraccoodom - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:38 am:
Vote no, go Ken go.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:42 am:
=== Vote no, go Ken go.===
Ken Griffin is laughing *at* you.
He’s thanking you for saving the millionaires and billionaires.
- 1st Ward - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:02 pm:
“He’s thanking you for saving the millionaires and billionaires”
Yet the taxes start on joint income of 250K not “millionaires and billionaires” with Moody’s reporting additional tax hikes will come regardless of passage.
On whom? the rich again? I doubt it. Regardless of a dollar coming from my paycheck or a dollar coming from sales taxes a dollar is a dollar. Taxes are going up on everyone and they are going up at all levels of government during the worst recession since the great depression. I don’t care who its going to I know that i’m paying it.
- SIU - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:04 pm:
In our area chatter is way on the vote no side probably 3 to 1 in favor, and to let the Governor and him Supermajorities raise taxes on everyone and accept the responsibility. The legislature can also up the credits on the 97% if they are inclined.
The Governor is not popular here and it is reflected in the propensity to vote against the tax increase. His toliet issue in an attempt to lower his property taxes, and the lack of any discussion around Property tax relief that was part of the original sales pitch is a real issue.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:06 pm:
=== Yet the taxes start on joint income of 250K not “millionaires and billionaires”===
You can thank the political acumen of Todd Maisch for that, I’m just using what Maisch says.
===On whom? the rich again? I doubt it.===
Keep up, please, it’s still the top 3%. You don’t think the top 3% are wealthy?
“Ok”
Is that too difficult to grasp?
See, trying to make it about “who”, it still never wavers from the “what”, and what it is… is 97% won’t see a tax increase.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:09 pm:
=== chatter===
Anecdotal is *not* data
=== The Governor is not popular here===
Statewide, last polling had him above water, last polling on the tax had it within the window of passage.
=== His toilet issue===
… and yet he defeated Bruce Rauner by 16 points with it as a campaign issue.
Anything else?
- Upon Further Review - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:32 pm:
This was going down before Griffin’s additional $26 million.
Now it is a dumpster fire.
Confusion = “No” on these types of ballot initiatives. Confusion is high and the Legislature has zero in terms of a trust dividend with the voters.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:34 pm:
===This was going down before…===
Cite please.
Thanks.
- Petey L. - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:34 pm:
It is similar to a University stating they are freezing tuition.
And please don’t pay attention to the increase in fees, the additional fees that weren’t there before and the 10-20% increase in housing costs.
- City Zen - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:37 pm:
==This was going down before Griffin’s additional $26 million.==
Fair Tax has always polled well. It’s certainly not going down in a dumpster fire.
The main question is whether or not it’ll need 50% or 60% of the vote or somewhere in between. We probably won’t know where it stands until weeks after election day.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:38 pm:
=== they are freezing tuition.===
… and yet, the tuition *is* frozen.
It’s truly comical… y’all agree what is be promoted would happen if passed… “but… “
Can’t accept a win?
“No, 97% getting no income tax increase is bad”
The illogically logical?
Nope.
- Fighter of Foo - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:38 pm:
So we are to believe that if they open this up, it’s enough for all the debt for the billionaires and millionaires to pay “their” share? Both parties won’t ever raise on the middle class with this Trojan horse. Snark. Now open the constitution for pensions. Since, it won’t be changed.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
=== The main question is whether or not it’ll need 50% or 60% of the vote or somewhere in between. We probably won’t know where it stands until weeks after election day.===
This is spot on perfect to this situation.
So is this;
=== Fair Tax has always polled well. It’s certainly not going down in a dumpster fire.===
=== Now open the constitution for pensions.===
Sure it’s afternoon, but it’s still to early to imbibe at this level.
- natty lite - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:22 pm:
Couple posters have mentioned the Fair Tax polling well. I’m not seeing any polls since basically pre-COVID. Anyone have a link?
- RNUG - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:23 pm:
== Now open the constitution for pensions. ==
Waste of time.
Current law clearly states pensions are a contract; there is zero ambiguity in that statement. You can’t change that retroactively. Regardless of the State Constitution (and the IL SC has been clear on their reading of the Pension Clause), Federal Contract Law protects all existing Illinois government pensions.
The pensions were reformed when Tier 2 was created in 2011.
The problem is the pension debt from Tier 1, and legally all you can do it pay it … or convince (did anybody else notice con is part of the word convince?) existing Tier 1 employees / retirees to give up part of their pension through some kind of buyout deal.
- SIU - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:28 pm:
Have to wonder why the Fair Taxers haven’t shared any recent rosy polling.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:31 pm:
=== Have to wonder why the Fair Taxers haven’t shared any recent rosy polling.===
“Have to wonder why the Fair Tax opponents haven’t shared any gloom and doom polling.”
Glad we got that out of the way…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:36 pm:
To this, specifically;
===… have mentioned the Fair Tax polling well. I’m not seeing any polls since basically pre-COVID. Anyone have a link?===
My hunch?
The formula(s) for passage are relying on a coupe of variables and within those various variables, even a “beauty contest” snapshot isn’t honest to what’s needed for passage.
The opponents need to sow negativity. If their numbers jived, we’d see those.
Proponents need “an inside straight“ to get this to pass… predicated on how much they bet and how much the people watching this “Texas Hold ‘Em” like the outcome of the hand for them and their families.
That’s how crazy this is to passage.
- me - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:08 pm:
OW: The private polling around the fair tax would suggest it is on life support. You can wait till November 4th to respond to this post. I will now go back to my life.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:14 pm:
- me -
So, I had this at 2 in 5 passing in May… I’ve moved it to 1 in 3 passing now.
Life support? Life support would be below 50%, dunno about that, but throwing a 53% and still not passing isn’t at all great.
If passing constitutional amendments were easy, there would be dozens.
Be safe, I hope you’re well in “your life“.
- Really - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:04 pm:
Vote no. Cannot trust those in charge to spend the proceeds appropriately (pay down past debt). Cannot trust those in charge not to come after the middle class next if this passes (not enough monies to solve their problems that they have created). Cannot trust those in charge to propose any solutions to the other side of the ledger (reduce expenses and pensions and retiree health care). Our entire household and anyone I speak with will vote no. Spread the word.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:12 pm:
=== Cannot trust those in charge to spend the proceeds appropriately (pay down past debt)===
… and yet millionaire Bruce Rauner, with his newly raised taxes… spent every dime. He’s in Florida now.
=== Cannot trust those in charge not to come after the middle class next if this passes (not enough monies to solve their problems that they have created).===
They can do that already, you already know that and acknowledged it.
=== Cannot trust those in charge to propose any solutions to the other side of the ledger (reduce expenses and pensions and retiree health care).===
You’ve (and the anti Fair Tax folks) have yet to produce any acceptable cuts. It’s a phony argument that allows folks to seem smart, are aren’t smart to budgets or governing.m
=== Our entire household and anyone I speak with will vote no.===
Are you *telling* them how to vote, or is this group think like Trunpkin group think?
=== Spread the word.===
“Save the millionaires and billionaires”, that word?
Ken Griffin, after laughing at you, thanks you.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:16 pm:
=== Our entire household===
If your income tax get raised, (when it should stay the same or be a bit lower if passed) I’m sure your household will see that as owning the libs as you write a bigger check.
“We voted down that our taxes stay the same or lowered so I can pay *more* in income tax because defeating me getting lower or same income taxes REALLY showed Springfield who’s boss”
- In 630 - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:34 pm:
An ad spend that itself highlights why a progressive tax should exist.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:50 pm:
Here’s the real silly to this;
You’re voting no because “all they are gonna do is raise taxes” and even if you’re not effected, you’re voting to stop the raising of taxes, maybe.
If I believe you, and then it fails, they *will* according to your logic to vote no… will raise taxes on you.
You’re voting no… to raise your own taxes… because voting for a freeze or a tax reduction for 97% isn’t owning the libs.
It’s like The Onion has infected the thinking to create tasty mis-knowledge.
Voting because they might raise my taxes so they raise my taxes because I won’t take a win.
I’d laugh too if I was Ken Griffin
- Really - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:06 pm:
Oswego Silly. Great new nickname. Even if they do raise them on everyone, hopefully enough folks will get upset and kick some of those folks out of office next time around.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:08 pm:
=== Great new nickname.===
That’s the best you can do? You’re no Donald Trump, lol
=== Even if they do raise them on everyone, hopefully enough folks will get upset and kick some of those folks out of office next time around.===
After Rauner did a whole movie on Madigan, Madigan then won more seats than he ever won as Speaker.
Oh.
That was … after… they raised taxes.
“You’re welcome”
:)
- RNUG - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:11 pm:
== enough folks will get upset and kick some of those folks out of office next time around. ==
Unlikely. It’s a sad fact that while voters get upset with politicians, they also turn around and usually keep voting for their current officials.
About the only thing guaranteed to get current officials voted out of office is touching the third rail, i.e., messing around with retirement.
- James - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:41 pm:
Ken Griffin–lobbyist for those consumed by insatiable greed. Despite all his charitable contributions, greed will be his legacy.
- SIU - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:51 pm:
Thinking O Silly actually fits like a glove
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:54 pm:
- SIU -
I’d stick with not adding to the conversation than choosing nicknames for anyone.
:)
- Cailleach - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 6:21 pm:
Anybody see the NYT story that DJT paid no taxes for a decade or more or paid only $750? I wonder what real tax rate Griffin pays? Or Uline? Save the millionaires./s
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:34 pm:
Hmmm. Oswego Willy is freaked out that I am pounding the table about retirement income being taxed? He should go back and reread my comment that he ridicules. There is no mention by me of potentially taxing retirement income. Willy? Being snotty over nothing at all? Or perhaps he has some inside knowledge of retirement income taxation that he wishes to share?
Problem with reading comprehension Willy? Again? Must be tough being a broken record. Keep pounding that table bub.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:39 pm:
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -
You are always one to point out the stick in the others’ eyes, but fail to see the plank in your own.
Prolly why you don’t understand why I wondered aloud your analysis seems to be missing the other phony found.
Hope you’re well, stay safe, wear a mask, no snark.
- Captain Obvious - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:46 pm:
I prefer Oswego Willy Nilly, but adding Silly before Willy Nilly would be Dilly.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:52 pm:
- Captain Obvious -
All that might be overkilly, but I digress
:)
- Carl - Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:41 am:
Stop and think why a man would put over 50 million of his own money into this. You do not invest that kind of money without a guaranteed return. If this passes, I guarantee you the rates in the lower part will rise in the next 2-3-years.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:42 am:
===If this passes, I guarantee you===
lol
Sorry, but I don’t accept guarantees from anonymous, first-time blog commenters.