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* From the Southern Illinoisan…
Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Sheila Simon said she believes the voters of Illinois are ready for some real answers and real solutions to financial problems facing the state.
“There are a lot of people who understand the big picture of where we are as a state, and they are willing to take the medicine,” Simon told members of The Southern Illinoisan editorial board Tuesday morning.
A majority of voters Simon has spoken to would be willing to accept an income tax increase, particularly if the money went to a focused purpose like education.
* The Question: Do you agree or disagree with Simon that voters may be ready to accept a targeted income tax increase? Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 12:54 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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No, because no one believes you when you say it’s targeted.
Got to hear a Quinn staffer this year try and push this idea to a group of parents of gifted children and they were not buying it.
If you can’t convince a group of parents down in Springfield pushing for more education funding for a specific area (gifted ed) you are not going to convince folks in general.
Also it would seem Sheila’s own party (or at least it’s leadership in Springfield) does not agree with her.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 12:58 pm
Hell no. The financial mess in the state is because of the failure of government. Giving a bigger shovel for them to dig a deeper ditch is not the answer.
Comment by shore Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:00 pm
I agree a big NO!!! The majority of voters in both parties are fed up. It will take serious and real budget cuts, before the majority will even think about supporting any tax increase. Brady should have an ad out tomorrow featuring her quote.
Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:04 pm
Hey Sheila, look at the poll numbers. The answer is no. The only thing people know about Pat Quinn is a 33% tax increase. A tax increase may be needed, but even Alvin Greene knows you don’t run on a tax increases.
Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:09 pm
NO!!
People are way too cynical, especially after
Blago gone, and nothing done in Springfield since.
Typical reaction to this:
“Isn’t that what they told us about the Illinois Lottery?”
Comment by Peoria Joe Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:09 pm
no. people do not want to give more $$s to politicians that caused the problems in the first place. clean out the whole works (fat channce) and the answer might (slim) change.
Comment by wizard Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Yes, voters are willing to accept an income tax increase, especially if it’s a targeted increase, like House Bill 750, where MOST voters will not actually be paying the higher tax.
Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:12 pm
Yes, but only if the voters are persuaded that the governor has a plan, and is credible in vowing to implement the plan, to rein in government spending to balance the budget within a reasonable time frame, say 6-8 years. Problem is, none of our candidates are talking in terms of a realistic budget plan, and no one would believe either Tweedledee or Tweedledum if they did.
Comment by Lycurgus Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:14 pm
==Brady should have an ad out tomorrow featuring her quote.==
How about featuring serious and real budget cuts instead of advertising his opponent’s position. The advert you describe would make me more likely to vote Quinn/Simon, because it would reduce the deficit.
Comment by JN Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:15 pm
From today to November 3rd … no way in Hades …
From November 4th … Debatable, but doubt it would be accepted EVEN with all the bills and services being cut … unless they can show direct linkage to services and new tax monies …
Ms. Simon, if you want to beat Brady/Plummer … be honest, but do it quietly, just a suggestion
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:16 pm
Does anyone think that there is any importance in the opinions of a Lt. Governor candidate?
The position has no legislative focus or authority.
A trial balloon claiming people are ready for a targeted tax increase come only from PQ or the party leadership.
Voters only want to know whether they are the target of the tax increase. As long as it is someone else the increase is OK. Hence the continuous attacks on the ‘evil rich’
Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:19 pm
I agree … I mean, I don’t pay them anyway, so it wouldn’t impact me!
But seriously, I think there are more people who would be in support of one, but there’s a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding out there that would have to be overcome … Much of it perpetuated by certain politicians and candidates. The Indiana Fantasy is one of them …
Comment by ShadyBillBrady Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:23 pm
This is yet another reason that people have problems with Quinn/Simon. Why in the world would she put more focus on the fact Quinn is the guy raising taxes? It is like they have no political sense at all.
In answer to the question: I don’t accept the premise. People don’t have an option to “accept” an increase.
Now, “support” is different, and the answer is no, because people just don’t understand the financial situation of the state.
There has to be real pain first. People need to see that funding for schools really has been cut. People don’t have that pain though. All they see is business as usual and Democrats asking for a tax increase.
Comment by Jasper Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:24 pm
I fear that the income tax increase will be targeted for education the same way that the lottery proceeds were targeted for education.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:25 pm
Brady should have an ad out tomorrow featuring her quote.==
How about featuring serious and real budget cuts instead of advertising his opponent’s position. The advert you describe would make me more likely to vote Quinn/Simon, because it would reduce the deficit.
I didn’t say it was good policy, just it would be a good political move. Remember these are the voters that elected Blago TWICE!!
Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:29 pm
I think people would accept a targeted income tax increase if we had a coherent narrative as party, and as a governmental body for that matter, about what we’ve cut, what we’re prepared to cut without more revenue, and what a tax increase will avoid and/or assist with.
Comment by Mark Buerhle Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:29 pm
Forget what I think. Lets go with what actual constituents tell me daily…..
Teachers: “Yes INCOME TAX INCREASE NOW.”
All others: “HELL NO!” OR “You raise my taxes one more time, and you’ll never get my vote again!” Another frequent comment “Education, they say its gonna be for education?….. Like the lottery went for education?!” “the government needs to tighten its belt and manage like the rest of us have to!” “Forget it, they take enough from us already” “During tough economic times like these, THEY want to RAISE my taxes?” (emphasis theirs)
Another comment I hear regularly is that if Illinois raises taxes again, they will move their business, or family out of Illinois.
I think they mean it.
My opinion doesn’t matter. Constituent’s opinions do.
Comment by Say WHAT? Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:30 pm
A tax increase would be palatable but only if instituted along with other measures, such as broadening the tax base to include taxing a portion of retirement income,and closing other tax provisions. Also, there would need to be a clear use for the additional taxes collected such as reduction of state unpaid bills and payment of unfunded pension liabilities. Given the history of the Illinois legislatures, most taxpayers wont be in favor of increases without strong controls on the spending of the tax increase.
Comment by WRMNpolitics Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:30 pm
Given that a good number of people (not necessarily a majority or plurality, though) I talk to are willing to absorb a raise - including some conservatives - yes.
Comment by Peter Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:31 pm
I think the “targeted” stuff sets off everyones BS detectors.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:34 pm
Aren’t there already a bunch of targetted fees that go into funds for defined purposes which get raised every year?
You can call it a tax increase for education all day long, but everyone knows it’s just gonna be used to balance the books in the GRF and the “targetting” is merely packaging for the media.
Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:47 pm
No.
Other “targeted” fees and taxes include the Illinois Tollway (temporary and then a phase out) and the Illinois State Lottery (Education funding).
How did those work out?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:49 pm
Considering the whole ‘balanced budget requirement’ in the state constitution and how well that has been followed could you even protect the money constitutionally if you wanted to?
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:51 pm
With the same type of spending that we have no…no way? What’s she thinking?
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:53 pm
Yes, I am all for a tax increase that is targeted at registered Democrats.
Comment by Angry Republican Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 1:56 pm
No more money for government. It is time that all government agencies learn to operate more efficiently or you will bear the consequences. Maybe those in education could learn a thing or two from private enterprise.
Comment by DRB Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:11 pm
Here’s what the polls show: People are against tax increases, but they’re even more opposed to the cuts in education, health care, human services, etc that are the necessary consequence of failing to raise any new revenues. Folks can’t have it both ways (no cuts and no tax increases), although some politicos paint it thusly. And other pols say we can cut without causing real pain to real people, which is hooey.
Back to the polls: What they mean is, if state leaders treated people like adults, and dropped the least-common-denominator pandering, and helped to really and concretely connect the dots between critical services and the resources needed to support them … more people would have the “aha” moment that’s needed to support a moderate increase in the income tax.
We can keep cutting, delaying payments and borrowing heavily … and we can keep doing this for probably several years without erasing our budget deficit. Or we can introduce new revenues to the mix, which still will have to include some cuts and delays and borrowing for the time being … and we can begin to pull out of trouble and into economic recovery.
Comment by Linus Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:13 pm
Just clarifying, above: “other pols say we can cut without causing real pain” is a reference to what some pols/politicians say, not what polls say.
Comment by Linus Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:15 pm
Look, Illinois has spent money for the past 10 years as if we raised the income tax. Except we haven’t, and now the bills are past due. Like it or not, the Quinn campaign is a referendum on raising income taxes in Illinois, and that’s one of the major reasons he’s doing badly in the polls.
The voters are clear as mud on this. Overwhelming majorities are opposed to tax hikes and overwhelming majorities are concerned about the impact of spending cuts. Sometimes we need to take the bad medicine. Sheila is being honest about the bitter pill that is coming our way.
But she does her self a disservice when she insists voters are ready for it. They aren’t. That’s mainly because Quinn hasn’t proven to voters that he can be trusted to change the things that put us in this miserable hole.
Bottom line, voters don’t want tax hikes and don’t want spending cuts, but they’re going to get both regardless of who gets elected in November. Simon is at least trying to be honest and treating voters like adults.
I agree with her that SOME voters are ready for a tax increase. Unfortunately, those realistic voters are far short of a majority.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:25 pm
That’s right: Jobs, jobs, jobs, TAX INCREASE, jobs, TAX INCREASE, jobs, TAX INCREASE, TAX INCREASE.
Way to stay on message. Nice.
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:25 pm
I think voters would be willing to accept a tax increase but not because it would be targeted. Voters wantto see the govt is making cuts and operating efficiently before agreeing to pay more for it; they are not always completly opposed to paying for whats needed, the problem is showing we are down to whats needed.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:26 pm
If Illinois history is any indication, it’s possible. Charlie Wheeler always points out, with facts, no less, that weren’t any major electoral consequences for supporters the last two times taxes were raised.
But facts don’t matter to Fox News screamers and their fans.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:47 pm
===weren’t any major electoral consequences for supporters the last two times taxes were raised. ===
That’s because the tax hikes were bipartisan, structured roll calls and pushed by Republican governors.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:53 pm
==Voters want to see the govt is making cuts==
General Funds Actual Appropriations Grand Totals
2009: $27.9B
2010: $26.3B (-6%)
2011: $24.9B (-5%)
Maybe the voters should look?
Comment by JN Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 2:53 pm
The state of Illinois is like a wild teen that has maxed out on their credit card. Helping them pay off the debt that they created doesn’t create any sense of financial displine.
It’s time for some “tough love”.
Match up a tax increase with pension reform and maybe we can talk.
Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 3:06 pm
There were electoral consequences visited upon Gov. Ogilvie for setting up the income tax in the first place, and the GOP lost the State Senate as well. Politicians remember. And these were quality people.
Comment by Xgman Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 3:30 pm
Voters still want cuts. They know that “the state” (to not target any particular group) always threatens to cut education instead of something else, like patronage and pork barrel. State government always seems to “find” the money if the screams are loud enough for project “X”. And schools aren’t closing their doors (although some may be getting close). Things are still functioning and that tells the voters there isn’t a “real” problem. Until all the “something else” is cut to the bone and beyond, and it is clearly explained that you can’t cut any more out of welfare, etc., you won’t get wide support for a tax increase.
As I’ve written before in letters to the editor, there are places to potentially cut in the whole social welfare system … but you’re going to have to spend money first to get the savings. Look at the caseworker numbers versus the number of cases they have to manage. The caseworker is supposed to be finding solutions to problems, not just handing out checks. With a total of something like 40 minutes per year per case (last numbers I calculated from the press release when Rod actually hired more caseworkers a few years back), the caseworker doesn’t have time to do anything but fill out the paperwork to send a check out (debit cards these days). You can’t tell me there isn’t a certain level of fraud out there with, in effect, no oversight. The voters I know see their neighbors “working the system” and they’re fed up over it. No way will they support a tax increase until they see this kind of stuff stopped. And the only way to stop whatever fraud there is is to hire more caseworkers and get serious about helping people achieve self-sufficiency as opposed to collecting handouts.
Is it almost impossible to do during a recession, yes. Will babies be thrown out with the bathwater, yes. Will worthy projects and causes be trashed; yes. But the voters just aren’t buying it that there is nothing left to cut. It’s coming down to voters questioning what is the core job of government (essential services) and what should be left to the private sector.
Yes, I know the budget and deficit numbers and you will never cut your way out of this hole. You have to have revenue enhancement. I’m resigned to the fact that whoever gets elected will raise our taxes and probably close “loopholes” like pensions currently being tax-free. (That may lead to an interesting court case since it would a government action “reducing” state pensions.) I recognize that everyone, including myself, will need to pay more.
So the question the voters have to ask is who do they trust more to actually use new revenue to pay down the deficit? I don’t know what Brady will do but we do know Quinn’s track record. Threaten to cut, and then back off. Quinn has actually make some good cuts but then pulls boneheaded stunts like raises (see “always finds money” in first paragraph). I’ll also repeat what we all know, that if the Dems could have gotten their act together and voted as bloc without any political cover, they could have pushed through a tax increase on their own. Since our elected “representatives” did not do so, it must not be a problem.
So, to finally answer the question, I disagree with Simon. Voters aren’t ready for a tax increase … because they still don’t think there is a revenue problem … they still think it is a spending problem.
Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 3:35 pm
In the last ten years spending per student in Illinois has increased each and every year. Where is the improvement in test scores? That’s the question many voters are asking before approving higher taxes.
Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 3:38 pm
Chapin Rose for Speaker. He does make sense on the budget problems.
Comment by The Moderate Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 3:39 pm
Xgman, we’re talking about the last two, not that one.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 3:40 pm
Why is a sales tax increase never talked about?
Comment by state employee Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 3:53 pm
State Employee,
I think sales taxes are always talked about, but no one has really pushed it because it isn’t likely to raise as much revenue as income taxes, and income taxes are very low in Illinois (relative to other states that have income taxes), while sales taxes in Chicago and other home rule units add an additional layer to what the state collects. Sales taxes are also regressive, meaning they hurt poor people harder and are thus not the fairest way to tax.
Expanding sales taxes to certain services, however, has been talked about for many years. I think that should be considered along with collecting sales taxes on on-line purchases. I’m pretty sure the internet is here to stay, so the idea that imposing taxes for on-line sales might somehow kill the industry is a bit absurd.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 4:02 pm
Any voter who believes any politician when they say new revenue will be targeted for education is a fool. Haven’t we heard that bogus lie enough by now?
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 4:17 pm
No tax increase will fix this mess. We need to fix the spending. Targeted taxes are a goofy, goofy idea as it has never worked and will never work. It might make a good sound bite but “bite” is just what it is.
Good grief! Good luck getting that lame idea across. Hey….it’s a tax increase that will be used however the goofs see fit to use it.
No new taxes. That simple enough Sheila?
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 4:38 pm
I think we do collect sales tax on internet purchases. But not all of them — just checked, and Amazon doesn’t seem to include sales tax on my purchases.
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 5:31 pm
What Simon said was nonsense. Regardless of where you stand we are all willing to have a serious discussion regarding our fiscal problems. What I do know is that this is not a new problem. What I know is that the GA has been unable under a single political party in near-complete control, to meet budget deadlines since about 2005. What I know is that the people currently running the show, cannot handle this situation. They have had their chance to have a serious discussion. They have had their chance to pass new taxes. They have had their chance to cut the budget. They have had more than one term to do something, and they have chosen to not do anything serious. So, who is talking about getting serious all of a sudden? Well, it just so happens to be the Lt. Governor candidate from the very party that has never been serious since 2005.
So where has Sheila been during this time? Has she seen what we have been seeing? Has she picked up a paper, read this blog, or watched television? Who does she think she is talking to?
We are serious. We want a government we can afford. We want a government sans corruption. We want a governor who wasn’t a part of an eight year cycle of maladministration, mismanagement, incompetence, corruption and flat out egomaniacal stupidity.
What is so bad about that? After all, who is paying for all of this mismanagement anyway?
Sheila Simon thinks she has something to say about this? Where the hell has she been? Where the hell has her party been? Oh yeah - in charge.
We are determined to change that next month. We can do NO worse!
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 6:51 pm
Hello …NO….what was she thinking? I thought that is why we have the lotto to fund education, that turned out so well…When are politicians going to get it… maybe come November huh????? Wow I cannot even believe she would make that statement…
Comment by dumb ol' country boy Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 8:07 pm
Dear Sheila,
I hope this letter finds you well. Your running mate, Pat, has been talking about fairies and I think you must have inhaled some of the dust. The “people” clearly don’t support tax increases and are not ready to “swallow the medicine.” Perhaps you have not read the papers or seen the TV news since you’ve departed on the Quixote-like quest.
If you don’t believe me now, you will soon. As Pat likes to say “let the will of the people be the law of the land.” I think you will see the will of the people very clearly in November.
Thanks,
Comment by 4 percent Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 8:12 pm
Yes. Clearly most voters are not looking at the facts. Our total tax burden is low (YES, including all taxes and fees!) and, although there is lots of talk about wasteful spending, it is clearly hard to come up with anything terribly substantial. Look at Bill Brady - he has no specifics on spending cuts because there isn’t that much discretionary spending that can (or should) be cut. The income tax needs to go up and sales taxes need to be levied on services.
Comment by Far Northsider Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 9:27 pm
Not now, but maybe if there are also a ton of budget cuts they can be brought around.
But if it’s just to keep on with business as usual, no.
The tricky bit is that the biggest area of waste is education… so maybe this circle just cannot be squared and we all go down the tubes.
Comment by Marty Wednesday, Oct 13, 10 @ 9:54 pm