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* Gov. Pat Quinn was pinned down by reporters last year on taxes and some folks still remember…

The [income tax hike] proposal puts Quinn in an awkward position. It would boost the tax rate by 2.25 percentage points, but the governor - while running for re-election - promised last year to veto any increase above 1 percentage point.

Last summer, a Quinn aide suggested taxes might have to be raised by 2 points. Quinn quickly disavowed the comments and said he opposed anything beyond his proposed hike of 1 percentage point.

“I’m going to veto anything that isn’t my plan,” Quinn said at the time.

Quinn’s office didn’t comment Thursday on the conflict between the tax plan and his campaign promise.

It wasn’t completely clear that he’d veto anything above 1 point, but it was pretty darned close…

* The Question: How would you advise Gov. Quinn to deal with this campaign promise?

Snark is, of course, heavily encouraged.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 7:30 am

Comments

There’s no problem here. He said he would veto anything that wasn’t his plan. He’s agreed to the proposal on the table, so it’s now his plan. He’s being very consistent.

Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 7:36 am
Agreed. No problem here.

Raise taxes now, please.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 7:42 am
It depends upon what the definition of my plan is.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 7:42 am
This is my new plan. Deal with it.

Comment by bourbonrich Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 7:43 am
We’re not just talking about the quote. We’re talking about the context…

===Quinn quickly disavowed the comments [about a potential 2 point hike] and said he opposed anything beyond his proposed hike of 1 percentage point.===

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 7:44 am
He should say:

Well, you see, that was a looong time ago and the the guy that said that wasn’t elected to be governor. Now that I am the elected governor I am allowed to agree to anything that I’m told to agree to. I’m governor now and I say the five and three quarters percent solution is my plan. Anyone who says I am being disingenuous is merely engaging in classical political puffery. Speaking of puffery, I stayed overnight in the governor’s mansion recently and the cook makes a pretty good puff pastry. I didn’t think they had anything over there but frozen microwave food so I was pleasantly surprised. Not as surprised as I was election night but pleased all the same.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:06 am
Publish the following statement:” I will not let the promises I made you during my campaign for Governor, which by the way changed on a daily basis, interfere with my ability to raise your taxes to 5 or 5.25% now that you have been foolish enough to elect me Governor.”

Comment by WRMNpolitics Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:13 am
He should tell the voters that if they wanted consistency, they should have voted for Brady. It’s their own fault…

Comment by N'ville Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:17 am
I would suggest he ramble about all nature of things about how the Mississippi is a river, how high speed trains will go both ways between Chicago and St. Louis as well as the value of always having V-8 in the fridge until such time as the reporters nod off.

or

Point out how Bill Brady wants to kill your puppy

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:25 am
Quinn: What do you want me to say? In the heat of battle, plans change. They have to change. You have to adapt. Who knows, the plan may still yet evolve to include kittens and soybeans.”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:27 am
Quin should announce that he has been contacted by Hollywood producers, and will play recently elected Governor Elmer Fudd in a new non-animated Looney Tunes movie based on Illinois politics.Th-Th-Th-That’s all Folks!

Comment by WRMNpolitics Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:35 am
Quinn - “I am consistently inconsistent.”

Comment by Montrose Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:40 am
“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,”

And here’s the context:

“Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!”

Comment by JustMe Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 8:50 am
In all seriousness, he could try some lame spin about how the permanent part of the increase IS under 1%.

Personally, I’d rather have the permanent rate increased by full percent, maybe even 1.5, then have this family budget crushing stop-gap. I didn’t get a raise from my employer in 2010 – in fact, with the rise in my healthcare premiums, I took a small cut. This year, my premium went up even more (wasn’t Obamacare supposed to fix that, btw??) but we have been told to expect a raise. Now that raise will be almost entirely taken away by Springfield. There’s no room for snark – it’s just too infuriating and depressing to find even dark humor in the situation.

I hope everyone who couldn’t bring themselves to vote for Brady because of issues he would have been in no position to act on are happy with themselves!

Comment by grand old partisan Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:02 am
Take the Obama “We won” route. I mean, incorrectly reading an electoral “mandate” never hurts anyone, right? Surely there is no risk that Quinn, like Obama, would lose his legislative House (or Senate) in two years…

Comment by Liandro Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:06 am
I forthrightly told you — Hey Look! A Kitty!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:10 am
He should completely ignore what he said during the campaign and do whatever he wants. He’s already done it with pensions, and after blasting Brady for his “focus on social issues” helped pass civil unions legislation before he’s even inaugurated. To Quinn, that was all just part of campaigning. Now he’s going to govern, and his memory will not be very good. The people of Illinois that voted for him deserve everything they get while the rest of us figure out which state looks more attractive for a move.

Comment by UnionsWonItForQuinn Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:13 am
At the time that was promised, this was the future, and no one can predict future.

Comment by MikeMacD Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:17 am
Quinn at his next presser - “People of Illinois, act like adults and not naive children. Ok, I said that I wasn’t going to raise taxes any higher than 4 percent of income. HOWEVER, COME ON. You voters had to know I wasn’t serious about that Pledge. After all, I made that promise during the campaign. Also, when I made that statement you all knew that I had become a wholly owned subsidery of the public employee unions who are worried about their jobs and pensions. Finally, I am not just a politiican, but I am also a governor of Illinois. Thus, if you thought I would keep my promise, it is your fault. So, now leave me alone today as I go abolish the death penalty in my fervrent attempt to go back and disavow those few conservative beliefs i converted to during the campaign.”

Comment by Cuban Pilot Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:17 am
When I said that, I had just spoken with a mysterious man who gave me magic beans, and he told me that with if I planted the magic beans in the ground they would grow by December, and I wouldn’t need to raise taxes by more than 1% after the election. But the magic beans didn’t work, so now I have to go along with what the Speaker says. I’m really mad about that guy who sold me the magic beans. I still don’t understand why they didn’t work.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:34 am
What I really said is that I wouldn’t praise your faxes above poor cement.

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:35 am
It wasn’t me. It was the one-armed man.

Comment by just sayin' Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:36 am
Unfortunately, sometimes decisions (or campaign pledges) have to be made before all the facts are in. Do we really believe that Brady would have found a way to dig us out of this budget mess without a tax increase? At least the dude was honest enough to tell us that we needed to raise taxes.

Comment by wordonthestreet Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:38 am
“Being governor isn’t a popularity contest. I did not run for governor to stand by and watch this state’s massive debt problem spiral out of control. I know no one likes higher taxes, I know I don’t. We need to act like adults though. We can’t keep ignoring the debt and hoping it magically disappears. That is not leadership. I have cut $3 billion from the state’s budget and I will continue to look for ways to make our state government more efficient. In the mean time, the debt wasn’t going to pay itself and the longer we wait to act the worse it will get. That is why we need this now. My role as governor is to do everything possible to make sure we never get into a situation like this again.”

Comment by anon Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:41 am
“We can discuss the specifics after I’m sworn in, but the fact is the current governor left quite a mess for my new administration to deal with.”

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:42 am
Doesn’t anybody’s word mean anything anymore?

Comment by One of the 35 Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:43 am
You know me. I’ve been a vacillator all my life. But with the state in a hole for billions, now I’m flipping to close the gap, and I’ll do anything to bring revenue in. But here’s what I won’t do. I won’t be held to what I said during the campaign, I won’t continue to jeopardize the state’s credit rating, and I won’t keep taxes unrealistically low. I’m Pat Quinn. I’ve been a vacillator all my life, and I’ll flip for you, as governor.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:43 am
Whatever reputation for integrity Pat Quinn held was lost months ago. He should take the deal as offered, and realize that once the tax increase passes, the legislators are the ones facing the voter’s wrath in 2012, not Pat Quinn.

Comment by Louis Howe Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:49 am
“I’m going to veto anything that isn’t my plan,” Quinn said at the time.

Quinn’s response today: “There’s no inconsistency. Jedi Master Yo-madigan and his padewan, Obi-Joh Cullertonobi, came to me yesterday and said ‘This is your plan. You will sign it.’ And I responded, ‘This is my plan. I will sign it….”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:50 am
“Well, come on, now– we all knew I would never actually *govern* the State– that is Mike Madigan’s job after all…”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:50 am
Look in his address book for someone to call for advice; “let’s see Rod Blago…no..George Ryan…no…Hello Bill, Bill Brady?”

Comment by KnuckleHead Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:51 am
You all knew my word was no good when 54% of you voted against me.

Thank you Scott Lee Cohen, my hero.

Comment by Cassiopeia Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:52 am
Just man up, and say ” Well, I was wrong about what would be needed. But here we are, and I either have to look like a fool, or be a bad governor. And I already look like a fool to a lot of you, so I might as well be a good governor.”

Comment by Muskrat Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 9:55 am
Quinn should just admit he is a liar willing to say or do anything for votes.

Comment by Fed up Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:04 am
“As Miss Hanley, my fifth grade teacher may remember–math was not my strong subject. Percentages especially. Sorry ’bout that.”

Comment by Responsa Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:08 am
By the way, I live in CT where the top rate for most of us is 5%, and we survive here. Looking at various state rates (http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/228.html), IL would still be on the low end of the scale, FWIW.

Comment by Muskrat Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:10 am
He should try the honest approach: “Hey, if you wanted a Gov. with a backbone, you could have voted for a Gov. with a backbone. But no, you voted for me.”

For what it is worth — I seem to recall Thompson (and Edgar?) signing tax increases right after being re-elected, and stating that during the campaign, they were not fully aware of the condition of the State. On that note, Quinn could just say “that was many months ago and economic conditions have changed.”

Comment by Skeeter Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:14 am
“You *&^%$* up. You trusted us.”

Comment by Socksinthemansion Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:15 am
I’m with Fed Up… and then he should do the decent thing and resign.

Comment by Wondering... Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:19 am
He can always tell the story about how people think he is Mayor Daley.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:20 am
PQ: “Ha. I really didn’t think I’d actually win the election. My bad.”

Comment by PaGo Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:28 am
The 2% should only apply to registered repubs who voted in past primaries. You know, rich people.

BTW, It is time to put away the kitty joke.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:28 am
You didnt vote for me because of my stand on taxes… you voted for me because I support euthanasia for dogs one at a time.

ONE AT A TIME, DAMNIT… er, well, maybe 2.25 dogs at a time could work too…

And also, I remind you that you did not elect me because of my tax stands… you elected me to keep abortion legal in Illinois, and I am happy to report that since I have been in office, no United States Supreme Court decision has impeded that right, which would of course force me to immediately secede Illinois from the Union to keep my campaign promise there, so… fingers crossed!

Comment by Peter Snarker Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:29 am
GPQ is a well intentioned guy and cares about good government, but the statement was seemingly meant to give the impression that anything more than 1% would be vetoed. We all too often seem to think this is ok in politics, spin it somehow and then it will be ok - but it’s not. Many people have indicated their frustration with this kind of politics in this last election, and in 2008 nationally.
I think the same question should be asked of Madigan who took pains to say very late in the election that he and his caucus were not supporting an income tax increase (to the embarrassment of Quinn) and then 100% flip now. Will it be ok to say that the problems were worst than he thought just 3 months ago?

Comment by Real Clear Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:32 am
I advise him to brazenly break the campaign promise, and not acknowledge ever making it.

Or, just say that this is now his plan, since he was involved in the negotiations.

Comment by Jeff Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:38 am
Do whatever you want, Pat. Once Rahm gets in there, you’ll no longer be governor.

Comment by KRJ Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:45 am
The 2.25% increase is temporary. Given the state’s fiscal crisis, Gov. Quinn can say stand firm behind a temporary increase beyond what he’d originally proposed. The permanent increase is closer to his original plan. I think that works.

Comment by fuzzywuzzy Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:45 am
PQ:What’s to complain about, we’re only raising taxes on people who work for a living! Those of you who are getting retirement income, especially the sweet six figure public and private pensions are comped on this one. You pay zilch!

Comment by WRMNpolitics Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:51 am
Yes I said that. I said alot of things. Right now the state faces a severe cash crunch and if I do not do something many good people will continue to be hurt by the state’s inability to pay the very real bills, medical costs, and pensions they entrusted us to pay for the service they provided, which I find so embarassing for all the good workers of the state and all the people doing good for people throughout the state that it has to come to an end, so I got together with my fellows leaders and we came up with this bold plan which we feel will put Illinois back into a good financial place even though we know many people may not agree with us, but many times you have to make decisions that others may not like, and which I personally disagree, but still must be made to accomplish the goals you have set out to do which is to help the people of this good state get the level of service they deserve.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:52 am
Listen I know the President and lame duck Democratic Congress just passed on raising income taxes and rolled back payroll taxes to create ecomomic expansion, but this is Illinois and the laws of gravity don’t apply here.

Comment by jeff another one Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 10:56 am
All this on the table is temporary. During the campaign it was a permanent increase. I’ve been busy cutting by not paying bills. My stances are consistent and I will veto any increases that are not temporary. 14-12-15 years is temporary!

Yes this makes sense. Honest! All these temporary increases are all about jobs! Creating jobs! Education! The environment! And I still sleep at the mansion once in a while! Wanna see my Motel 6 card? Super 8?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:00 am
We need to recall the Governor for lying to us.

Comment by Recall Time Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:04 am
Quinn: Everyone knew when I was promoting the 1% solution that it was no solution at all. Everyone including my budget guy who candidly remarked that 2% would be needed. So … so I lied to you. Anyone in the know, including me, knew that I was lying. But, you know, this is what politicians do to win elections. I cut the corner to do what is right. So, gimme a freaking break will ya? Pass the shrimps and mini burgers, please.

Comment by vole Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:22 am
“Oh it was nothing but ‘political puffery’ and that’s a-ok here according to our fantastic court system.”

Comment by Bitterman Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:23 am
The Governor should hop in the Wayback machine and adjust his quote accordingly. Otherwise, his repudiation of his top aide’s candid comment that a 2-point increase was coming after the election might seem a bit “disingenuous.”

Comment by mr wizard Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:42 am
===BTW, It is time to put away the kitty joke===

OK with me. Just don’t put it in a box with a bunch of other kitty jokes and try to gas ‘em.

Comment by Jaded Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:43 am
Sign the bill. He has no perfect choices because he screwed up. The least damaging thing is to say that the situation is more dire than I realized at the time, and signing on to this new agreement is the right thing to do for Illinois. If he does not do that, he will in effect be calling Cullerton a liar, because Cullerton said in his presser yesterday that the Governor had agreed to the new plan. To get that much on Cullerton’s wrong side will bring him no end of trouble.

Comment by jake Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:49 am
“In the great tradition of Big Jim, BlinkyJim and Blagoof I am doing something a little different than I promised in the campaign, but since most of you voted against me anyway why should I care. I am happy that you pitted me against NoTaxBill and that he failed to convince Kirk help him.
So thanks for the opportunity”

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:50 am
Appoint CMB his spokesperson, and let her slowly and agonizingly reveal the larger tax increase while noting that the State has not tried to cash in on its status and has been running at a loss for years.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:58 am
He should simply say “Are you daft? You know I flip flop and you voted for me. So, I’m doing what I always did. No surprise here.”

Comment by Justice Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 11:59 am
“I’m going to veto anything that isn’t my plan.” Oh yeah I forgot to tell you anything and everything is my plan.

Comment by Nuance Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:03 pm
Quinn: My rememberer is a little dismembered. I mean what is the difference between 1 and 2.25 percent? I mean it really isn’t the same as the difference between 33% and 75% is it? I mean, I mean … you gotta gimme a gimme on this folks. Cause I am a good guy who loves the vets.

Comment by vole Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:03 pm
The fed giveth 2% and the state taketh it, plus a little extra for the trouble.

Comment by Nuance Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:07 pm
“J-O-B, I’m the Jobs man”

Comment by Common Sense Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:46 pm
My father always told me “I don’t care who you are - if you don’t tell the truth about yourself, you’re not going to grow.” I have found this formula to work very well in my life. Quinn shouldn’t break his promise.

Comment by Can't Say My Nickname Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:48 pm
===BTW, It is time to put away the kitty joke===

Too late. We just re-elected him, and we don’t have recall in this state.

Comment by Pat Robertson Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:50 pm
We now have recall but it would mean the Lt. Governor would move up.

Comment by Realist Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:53 pm
Quinn doesn’t have to say anything. He is essentially a lame duck. But this tax increase is going to blow up in Madigan’s face during the redistricting process and I will be happy to see it happen.

Comment by Meanderthal Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 12:59 pm
–We now have recall but it would mean the Lt. Governor would move up.–

Breaking news there. Get on it, Rich.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:06 pm
- But this tax increase is going to blow up in Madigan’s face during the redistricting process and I will be happy to see it happen. -

Beg pardon? Is it going to affect his ability to draw or something?

Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:07 pm
–But this tax increase is going to blow up in Madigan’s face during the redistricting process and I will be happy to see it happen.–

How?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:08 pm
Look, we’re losing industry and businesses to other states at an alarming rate and someone needs to make up the short fall. I was elected Governor by the people of Illinois, and this is my way of thanking you.

Comment by Njardar Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:10 pm
What? You don’t like my tax increase. Well no soup for you. NEXT!!!!!

Comment by Not This Time Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:34 pm
Pat Robertson — Epic Win!

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:40 pm
It’s about time, but it’s nice to know eventually problems can be fixed.

Comment by FDR Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:44 pm
“What…you never heard a candidate lie before? To fix this state, we need a bigger wrench than I campaigned on. What are you going to do…recall me?”

Comment by Moved To Missouri (f/k/a/ Vote Quimby!) Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:56 pm
Look, I was in the middle of a close campaign against a guy who promised to have a balanced budget without raising any taxes. Like any other politician, I said whatever I had to to get elected. If you were stupid enough to believe me (or him) thats on you, not me.

Comment by Bill Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 1:59 pm
“If I thought I could have gotten away with a tax increase this big I wouldn’t have said that”

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 2:07 pm
The tax increase is going to get his suburban members in big trouble. The ed boards are going to be all over MJM on redistricting now. It will embolden more legal challenges. All in all, a bridge too far for an electorate sick of hack politicians

Comment by Meanderthal Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 2:30 pm
- The ed boards are going to be all over MJM on redistricting now. -

Yeah, they editorial boards and legal challengers were just going to sit it out until this. Madigan is on board because he has the remap, not in spite of it.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 2:34 pm
STL is correct.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 2:36 pm
You knew what I was when you picked me up.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 3:20 pm
Back then he was running for a full term as Gov. SINCE then the reality of this massive financial crisis hit home. He could say that at that (previous) time, it looked as if a 1% increase would be minimally adequate to keep our heads above water–and that WAS his “plan” THEN, but NOW more is needed so this is his NEW, current “plan” which he supports. However, Gov. Quinn may add that it is proposed to be a “temporary” 2 1/4% increase (on individuals)to get us out of this mess, and actually assert that in 4 years, after things are hopefully better overall economically, he will actually be CUTTING people’s taxes back by 1 1/2%! (albeit leaving a more permanent 3/4% increase on the whole)–but heck, folks’ll be used to the higher taxes by then and will be overJOYED to have a nice bundle of their money returned to them in 2015–plus he’ll actually be able to somewhat campaign on REDUCING everyone’s income taxes on this basis when up for re-election in 2014 (IF it all pans out, although I hear echoes of the line about bewaring of “the best laid plans of mice and MEN” here…). Also, PQ will be able to assert KEEPING (although not tout) a campaign promise by saying any INcome tax raise would be accompanied by CUTTING people’s PROPERTY taxes–which this plan does. In any case, the Dem. leadership may just be highballing the % increase at this point, expecting to settle with the Legislature on approval of a slightly lesser % increase which they might be able to stomach, say 1 1/2% (??), with the built-in rollback by 50% to the 3.75% final rate to kick-in in four years…anyway ya shake it, something, I surmise, will be passed by Monday’s swearing-in….

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 3:36 pm
“What? What do you mean I said I’ll veto anything that isn’t in my plan? That was Plan A. You obviously missed Plan B!”

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 4:26 pm
I get your point. Jim Edgar waited three years before flip-flopping on taxes, and you liked that.

You want me to ease you into it, get you into the mood with a little more romance, more foreplay.

How about if we cuddle afterward?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 5:12 pm
Pluto used to be a planet. Get over it.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jan 7, 11 @ 5:13 pm