Constitutional amendment clears Senate
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* All 40 Senate Democrats voted “Yes” on the constitutional amendment…
* But three SDems voted “No” and one skipped the vote on the rate bill…
The three “No” votes were Sens. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Tom Cullerton and Suzy Glowiak. Sen. Rachelle Crowe didn’t vote.
* Meanwhile…
…Adding… Democratic Sens. Aquino, Cunningham, Hutchinson, Murphy, Peters and Villivalam voted “No.” Sen. Munoz did not vote…
…Adding… React…
Today Think Big Illinois Executive Director Quentin Fulks released the following statement after the Senate passed the fair tax resolution:
“Today represents another important step toward ensuring Illinois voters have the opportunity to decide if they want a tax system that lifts the burden off the middle class and forces the wealthy to finally pay their share. Think Big Illinois applauds the members of the Senate who stood up for our middle and working-class families and voted to pass the fair tax resolution.
“Think Big Illinois looks forward to continued discussions in Springfield, and remains committed to being a staunch ally for Illinois families in the fight to implement a fair tax and create a tax system that works for everyone.”
* Americans for Prosperity-Illinois…
This vote is an affront to taxpayers and it is disheartening that the Senate voted to give themselves a blank check paid for by beleaguered Illinois taxpayers. When politicians get more tax power, Illinoisans get higher taxes. We thank those senators who voted against the bill and now urge the House of Representatives to stand up for Illinois taxpayers and reject it.
* Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise…
Today, the insider politicians in Springfield took the first step toward a massive Jobs Tax to punish middle class families.
It is clear that Governor Pritzker and Speaker Madigan will not rest until they have a blank check signed by the hardworking people of Illinois.
* Sen. Don Harmon…
After a decade of work to update Illinois’ outdated tax structure, Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) today earned Senate approval of a constitutional amendment that would allow for a fair tax.
The proposed constitutional amendment would remove language requiring a flat tax and allow the General Assembly to set lower rates for those making less and higher rates for those earning the most.
“We’ve had the same tax structure in our state for nearly 50 years,” Harmon said. “Middle-class and working Illinoisans have been hurt by our inability to modernize our tax structure to reflect a changing economy.”
The proposed amendment does not include specific tax rates, but, under legislation sponsored by Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), 97 percent of Illinoisans would get tax relief. Hutchinson’s measure only takes effect if voters approve the constitutional amendment.
“We’ve made great progress in putting our state back on a path to stability after years of chaos,” Harmon said. “We still have work to do, and the only options we have besides the fair tax are to raise taxes dramatically on everyone or enact deep, punishing cuts to state services.”
I’ll post more on the live coverage post.
