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* A post about Gov. Rauner vetoing a couple of bills has been deleted. While doing ten things at once I somehow misread the darned e-mail. He signed the bills. Sheesh. Sorry about that! Bad me!!! I think I need more coffee or something.

Let’s make this an open thread.

*** UPDATE *** This post is also going to have to serve as today’s question since I forgot to post one. Man, what a week. I need a nap.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:46 pm

Comments

I’d like to know what everyone thinks would be a good compromise on income tax? I’d suggest 5.5% on everything including retirement, with the first $35k exempt for those over 65. Not sure if that would cover the gap, but sounds reasonable to me.

Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:52 pm
That’s really funny! I tried clicking on it and it crashed. “Oh crap”, I thought I’ve killed my system! Shape up Miller! It’s not like you do anything except post crap on the computer. s/

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:52 pm
Rich, I was going to criticize the Governor for vetoing common sense legislation that will help keep kids from getting lead in their water, but now I guess i have to criticize him for increasing burdensome government regulations. /s

Comment by Juice Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:54 pm
“Muni Memorial Day observances?”

Oswego has a parade and a wonderful observance at the Cemetery to commemorate the day, and no real overtly political shenanigans. I enjoy it very much each year.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Meanwhile in the Carbondale Music scene, a local group “The Swamp Tigers” are hosting a CD release party tonight at the Old Feed Store in Cobden.

As much as the state is a mess, there is still some good music rolling around Illinois. Chicago is the hub, but Carbondale still rocks if you ask me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HH2QyrvVtA

Comment by Saluki Friday, May 27, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Robert -

I wouldn’t think it even needs to go that high. It was at 5.0 and Quinn was able to make pension payments and pay down the backlog. It would take a while longer, but returning the tax rate to where it was before would probably be more politically palatable.

To the post - It’s your busiest time of year Rich, mistakes like that are to be expected. IPI has an entire staff of people to double check stuff, and they get almost everything wrong!

Comment by fka Lester Holt's Mustache Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Official holiday starts 3 pm today and ends midnight on Monday. Have some fun, be safe and remember those who have fought and died.

Comment by pool boy Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:02 pm
I thought I was the only one to be censored.

Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:16 pm
== I’d like to know what everyone thinks would be a good compromise on income tax? ==

Since we’re stuck with a flat tax, let’s raise it enough (8% - 10% ?) to eliminate 1/2 of the local school property tax. Include all retirement income regardless of age, and exempt the first $35K per retiree. Extend the sales tax to most services.

I have no idea if I would personally win or lose under this proposal, but it “feels” right.

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Regardless of the tax rate chosen, I’d much rather they underestimate revenue and overestimate expenses. I’d like to see us work in our debt and bill backlog, and if that means an even higher rate for a couple years, that would put my mind more at ease. I truly believe we are living too close to the financial edge as a state, and there is too much chaos in the world for us to do that. Since our property taxes are relatively high, but our income taxes low, I’d probably start at 5.9%, drop that by about .1% per year over a decade, and dedicate a portion of that to local governments for property tax relief. Combined with fiscal discipline, limiting spending increases to the rate of growth in revenue, we could be in great financial shape a decade from now.

Comment by AC Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:31 pm
I understand there are those who want to change the Workers Compensation System. I do not know how much the system currently costs: legal, medical, ect. I do not know exactly what changes Radogno and Durkin are foaming at the mouth over? I do not know how much they are wanting to reduce the cost of the system? Are there no sheets from Radogno or Durkin to explain some Case Scenarios and how the costs work out?
My observation over the years is, when there is a lot of noise and smoke and no hard facts, you are getting BS’d big time.

Comment by Beaner Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:35 pm
+1 vote for RNUG’s tax plan. Don’t know if you could sell 8% though. Maybe 6.25? I think that’s the widest bracket in WI, and lower than Minnesota, just a bit higher than Iowa

Comment by fka Lester Holt's Mustache Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:36 pm
===or something.===

Sounds like code for Oscar and the pontoon boat on the lake to me

Comment by frisbee Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:37 pm
RNUG- that high? You don’t think maybe 6 or 6.5% would work if we included retirement? 8-10% might really have people heading for the hills.

Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:45 pm
==I thought I was the only one to be censored.==

My entirely uninformed and unsubstantiated belief is that posts are deleted based on a sophisticated spam filter, unknown banned words, and Rich’s sensibilities at a given time. The most worthy posts that don’t initially make it seem to get rescued from the trash heap within about 15 minutes, sometimes. Regards, the signal to noise ratio here is really good and generally overcomes any frustration from disappearing posts, but I do with the site gave some feedback. It is tough to tell the difference between a technical issue, a user issue (did I click Say it or accidentally something else) and legitimate filtering or moderation.

Comment by AC Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Folks in the western suburbs/exurbs should get a sitter for Saturday night: Rick Sherry’s Sanctified Grumblers are playing Frankie’s Blue Room in Naperville at 8 pm.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:50 pm
Oscar pix….please!!!!!!!!

Comment by Amalia Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:51 pm
A 300% income tax increase suggested by a retired tax eater with a 3% COLA. I guess it “feels” right to him/her.

Comment by Thunder Fred Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:54 pm
Sigh…Let’s remember our fallen warriors this weekend and Go Cubs!

Comment by Wensicia Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:56 pm
Maybe 7%, but I don’t think it needs to go that high. Include all federally taxed income except for the required exemption of federal obligations. Exemption for retirement income $25K individual/ $32K couple same as federal rule for Social Security. If you already got it at the federal level, you don’t get it again at the state. This puts all retirees on an equal footing. Increase personal exemption to at least $10K. Eliminate EITC; reduce real estate taxes and eliminate credits that partially refund them like tuition tax credit and homeowner tax credit. And you still need to look at sales taxes.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:57 pm
==My entirely uninformed and unsubstantiated belief is that posts are deleted based on a sophisticated spam filter, unknown banned words, and Rich’s sensibilities at a given time. ==

Especially the last, given Rich’s long-standing disgust with talking points and low-information posts.

Comment by Agricola Friday, May 27, 16 @ 3:59 pm
==8-10% might really have people heading for the hills.==

I was shocked that with a year and 1/2 of the lower tax rate that the estimated tax requirement was only 5.5%. With late fees and interest, I didn’t think spending was substantially reduced, and since 1.5 years multiplied by 1.25% plus 5% is 6.875% that was my expectation.

Comment by AC Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:00 pm
“Man, what a week. I need a nap.” Have a good glass, or maybe several, of red wine as well - just might help. It usually works for for me.

Comment by illini Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Rich,

It’s all good. Your hard work, especially these past few weeks, has given all of us some incredible insight and knowledge we can’t find anywhere else. That’s why there’s no place like this blog.

Thanks for all you do.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:04 pm
==A 300% income tax increase suggested by a retired tax eater with a 3% COLA. I guess it “feels” right to him/her.==

Did I mistype “Capitol Fax” and wind up in the Tribune comment section by mistake? It was just a suggestion

Comment by fka Lester Holt's Mustache Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:05 pm
Willy + 1

Comment by illini Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:13 pm
Tuesday is also the day that signatures need to be submitted for the Dem & Rep committeemen to fill vacancies when no one was elected in the primary.

Anyone hear about anyone out circulating for the General Assembly?

Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:17 pm
“a retired tax eater”

What is a tax eater? Is this the new maker/taker argument?

Comment by #5 Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:22 pm
Nice to see that the guy who designed Squeezy the Pension Python apparently found work designing cartoon ads for Capitol Fax.

Comment by That Guy Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Rich, enjoy the holiday - - you earned it.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:31 pm
Excessively Rabid- seems fair.

AC- I was surprised by 5.5% too.

Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:37 pm
While driving, please put your phone down and get your head out of your aps.

Have a safe holiday. Everybody get home safe.

Comment by Huh? Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Yeah…what Willie said.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:45 pm
- Robert the 1st -

I don’t know what a good number would be … but remember my proposal is replacing a lot of local property tax money for the schools. Might as well start with a big number and negotiate down to what is doable.

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:48 pm
- AC -

From having run an open blog at one time, I have a fair idea of the kind of filtering software Rich is using. I’m sure there is not only keyword filters but also address filters, and maybe some other stuff.

Whatever the combination, it works fairly well.

And I have 4 or 5 of my posts go off into never-never land most days … usually when I’m roaming on public networks. Sometimes Rich catches and restores them, other times he doesn’t. Such is life on the internet…

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:55 pm
== A 300% income tax increase suggested by a retired tax eater with a 3% COLA. I guess it “feels” right to him/her. ==

I also suggested a 50% reduction in the property tax that would actually result in quite a few people paying less in total than today.

If you want the State uphold it’s constitutional responsibility to be the primary funder of education, you have to raise the revenue one way or the other.

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:01 pm