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* Sun-Times…
Bruce Rauner remained defiant in insisting he’s released enough on his taxes and wouldn’t commit to making public his full tax schedules for inspection before the Nov. 4 election.
“We will release our tax returns when they’re prepared and filed on Oct. 15 and at that point we will have released four years of our tax returns. We outlined and detailed our tax rate. My tax rate is the same as Pat Quinn’s,” Rauner said to a packed scrum of reporters after riding into the fairgrounds on his Harley.
Rauner ducked when asked if he would release his full schedules, talking over reporters and repeating that he’d release his 2013 tax documents in October. Rauner has asked for an extension and that is the due date. Gov. Pat Quinn and other Democrats on Wednesday repeatedly called on Rauner, a multi-millionaire with hundreds of investments, to release the full details of his finances for public inspection. While candidates are not required to do so, it has become the new norm to release full tax schedules and it was something that Mitt Romney eventually did in the 2012 presidential election. His tax documents were some 700 pages.
* Watch the exchange…
* But not every Republican agreed with Rauner. Charles Thomas…
Earlier at the state county chairman’s meeting, other Republicans differed on how much Rauner or any candidate should reveal of his or her personal finances.
“I think that basically candidates need to be a transparent as possible,” said Paul Schimpf, R-Attorney General candidate.
“I think you have to see where your money is and I think people need to be upfront about that,” said Judy Baar Topinka, R- Illinois comptroller.
* From the DGA…
“If Bruce Rauner doesn’t want to trust the people of Illinois with information about his finances, the people of Illinois shouldn’t trust Bruce Rauner. He has hidden his policies from them. He has hidden his foreign investments from them. He has hidden the details of how he built his corporate empire at the expense of workers, seniors and communities.
“Releasing tax information is a low bar of disclosure for a public official, not a ‘diversion’ as Rauner says it is. It’s an easy test of whether he is worthy of the public’s trust. Bruce Rauner has failed that most basic test and he shouldn’t be trusted.”
* And the Quinn campaign released a photo comparing Romney’s disclosed tax returns to Rauner’s…
More here.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:25 am
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Previous Post: Umm…
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Rauner Crew,
“It’s more than Jason Plummer!”
You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:29 am
Rauner will do what it takes to win, including not releasing his full returns for any of the last four years.
Only one return is still being finalized. The rest are available right now for him to do as he wishes. Since we already know about the Cayman’s, one wonders what else there might be.
I still give him credit for the taxes he has paid, which are more than many of his peers pay.
Comment by walker Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:38 am
What good is having shady offshore bank accounts if you have to disclose them? Just think of all the rouge employees rauner could be exposing to prosecution if he comes clean!
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:39 am
===Releasing tax information is a low bar of disclosure for a public official, not a ‘diversion’ as Rauner says it is. It’s an easy test of whether he is worthy of the public’s trust. Bruce Rauner has failed that most basic test and he shouldn’t be trusted.===
We know Quinn’s record. If we are to vote for the change that Rauner represents, is it too much to ask that he release his full tax records, schedules included, so that we can actually understand him better. If other pols release their taxes and full schedules, I don’t understand why Bruce won’t.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:40 am
Why would anybody running for public office not want to release their tax filings?
Comment by forwhatitsworth Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:41 am
When he said “My tax rate is the same as Gov. Quinn” was that an indication that Rauner does not know that IL has a flat tax, or was that Rauner hoping voters do not know IL has a flat tax?
Is he clueless, or is he counting on voters being clueless?
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:47 am
Excellent photo.
Will PQ put ad points behind this to move numbers?
Comment by Langhorne Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:50 am
Well this could be a lot of things…
As we saw from Rod in the past, releasing your taxes right before election day wasn’t a bad strategy because it reduced the time for anything awkward to be processed by voters.
Keeping the returns private as long as you could helped Rod.
Or
There is a chance they are playing rope-a-dope with Quinn, hear me out on this. You figure Rauner did 8 degrees of opo research on himself and has been thinking about running for a while, long enough that he could have gotten his business affairs in shape/set up in 2013 so that the returns would reveal some very positive stuff.
So he releases in October and the stories coming out of it are positive and dominate the news cycles right before the election. No smoking gun for Quinn on Rauner taxes, Rauner gives millions to widows and orphans, etc…. Not sure how likely this one is, but I think it is a real option. Dude does seem that clever.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 10:54 am
Gooner, he means he pays the same federal tax rate as Quinn.
PS, you are not voting for Rauner even if he released full tax returns for the last 10 years.
Comment by Wally Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:08 am
That’s true Wally. I’m not voting for Rauner. While the deceptive comments bother me, my main concern is that he has a tax plan that seems designed to slow economic growth.
We’ve got the lowest unemployment in six years. We are finally on the right track. And Rauner wants to impose a burdensome new tax that will create business for accountants and destroy business for the rest of us.
So yeah, I’m not voting for him. I do, however, stand by my former comments.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:12 am
===We’ve got the lowest unemployment in six years. We are finally on the right track.===
Doesn’t take much to convince you, eh, just this one report, now we are finally on the right track? Yikes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:14 am
The tax attack is already old.
Find something new.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:20 am
Actually Oswego, the numbers have been going down for five straight months. It is the steepest one year decline in 30 years.
I know, I know. That doesn’t involve GOTV or Payton Prep, so you probably missed those stories.
They matter to the rest of us though.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:20 am
Vanilla Man, a rabid Republican, wants the media to stop talking about taxes.
That sure seems like the stories are having an impact.
If they didn’t matter, Vanilla wouldn’t care.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:22 am
Gooner, let me refer you to the first story posted today and read all the comments. You may think differently after you see why that UE number is lower.
Comment by Wally Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:24 am
===We’ve got the lowest unemployment in six years. We are finally on the right track.===
===the numbers have been going down for five straight months. It is the steepest one year decline in 30 years.===
Hmmm.
It’s easy to read…but impossible to be a mind reader as to what point is being made.
Food for thought…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:24 am
Oswego, could you repost in English? I couldn’t follow that odd collection of words you tossed out there.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:26 am
Vanilla Man, a rabid Republican, wants the media to stop talking about taxes.
Wrong, twice!
It is time for a new issue to go after Rauner with. The tax issue is a cul de sac of boring. We got the message over the past four months - he’s rich.
Freakin’ move on, already!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:32 am
Millionaire Congressman Brad Schneider has refused to release his joint returns for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Rauner has released far more than “Businessman Brad.”
Number of people in the press screaming and hounding Brad to release his returns? Zero. Number of Democrats screaming for Brad to release his returns? Zero.
What is the difference here? Why that double standard?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:35 am
* And the Quinn campaign released a photo comparing Romney’s disclosed tax returns to Rauner’s…
And how did that work out for Romney?
Comment by phocion Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:37 am
Goomer,
Ummm, no. For one thing I doubt few of us who have been here a while would consider VM a rabid Republican.
His point, which I think has some merit (then again I am a Republican) is that I don’t think there ‘where are the tax returns’ argument really is going to work. It didn’t work with Rod and like any attack on a candidate has a limited shelf life.
Go ask Joe voter if Rauner has released his tax returns, if Quinn has released his tax returns and see how many voters know or care.
I don’t think anyone goes into a voting booth and thinks “Well he didn’t release his tax information so therefore I am not going to vote for that dude”
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:37 am
Your loss
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:37 am
I thought politicians wearing helmets for public consumption went out with Dukakis.
There’s no point in releasing partial tax returns. All or nothing. Partials just raise the question of what you’re not releasing.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:44 am
Also does Quinn feel all candidates for office need to release their tax returns? Including legislative candidates?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:47 am
Sure Vanilla. You are a moderate who often supports Democrats.
And I’m the full back for the three lions.
Hey, if we are going to go with fantasy labels, lets all do so.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:48 am
great visual of Romney vs. Rauner taxes.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:52 am
I find it interesting Goomer that since you have only been here since May and VM has been around forever that you can after 3 months draw a conclusion.
But I am glad you have figured out our little right wing conspiracy…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 11:53 am
In fact using that handy search function I can find lots of examples of VM acting all Democratic
Hey look Sue - your court settlement was published!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 8, 14 @ 1:23 pm
Sue, it says this person is looking for a LBSW - too bad you’re not a Liberal Blonde Swedish Woman!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 8, 14 @ 1:27 pm
Good thing these Wranglers cover up my new mink boxers!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 8, 14 @ 1:40 pm
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 9:53 am:
And Evelyn.
I remember a lady named Evelyn.
Her friends would let her out of the house and speak publically either.
As a matter of fact, the only time I saw Evelyn was when I caught sight of her in the basement. My friends would yell over her as she complained how no one let her out of there, and tell me to ignore her.
Another VM comment…
Considering how he is when it comes to our Lt. Governor candidate if that is the definition of Republican Hack I can say..
As a Republican hack, VM you are no Republican hack…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:05 pm
One Man,
Since May? You looked it up?
Hey, you care! How touching! Thanks, in a weird semi-stalking sort of way.
But to your post –
A “conspiracy”?
Wow, dude. If that’s a “conspiracy” it is the most incompetent “conspiracy” ever.
One Man, have you actually read his stuff?
Vanilla Man is like our own little especially angry version of Illinois Review.
If you think he’s some sort of moderate, that says more about you than about anything else.
And by the way, it is “Gooner” and not “Goomer.” If you are going to toss stuff at me, at least get my name right.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:05 pm
The tax attacks only win over voters he already has. That is why it gets cheers from his supporters and yawns from everyone else. It was news early in the summer, but we’re talking Labor Day.
Is this all he has?
Who is his reelection team?
How many times do they think they have a chance at the apple with voters?
They’ve moved on. They haven’t forgotten, but they aren’t listening to this jazz anymore. Repackaging it isn’t helping. You only get a couple cracks at it before it starts to sound like old news.
This issue has a foot-long gray beard on it.
Quinn made his point about Rauner’s wealth. He has a need to make lots and lots more of those little points to deflate Rauner.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:12 pm
Gooner
Yeah I typed your name in the search box in the corner..Took all of about 10 seconds.
Most of that was the actual typing.
So if using a Google search box on a site to search a site is stalking then I am guilty I guess…
BTW the conspiracy thing was a joke..
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:25 pm
Vanillaman:
Being Rich isn’t the problem.
It is how he got rich and stayed rich that is the problem.
People don’t dislike Bill Gates, Michael Jordan or Oprah for their wealth.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:37 pm
Transparency. It’s not his wealth, it’s that he seems to want to keep it all secret. Why? When you are running for a public position, spending public money, I think the public has a right to know how honest and law-abiding you are–if you are trustworthy with their hard earned money. Given Illinois’ track record with governors in prison, I think we need transparency on financial matters.
Comment by AnonymousOne Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:44 pm
Gooner:
I don’t see how Rauner is referring to federal tax rates.
According to news reports, Quinn’s only income is his salary, which puts him squarely in the 28% bracket.
If a guy who made $53 million last year is paying the same federal tax rate as middle class families, he shouldn’t be bragging about it.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:46 pm
AnonymousOne
So you feel that is true for folks running for other offices? Should Mike Madigan release his full tax forms? How about the Mayor of Tinley Park?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:46 pm
Yellow Dog,
I agree 100% with your comments.
Even in the best case scenario for Rauner (i.e. he was referencing fed rates rather than counting on ignorance of state rates) the comments don’t help him.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:54 pm
OOF.
Rauner lied. Repeatedly. On camera.
According to his own releases, Rauner only paid a federal tax rate of 19%.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 12:58 pm
Its time to move onto a new line of attack.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 1:15 pm
Okay VanillaMan, how about this one:
Millions of Illinoisans, get up every day and work hard to get ahead.
But not Bruce Rauner.
Bruce Rauner got richer by dodging taxes, and now he’s dodging reporters questions and dodging responsibility.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 1:19 pm
Public employees salaries are open for public viewing and comments, critique, analysis, etc. Transparency. If you are running for the highest office in this state, why would hide your income? If you had earned it with public funds, it’d be available for scrutiny. Rauner’s income is not. When you run for a public office and your income is posted for everyone to see, owning 9 homes is almost certainly not possible on a public income unless there’s some funny stuff going on. Rauner is an unknown. Folks just want to know who he is, where he’s coming from. Why such mystery and intrigue? Who can vote for someone without know who they’re voting for?
Comment by AnonymousOne Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 1:39 pm
how out of touch can you get,most people have there taxes done by april 15 (i can`t relate).001% are special and it show`s well
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 1:46 pm
Rauner knows he’s ahead. After all, he’s a real “man of the people.” Release more tax returns? We don’t need to release more stinking tax returns.
Comment by lovecraft Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 1:56 pm
Anonymouse:
Apparently, Rauner has something to hide.
What could be worse than parking hundreds of millions in the Cayman Islands to avoid paying taxes?
Maybe he has money invested with the Russian oligarchs too? Gun manufacturers?
It is hard to imagine what could be worse, but we ought to find out soon.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 1:57 pm
We should see those of anyone running for statewide office and the ILGA leaders.
Everyone from Quinn, Rauner, Simon and Topinka to Madigan, Durkin, Cullerton and Radogno.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 2:04 pm
Millions of Illinoisans, get up every day and work hard to get ahead.
(Scene: family starting their day…)
“Pat Quinn supports the millions of Illinoisans who get up every morning and work hard to earn a living. Today, with our state economy turning around, even more Illinoisans are discovering that having Pat Quinn as Governor, helps them get ahead!
Thanks Governor Quinn!”
________________________________________________
“Governor Quinn knows most of us live from paycheck to paycheck. We don’t have millions to hide in overseas tax shelters. Pat Quinn knows that government depends upon Illinoisans like us, who play by the rules, not upon people like Bruce Rauner who bends them.
We all win, when our governor is Quinn.”
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 2:45 pm
=We all win, when our governor is Quinn=
Not the Illinoisans who get up every morning and work hard for the public. Apparently they are members of a subclass of citizens.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 2:51 pm
He can run but he can’t hide.
What HAS already has been revealed sure ain’t pretty, though, and most Voters will likely conclude that by NOT releasing everything–now that for instance we HAVE learned about the Zero Income Taxes/Zip on his part on paying into Social Security for that period, not to MENtion the Cayman Island Debacle (!)–that there is NO Doubt that he’s hiding stuff, or at least SOMEthin’ else BIIIIIGGGGG, that Rauner doesn’t want Illinoisans (or the World for that matter) to know about, and would be roundly embarrassed about/severely criticized about from here until he hopes he can JUST eke one out on Nov. 4th while trying to pull one out over the Citezenry’s eyes, between now and Election Day…!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 3:56 pm
That was meant to read in the last line above, “…Citizenry’s eyes…!”
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 3:57 pm
Agreed Vanillaman, a strong closing argument.
But I still think Quinn needs to contrast with Rauner.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 15, 14 @ 4:11 pm