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Pritchard talks taxes, reforms

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* If you go to about the 27-minute mark of this BlueRoomStream.com video, you’ll hear Republican state Rep. Bob Pritchard tell a Chicago audience yesterday that he is open to some specific tax proposals.

“We’ve got to look realistically at some revenue situations,” Pritchard said while speaking on a panel convened by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

“Broadening the sales tax,” Rep. Pritchard said, “could be part of the solution… perhaps even bring the rate down a little bit.” He didn’t say it, but he was likely referring to a sales tax on services.

He also said legislators “should look again at some type of income tax,” and “some type of pension tax,” but said he also wanted some of Gov. Rauner’s business-related reforms, without specifying which ones he backed.

Later, he said he thinks “most legislators” are coming to realize that more revenues are needed. But he also said he wants to see workers’ comp and tort reforms, as well as some modest limits on the prevailing wage.

* Related…

* Illinois Lawmakers: Rank-And-File Legislators Key To Breaking Budget Impasse

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:29 am

Comments

Have any Republicans shown that they can govern with current revenue levels? Until they do, tying big asks to tax increases is just bluffing. Do your job first. Then ask for extras.

Comment by Elo Kiddies Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:35 am
“We’ve got to look realistically at some revenue situations.”

The sad fact that Rep. Pritchard’s observation is newsworthy casts into stark relief the dire state of our state.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:37 am
===But he also said he wants to see workers’ comp and tort reforms, as well as some modest limits on the prevailing wage.===

You make this…

“But he also said he wants to see workers’ comp and tort reforms, as well as a possible 3 year freeze on the prevailing wage…”

Big wins for Rauner, Labor sees no reduced prevailing wage, and revenue, that Rauner Required Revenue, is back on the table.

I don’t think an income tax (see: #TaxHikeMike) will be possible for a vote until January 2017, but the path listed above is eerily similar to a list Rich Miller had here.

We’ll see…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:38 am
==…pension tax…==
A pension tax=stepping on the third rail.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:49 am
NIU Community - Keep up the pressure. Pritchard’s rhetoric doesn’t get the money flowing to the university. You need action.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:49 am
Take your time, Bob. Keep ruminating on it. Don’t rush into anything. It’s only April.

It’s not like NIU, Kishwaukee College and every social service agency with state contracts in DeKalb County hasn’t taken a royal bloody rodgering since you and the governor pulled the rug out from under them last May.

What’s an unexpected $64 million hit to a town like DeKalb, anyway? It’s not like the entire community’s economy has been built up around NIU over the last 120 years.

They’ll just cash-in their Green Stamps, while you figure it out.

I’m sure it’s all been worth it for a something-something Turnaround. You voted to whack your peeps, time and again, after all.

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2016/02/11/urgent-call-for-action-issued-at-niu-budget-stalemate-rally/ajp4ku/?page=1

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:51 am
This resembles what Rauner has been saying since at least July 2014. He is open to broadening the sale tax base. He was also signaling even before he was elected that he was open to compromise on increased revenue, most likely through the sales tax.
As for what reforms, if any, Democrats are willing to compromise on, the answer is less clear.

Comment by No Use For A Name Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:53 am
== A pension tax=stepping on the third rail. ==

Yep. Old folks vote on a regular basis. Going to have to be carefully crafted if it is to have any hope of passing.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:57 am
===This resembles what Rauner has been saying since at least July 2014.===

Except for those few meetings in Decatur when decimating Unions was 1st, Last, and always.

Info think it’s cute you fall back on what Rauner “ran on” (allegedly) and ignore the last 14 months of what Rauner has done.

This is how I know you’re a gag.

===He is open to broadening the sale tax base.===

“… If you give me my crippling Union demands” - Fake Bruce Rauner.

Also, it’s not a “give” if revenue is required. Rauner requires revenue. Not optional.

Willfully ignorant, plain and simple, lol.

===He was also signaling even before he was elected that he was open to compromise on increased revenue, most likely through the sales tax.===

“… if my Turnaround Agenda is passed.” - Fake Bruce Rauner.

It can’t be an accident that you keep forgetting the hostages. You can’t be that dense you keep forgetting that…

===As for what reforms, if any, Democrats are willing to compromise on, the answer is less clear.===

Rauner keeps saying he has “all these Democratic Legislators.

Maybe YOU should ask him, “Where are all these Dems you talk about?”

You won’t.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:01 am
== a pension tax ==

Republicans insist a millionaire’s tax would cause millionaires to leave the state. Wouldn’t the same be true for retirees with a new tax on their pensions? Many could afford to relocate to Florida or another state without an income tax.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:16 am
== you fall back on what Rauner “ran on” (allegedly) ==

Rauner during the early days of the primary accurately reflected his Shut Down the State If I have To / Turnaround Agenda. Later in the primary and during the general election espoused much more moderate positions.

If you’re going to talk about his pre-election agenda, you have to specify which one!

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:24 am
== Many could afford to relocate to Florida or another state without an income tax. ==

States without an income tax have other taxes; look before you leap. Not too many states left that exempt all retirement income.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:26 am
Would pensioners flee the state the way millionaires purportedly would? Airplane tickets are cheap between Florida and Illinois. Retirees don’t have jobs holding them here, and sometimes their grandkids are out of state anyway. As a bonus, retirees living outside Chicago who move would also leave behind one of the highest property taxes in the nation.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:31 am
Bob talks a tough game…but history tells us he folds when the going gets tough. Not a candidate for the profiles in courage award.

Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:12 pm
Politicians better take into consideration what other tax revenue will be lost, due to retirees moving, as compared to what they think they will gain with a tax on retirement income! Also note the anger of the retiree vote!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:28 pm
== Many could afford to relocate to Florida or another state without an income tax. ==

No senior citizen who has nothing but Social Security money to live on could afford to move out of state, & they can not afford to have their Social Security check reduced by taxing it.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Rep. Pritchard talked specifically about “pensions.” He did not bring up Social Security.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:44 pm
‘what Rauner “ran on” (allegedly)’
Ugh. He has consistently said publicly and privately he is open to raising the sales tax. The first results of a simple google search show articles covering this from July 2014, February 2015 and October 2015.
It has been, and remains, a point of possible middle ground. Not that facts, accurate reporting, or anything else could interfere with such a presictable and one-sided ‘bit’.

Comment by No Use For A Name' Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 1:02 pm
===He has consistently said publicly and privately he is open to raising the sales tax.===

#TaxHikeMike

There will be no tax increase.

Rauner isn’t giving. Seriously, how ignorant are you? Revenue is required, it’s not a give. Are you such a shill you don’t “understand” the words “give” and “required”?

Willfully ignorant to fact.

===The first results of a simple google search show articles covering this from July 2014, February 2015 and October 2015.===

Google #NoTaxMike and while you’re using the search key? Look at candidate Rauner pushing for the sunsetting of the Income Tax. You’re welcome.

===It has been, and remains, a point of possible middle ground.===

I requirement can’t be negotiated. LOL.

===Not that facts, accurate reporting, or anything else could interfere with such a presictable and one-sided ‘bit’.===

It seems you keep refereeing to the 2013 conversation in Golden Horseshoe nominations, a joke between myself and - Cincinnatus-

If you think I’m a bit, ask around.

(Banned Word)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 1:10 pm
More political theatre. Rauner would veto this and his veto would not be overridden.

Rauner would not even support a temporary tax hike, for the duration of his administration only, that was specifically targeted to paying overdue bills let alone anything like this.

Any real discussion could only begin when Rauner is no longer Governor.

Comment by Federalist Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 1:15 pm
== Rep. Pritchard talked specifically about “pensions.” He did not bring up Social Security. ==

If they go after pensions only, it could look like they are only targeting the non-coordinated State retirees (teachers) and, while it is a stretch, there is an argument to be made it is the State doing a backdoor diminishment of the pension since the State did not allow the teachers to participate in the state tax exempt Social Security. It’s an equal treatment issue. Far from a guarenteed winner, but it could delay the tax. Better to tax all retirement income with a high exemption so you avoid that possibility … but then you have to explain the high exemption means it won’t affect most people, which is a harder sell.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 2:13 pm
No problem in expanding taxes on services as long as it applies to the kinds of services wealthy people use…financial advisor, estate planning, tax preparation, investment account managing, and not just the nail salons and hair stylists.

Comment by NoGifts Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 5:07 pm
No retiree I know would leave IL based on tax policy.

Comment by W. N. Bilbo Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 6:05 pm
I’m on the verge of leaving Illinois when I retire in 4 years. A tax on my pension would only cement a move to Florida, which doesn’t have an income tax AND has low property taxes.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 9:11 pm
True story, if you call it a “pension tax” you’re not going to get a lot of support for it.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Apr 14, 16 @ 9:08 am