* From a press release…
Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner today released automated calls to voters in six key state legislative districts where the General Assembly’s vote on making Pat Quinn’s state income tax increase permanent could be decided.
“Pat Quinn thinks you don’t pay enough in taxes – but I disagree,” Rauner says in the calls. “There’s still time to help me fight Pat Quinn’s tax increase – and to let State Representative Deb Conroy know you want her to protect you from higher income taxes.”
The calls come one day after media reported that Quinn and House Speaker Michael Madigan convened a secret backroom meeting with Democratic lawmakers to pressure them to vote for Quinn’s tax hike. Reports indicate the meeting did not go well for Quinn with lawmakers rejecting the governor’s false choice between raising taxes and funding education.
Rauner encouraged voters to stand against Pat Quinn’s tax increase proposal and ensure State Representatives Deb Conroy (LD 46), Marty Moylan (LD 55), Carol Sente (LD 59), Sam Yingling (LD 62), Mike Smiddy (LD 71), Kate Cloonen (LD 79), and Sue Scherer (LD 96) vote against it if Madigan calls a vote.
That’s seven, not six, as the press release says.
And I know Rauner is unfamiliar with the Statehouse, but room 114 isn’t a “backroom.” It’s a hearing room.
* The robocall…
* Script…
Hello, this is Bruce Rauner. Yesterday, Governor Pat Quinn and Mike Madigan held a secret backroom meeting with State Representatives, pressuring them to raise your income taxes. Pat Quinn thinks you don’t pay enough in taxes – but I disagree. There’s still time to help me fight Pat Quinn’s tax increase – and to let State Representative [insert name] know you want [him/her] to protect you from higher income taxes. If you oppose higher income taxes and want to get more involved in my campaign, call me at 312-583-0704. Paid for by Citizens for Rauner, Inc
If you call the number, you’re asked to “dial zero” for an operator. I did so and was put on hold and then transferred into a voicemail account for volunteers.
Usually, these sorts of robocalls offer to connect you to your legislators. So Rauner’s calls aren’t interactive in the traditional sense.
…Adding… If Rauner really wanted to have an impact on the vote itself, he wouldn’t target most of those folks listed above. They’re already solid “No” votes on a tax hike extension. Instead, he’d go after Democrats who aren’t quite decided, or are staying mum.
