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I just sent out an “extra” but I thought you might like to comment on this new development here. From a Senate President Emil Jones press release…
“I want to clarify unequivocally that I will not call any bill for a vote that raises the income tax or sales tax on people. The GRT will provide statewide property tax relief and put $10 billion more dollars in our education system in Illinois. The GRT is the fair way to fund education and healthcare and to make sure big business is paying its fair share.â€
Jones had said before that he might call another tax bill for a vote if the gross receipts tax failed. This statement ups the ante in a huge way.
It could be a long, hot summer in Springfield, campers.
*** UPDATE *** This is what Sen. Jones said right after the governor’s budget address…
[Asked about whether he would call HB/SB 750 for a vote…]
“I do not intend to put two tax proposals out there for the members to be voting on.”
[Asked what would happen if the GRT doesn’t pass…]
“Well, if it doesn’t pass then we go back to the drawing board, as we’ve done in the past.”
That statement is now, apparently, “inoperative.”
During that press conference, when Jones was pressed on whether he was leaving the door open to a personal income tax increase, he said, “No.”
However, when Jones was specifically asked whether the income tax increase was dead for this session, he said, “Possibly.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Meanwhile, the governor was red-baited by yet another editorial board, this time it was the Belleville News-Democrat…
We’d rather have lawmakers spend time debating the consequences of Comrade, er Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s gross receipts tax
Unreal.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:56 am
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Great. Let Jones string out his members to vote for a $7 billion tax increase in the Senate. Then he can watch as the bill goes down in flames in the House, with about 30 votes. Then we can go to overtime session, and Jones can try to woo GOP votes for his package, put his targets on another tax increase, or go home empty-handed.
Earth to Jones, Blagojevich: Your MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY attitude is not going to lead to constructive solutions. Just as in marriage, ultimatums in the legislative process are a sign of weakness, not strength.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 10:11 am
Absolutely crazy!
It is either total death for the state or death for this administration?
Thats too easy!
Has Rod and Emil been nibbling on some pet food?
They are out of their minds!
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 10:56 am
Is this the same Emil Jones that lambasted Pate Philip for not calling the Edgar income tax bill…
The same Emil Jones that has advocated for its passage for 30 years…
I guess everyone has a price.
Comment by 4% Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:06 am
4% — I hope some crafty person takes the time to resurrect those old Emil Jones quotes. Maybe a task for the CapitolFax intern?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:19 am
Emil Jones is demonstrating that, like Rod Blagojevich, he does not believe in democracy. It’s undemocratic for him to outright prevent our elected representatives from voting on House Bill 750. I don’t know how anyone can vote for a candidate who does not support democracy.
Comment by Squideshi Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:20 am
Just a passing comment……First the GRT was going to raise $6 billion in new revenue. In a SJR tax article today it mentions that $7 billion in new revenue will be available. Now Saint Emil says this will “put $10 billion more dollars in our education system in Illinois”. Anyone out there know why the amount of $$$ the GRT will generate keeps going up. I have a strange feeling we all need to begin an exercise program and need to start by practicing grabbing our ankles.
Comment by Jechislo Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:31 am
It’s $6 bil in the first year, more in the out years.
The $10 bil for education is over four or five years (can’t remember at the moment), not all at once.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:42 am
YDD, you somehow read my mind.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:48 am
Rich -
Can you post the press release?
Comment by anon Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:50 am
The complete Emil Jones press release is already posted above.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:51 am
Thanks Rich.
Comment by anon Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 11:57 am
I don’t have any inside info, but I see a coup developing.
Emil Jones is on the wrong side of too many issues, too many high visibility issues.
If Senate Dems are smart they’ll figure a way to dump Jones.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:06 pm
Senator Meeks just got xoxiix!!
You know what I mean. Don’t want to get permanently banished.
Comment by Larry McKeon Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:08 pm
Who is next in line after Emil? His members aren’t going to march into the sea.
Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:28 pm
“Inoperative” I wish I had thought of that word, which best describes our goverNOT and legislature.
Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:28 pm
The greedy forces of evil are gathering to oppose our Governor who is doing God’s will. Remember, the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Kingdom.
All I can say is, let the state roll on.
If our Godly Governor’s opponents want to be numbered with the sinners, so be it. But judgment day is coming. They can join us now, or be forced to join us then.
Amen and amen!!!
You cannot serve mammon. Our governor will make sure you don’t. It’s called freedom and justice. The state must take from the greedy and give to the needy. Thats what religious freedom and America is all about. And even the courts back the governor up.
Think about it. Then you’ll support our righteous governor.
Comment by Bill, of Goods Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:43 pm
In what way does Emil think the GRT will provide property tax relief.
Is he trying to get over on us with the notion that more money for schools from the GRT will automatically result in lowering property taxes.
If that is what he is saying, that is so not true
and he is being so disingenuous to put it politely.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:47 pm
Cassandra, Jones and Blagojevich have both said they favor some form of property tax relief targeted at lower-income areas.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:49 pm
And BoG, you might want to lighten up on the snark before somebody takes you seriously and tosses a net over your head. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:50 pm
It appears from the postings that the Governor and Sen. Jones have done their job in changing the frame of the debate. No one is now not talking about any increase in taxes, just what taxes should be raised. It appears even that some posters on this blog are not opposed to either an income or sales tax increase since you are upset that Sen. Jones will not call such a bill. If you are opposed, his comment should not concern you and you would support it.
Comment by Iwonder Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 1:07 pm
But how do they define “low income area.” There are a number of families who have comparatively low incomes who have struggled and saved to move into more affluent areas than they could normally afford just so their kids can go to better schools. And what about those areas which tax themselves more heavily than others not because they are wealthy but because they are committed to better schools. It seems to me that
these citizens should have property tax relief as well, not just those living in low-income areas,
however those are defined.
I guess we need to see the actual bill or bills first, but I hope the Cook and collar suburban residents are watching carefully and I hope some reporter or advocacy group will be ready to run the numbers for everybody when they do.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 1:10 pm
So it is Jones & Blago vs the whole state democratic party AND the Republicans too!!! This is better than one of those movies on Lifetime!
Comment by He Makes Ryan look like a saint Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 1:41 pm
Wants to give tax relief??? What about relief from Ameran???
Comment by What were they thinking? Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 1:44 pm
Rich, you mean to tell me that BoG and the infamous “Bill” as not one-and-the-same?? They certainly appear to rant in identical ways…
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 2:01 pm
These guys ought to be Republicans, the way that they mess with the numbers.
Comment by Truthful James Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 2:11 pm
I am pretty sure BoG is a sarcastic lad, I think Bill believes what he says. All of the references to the gov being communist are kind of scary. Do people really believe he is one or are they using to much hyperbole? I was a kid when the cold war ended, but being called a communist was about as ugly a thing as you could be called.
Comment by leigh Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 2:32 pm
When the IPA plays big brother, the red-baiting should surprise no one. I’m amazed your reference to this made it into your column.
Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 2:43 pm
I like that comparing President Jones to Pate. Can we move on to the mega casino deal or do we need to wait for GRT(Goofy Rod’s Tax) to implode?
Comment by GettingJonesed Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 3:04 pm
I would like to think of something to say about Emil Jones. Unfortunately, at this point the next election campaign season will have come and gone before I can think of something!
Comment by fedup dem Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 3:21 pm
Do you think Rod or Emil will answer the following questions?
1. What is “Fair Share?â€
2. Name one big corporation in Illinois that does not offer some form of health care insurance?
3. If health care is so expensive why is there a proposal to place a 1.8% tax of doctors?
4. Why do you want to take away a funding method for education to fund state pensions?
I sure would like to hear their answers.
Comment by It's 5 O'clock somewhere Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 3:37 pm
This is hilarious. The same tactic the White House uses to get public support, the wonderful working class hero Governor and Mr. Jones use. “It will put 10 billion more towards education. ” B.S. Thsi proposal stinks. I don’t mind paying a few more bucks a week in income taxes. I saw a few trucking firms leave the state when Blago did all his fee hikes. This one could start a real exodus. I’m a diehard Democrat Governor. But I sure as hell understand that to employ people, business has to be profitable. They don’t have time to fight goofball proposals and run their operations. They’re not all evil.
Comment by chalkline Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 3:37 pm
There’s another possibility of course, that what we’re really negotiating toward is a massive expansion of gambling. Emil wants it. Link wants it. Daley wants it. The Chicagoland Chamber wants it. Blagojevich will sign off on it, notwithstanding earlier promises.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 3:50 pm
You’re right, YDD, but you’d have to fill the Sears Tower with a casino to bring in the revenues he’s talking about.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 4:00 pm
Emil and Rod have their hands in each others’ pocket’s.
Comment by Democrat's Love Fest Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 5:56 pm
Emil “promises” “statewide property tax relief”. We don’t need politicians promises, we need the abolishment of the property tax. Our representatives, senators, and governor need to understand that respect is earned not merely granted. I for one am becoming more and more disappointed with the total absolute lack of any statesmen in our government. Their sandbox childish game playing disgusts me. I long ago gave up on the governor - he has not performed, he has only campaigned and bloviated. Time for a complete considered overhaul of the taxing system on the scale of a const. convention.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 6:12 pm
A Citizen,
Lou Lang, John Fritchey, Rev. Meeks, Lou Viverto, Debbie Havlerson, Barbra Flynn Currie, and many others are “statesmen.” Illinois is fortunate to have such fine legislative leaders.
Comment by Bill Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 7:06 pm
It is time for some new leadership in the Senate. The Democratic leadership in the Governor’s Office and the Senate will destroy the Democratic Party in Illinois.
Comment by So Blue Democrat Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 7:46 pm
So Blue Dem - Not only the dems but also the gop. This state has become bankrupt of leadership on both sides. I don’t think it is solely the corruption or the “Combine”, however, when the powerbrokers operate so fluidly on both sides in the shadows and not in “our” interest but to their profit then the system in this state has become foul smelling and a gross disservice to the citizenry. It is definitely time for changes, but they need to come not only on the dem side but also the gop. The disgust should be palpable to any thinking observer.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 8:04 pm
Fitzgerald and Collins appear to be doing an exemplery job ferreting out wrongdoing and focussing on all parties regardless of “sides”. It should be noted that this is a destructive but necessary process. It must be followed by the constructive and creative efforts of honest leadership. Where are we going to find them. They are NOT Blagojevich, Thompson, Edgar, Emil etc.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 8:23 pm
Hey BoG,
What’s mammon?
Comment by Bill Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:14 pm
Mammon = money as a godhead.
Mammonogram = the terribly unpleasant pinch felt by the taxpayers of Illinois as a result of the GRT.
Comment by OAD Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:23 pm
OAD - Isn’t it actually a mammonectomy? The mammonogram is what the Department of Revenue does to obtain a view of the nature and the extent of the mammon.
Comment by Just the Facts Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:39 pm
Bill, legislative members yes, leaders NO. The TOPS are the “leaders”. Why don’t they stand up and shout for good government? Sittin back waitin don’t get it done. Again, we need leadership, now, and it’s no where to be seen, much less appreciated.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:41 pm