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This just in… Brady to reveal tax returns

Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 3:04 pm - Two days of heat is all it took. From a press release…

Governor candidate Bill Brady today said to avoid distracting from the failures of the Quinn/Blagojevich Administration, he will make available his income tax returns this week.

“Pat Quinn wants nothing more than to turn attention away the failures he has led us to,” Brady said. “I won’t let anything stand in the way of my determination to bring a clean break to Illinois.”

Brady noted that Quinn has earned his income from taxpayer money while he himself has worked in the private sector.

“Today just shows again that Pat Quinn is part of the public sector ruling class,” Brady said.

Um, Bill, what about that Senate salary? Isn’t that “taxpayer money” too?

Thoughts?

…Adding… Here’s the repost of the Pat Quinn Statehouse presser earlier today where he slammed Brady for refusing to release his returns…

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Post-meeting leader videos, Quinn on Leaders/Rahm and Lisa on Rahm

Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno talked to reporters after the leaders meeting today about the governor’s proposals that I’ve already outlined below.

Radogno claimed that the proposed cuts don’t really add up to $2.6 billion because Quinn wants to add spending back into the plan. She claimed the cuts really added up to only $900 million, while Quinn wants to do $9 billion in borrowing and new taxes. Have a look…

* House Republican Leader Tom Cross, like Radogno, was asked about a six-month budget. But, like Radogno, Cross said it wasn’t discussed. Take a look…

* Quinn’s budget director David Vaught talked about extending the lapse period by four months and how that helps vendors avoid the court of claims. Actually, it helps the state avoid the court of claims. Either way, watch…

* In case you missed it below, Gov. Quinn told Chicago reporters that he wants a review of leadership use of cars…

“This is an alarm bell that we need to pay attention to,” Quinn said. “Especially in these times of austerity, we need to look at where all state vehicles are, how they are used, where they’re assigned, and I intend to pursue that.” […]

Quinn said it is “absolutely wrong” for state-owned vehicles to ever be used by family members or anyone not working for the state, but he stopped short of saying top lawmakers should be stripped of the perk saying he planned to meet with legislative leaders and discuss the issue this afternoon.

The governor did suggest the legislative branch could face budget cuts that would force the General Assembly to reconsider some purchases.

“It bears inspection, and this is a good time to do the inspecting,” Quinn said. “We have a tough budget, we have to tighten the budget. Any information that we have that indicates that a vehicle is not necessary, then we will act appropriately.”

* Quinn and Attorney General Lisa Madigan both commented on the Rahm Emanuel for mayor kerfuffle.

First up, Quinn, who cracked that he knew Rahm when “he was an idealist” back in 1980…

Lisa…

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*** UPDATED x2 *** Quinn says “something not right” about Brady’s refusal, suggests Brady “rethink” his candidacy

Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gov. Pat Quinn got a bit harsh with Sen. Bill Brady today…

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn released his tax returns today and turned his disclosure into a campaign issue by calling on Republican rival Sen. Bill Brady to do the same or drop out.

The governor said there is “something not right” about Brady’s refusal to release his tax information, suggesting Brady is trying to hide business interests that could conflict with holding the state’s top office. […]

“As everyone knows we’ve had two governors preceding me that got into a lot of trouble, one’s in jail, one’s under indictment,” Quinn said, referring to predecessors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. “ Illinois doesn’t need a shady governor. I think it’s very important we have a governor that’s open, direct, and accessible.”

“I think anybody who wants to aspire to this office and doesn’t want to disclose their tax return really should re-think their candidacy, because I think this is fundamental to making sure the governor of our state does not have any conflicts of interest that would in any way harm the people of Illinois.”

More…

“The senator said he’s concerned such a disclosure would harm his business interests. Then the question is what are those business interests and do they conflict with the public interest,” Quinn said.

Thoughts?

…Adding… Listen to the audio from this morning’s Quinn statement by clicking here. The governor also whacked Sen. Brady during a brief Springfield appearance and we’ll have that video in a bit, so check back.

…Adding more… The Quinn campaign is pushing back against the notion that it said Brady ought to release his returns or drop out. The Tribune interpreted it differently, and so did I. But just so you know, the Quinn campaign doesn’t see it that way. The headline has been adjusted to reflect that protest.

*** UPDATE *** As mentioned above, Quinn talked to Statehouse reporters today about the Brady income tax issue.

“Sen. Brady says he doesn’t want to hurt his business interests by disclosing his income tax. Well, wait a minute. If you’re going to be the governor the number one interest is the public interest, not your private business interest that you want to keep hidden.”

Quinn also talked about the possibility of Scott Lee Cohen entering the governor’s race. Quinn said he ran into Cohen at a ballgame and Cohen told him to be prepared for a “big surprise.”

Have a look…

*** UPDATE 2 *** Brady is disclosing his tax returns. I’m gonna shut off comments on this one. Go to the brand, new, super-fresh post.

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Today’s music video

Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Torri Griffin sings Mr. Daley…

Money in their pockets
Stacking like skyscrapers

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