* We have the audio files of Gov. Pat Quinn’s fiery press conference yesterday where he slammed Sen. Bill Brady for proposing a $1 billion cut to education funding and fended off questions about his budget director’s comments regarding the likelihood of a large tax hike in January. Part 1…

At the beginning of Part 2, Quinn vows to veto any income tax hike that is over one percentage point…

* Let’s look at the coverage. Sun-Times…

Quinn said he only plans to push what he has publicly proposed previously — a hike to 4 percent, with the extra money to be spent on education. While he still has to convince legislators to support it, that could be easier to do after the Nov. 2 election.

Quinn said the Bloomberg reporter misinterpreted what Vaught said.

“He was asked a question about another plan and the reporter, from Texas, misconstrued his answer,” Quinn said.

Did Quinn admonish Vaught, to whom Quinn recently gave a $30,000 salary increase?

“I don’t think he should philosophize about taxes. I will tell him that,” Quinn said.

Tribune…

Quinn said Brady is spouting “fairy tales,” noting his opponent has yet to offer specifics on how to get the state out of the red ink. Quinn said without a tax increase, Brady would have to cut education funding. Quinn said would lead to property tax increases as local governments try to make up the difference.

“You’ve got to be careful with these apostles of no tax,” Quinn said. “When they talk, they have their fingers crossed because they know the local government will raise the property taxes on you for schools and other things. I don’t think that’s the right way to go.”

A Brady spokeswoman dismissed those allegation.

“Pat Quinn will say anything to get elected,” Brady spokeswoman Patty Schuh said. “He proposes tax increases all year long, but somehow tries to blame someone else.”

The property tax angle was an integral part of Quinn’s pitch yesterday.

ABC7…

The governor vowed to convince voters before the election that, if Brady carries through with planned cuts spending for state programs including education, property taxpayers will pay the price.

“If the state doesn’t properly fund school, then local property taxes skyrocket. They’re backbreaking already,” said Quinn.

The Republican was asked about the governor’s charge that local property taxes would increase under a Brady administration.

“Now I’ve made it very clear. We have to cut a dime on every dollar, and we have to focus on waste, fraud, corruption, abuse and mismanagement,” said Brady.

That’s not very clear. Brady was a bit more specific with Crain’s…

Asked directly if his plan would cut state aid to schools by 10%, Mr. Brady went out on his own political limb, saying it would. “Sure. It would apply to everything.”

Schools will jsut have to “rood out fraud and abuse” and take other efficiencies, he said. “We cannot afford to raise taxes on families and businesses.”

Fox Chicago…

Brady responded that his proposed budget cuts “would not have to” force massive teacher layoffs. When pressed by FOX Chicago News for details of his budget cuts, Brady declined.

His chief spokeswoman said Brady is “working on” a plan with more details. Campaign sources, though, said that identifying specific budget cuts might not be smart politics.

They said it might open Brady up to new attacks from Democrats and special interests.

SJ-R…

Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said Madigan believes any revenue increase “would have to have a bipartisan coalition to pass,” meaning some votes would have to come from House Republicans.

House GOP Leader Tom Cross issued a statement Thursday that provided no hint that such a coalition is about to form.

“It is shocking to me that Governor Quinn’s administration remains fixated on an income tax increase by 67 percent, and not focused on reforms and streamlining government,” Cross said. “Taxpayers are sick and tired of paying for the Democrats’ flippant behavior when it comes to their money.

* Brady also defended his proposed cut to the gasoline sales tax yesterday…

Brady offered a classic supply-side defense of his proposal to cut gasoline taxes. Instead of costing the state treasury, Brady predicted it would eventually bring in more revenue:

“People are travelling to neighboring states to buy their gas, to buy their beverages, to buy their cigarettes, and their bread. Reducing that tax will foster economic activity that will outpace the loss in very short order.”

George Ryan tried that and it didn’t work. In fact, Ryan said that was the biggest mistake of his administration.