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* The governor was asked yesterday if he would clarify where he exactly stood on the congressional tax bill…
Reporter: Yesterday, you applauded Congress on what appears to be a deal on a tax plan for America, and it looks like it might go through tonight in the Senate. In your view, in your estimation, assessment of this bill, it’s likely to change American practice for maybe 30 years – how we run our businesses and how we run our households. What parts of it are you good with and what parts of it are you not good with?
Gov. Rauner: Yeah, so let’s talk about taxes. This is an important point and if you listen to what I said, it’s a little different than what your question was premised on and what’s being spun. I have not commented on any specifics about the federal tax proposals. And I will not. And I believe it’s a long way from being done. I think it’s a long way from being baked. They got a long way to go, and I won’t comment on any specifics.
What I applauded, and do applaud, is them trying, trying to reduce the tax burden on our families and our businesses, that’s what they’re trying to do. They’re a long way to go. And I’m applauding them for trying and for keep trying. Whatever passes in one house or the other, it’s a long way from done. And I encourage them to keep trying.
Here’s what the goal should be – every effort in tax reform should focus on one thing: increasing the net take-home pay for middle-class families. That should be the goal of any and every tax reform. Increase the net take-home pay for working-class and middle-class families. That’s it. They’re a long way from that so far, so I don’t applaud, I don’t applaud the current result, what I applaud is the process. And this is an important distinction that I want you guys to understand.
[Crosstalk]
Reporter: So, in other words, you do agree with so many who have analyzed this, that they really haven’t done a good job yet at looking out for the middle class?
Gov. Rauner: They are not where they need to be. They are not there yet.
Reporter: And what do you think it’s going to take for that to occur?
Gov. Rauner: Well again, Ed, you know, for me, it’s not a good idea – it doesn’t help anybody by trying to negotiate through the media. So, I’m talking to members of the federal administration. I’m encouraging things. We need to increase the net-take-home pay for middle-class families, for working families. Most important thing. So, I’ve encouraged them to focus on the middle-class. I’ve encouraged them to help small-business, particularly. And we’ll see where it goes. It’s a long way from done. And I don’t to get want too much to get in the middle of it.
*** UPDATE *** From a DGA press release…
While speaking with reporters yesterday, Bruce Rauner came up with his third different answer to queries if he supports the proposed GOP tax changes in Washington. Independent analysts have shown the plan would raise costs and taxes on many middle-class families while the wealthiest would get a tax cut. On Wednesday, Rauner told a Southern Illinois radio station that he “applauded” Republicans’ efforts and said, “I hope they come through.” By that afternoon, his staff claimed Rauner had merely expressing “general” support.
On to Rauner’s newest answer to a simple question: [Part of transcript from above quoted…]
Rauner acknowledges the bill is not helping the middle-class, but he still will not use his position to demand changes and continues to applaud Washington Republicans’ efforts. Got it?
“Bruce Rauner has admitted Donald Trump’s tax plan hurts the middle-class but he still supports it,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner continues to encourage and applaud Washington Republicans’ efforts to pass a tax bill, which currently benefits the wealthiest while raising taxes on middle-class families. It’s time for Rauner to take a stand and protect the people of Illinois, otherwise he’s culpable for the passage of the bill.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 1:45 pm
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He’s right that it’s not finalized, but most of the analyses I’ve seen has said it’s a moderate cut for poorer or middle class Americans, that actually turns into a tax increase after a few years, and a massive permanent cut for corporations and the rich. That’s basically the exact opposite of what Rauner just said he wants…
Comment by Perrid Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 1:48 pm
God forbid you let your constituents know that you understand the specifics of what is being proposed, how it will impact your them, and that you are advocating on their behalf.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 1:53 pm
Montrose,
In fairness to Rauner, I’m not sure if anyone really understands the specifics of what is being proposed, since it’s being rewritten on the fly right now.
OTOH, “applauding them for trying” is a low bar but given the ridiculous process, even conservatives should not be giving them participation trophies.
Comment by whetstone Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 1:57 pm
Lots of words to say…
“I want lower taxes. I dunno if this is the bill. Keep working”
That. Says. Nothing.
Rauner continues to stand for nothing that means anything and wants someone to think he’s saying something.
Sounds like a politician too…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 1:59 pm
The people the tax bill will help the most are those with the highest 1% income level. Rauner will save millions on his own taxes. Any opposition Rauner expresses will be a bit suspicious.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:00 pm
Terror attack in Paris, Rauner “bans” Syrian refugees (then immediately pretends he never did that).
Massive bill in Congress that will matter to every Illinois resident: “can’t get in the middle of that”.
Comment by PJ Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:05 pm
I wonder who he’s talking to in the “federal administration” and how he’s “encouraging” them to help the not-rich. Why do I suspect he’s not doing anything of the sort?
Comment by IllinoisBoi Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:09 pm
Does he ever say anything specific other than Madigan?
Comment by Belle Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:11 pm
Madigan and the United State Congress he controls
Comment by What's in a name? Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:13 pm
There’s something about the governor’s syntax, the repetition, the general statements…did I mention the repetition and the general statements? Not very attractive coming from a billionaire who went to exclusive, fancy schools. Makes one wonder. At least he’s not droppin’ those pesky g’s.
Of course, I suppose he would qualify for the proposed tax benefits for small businesses, especially of the pass-through variety. So there’s that. Really, I guess, he is one of the little people, just like the rest of us. s/
Comment by Jane A. Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:15 pm
Applause, applause, vociferous applause…
Comment by City Zen Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:17 pm
“It’s time for Rauner to take a stand and protect the people of Illinois, otherwise he’s culpable for the passage of the bill.”
How many votes does Bruce get?
Comment by City Zen Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:29 pm
===How many votes does Bruce get?===
Meh. John Kasich in Ohio played a big role in stopping the ACA repeal by being a clear Republican voice stating that it would be devastating to his state.
Rauner *could* matter. He’s just too big of a coward, and/or he simply doesn’t care. After all, his kids will get to inherit their whole fortunes tax free now!
Comment by PJ Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:40 pm
I’m thinking his heft and influence is near zero, here, there, everywhere. The NR front page doesn’t improve his odds either.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:40 pm
He doesn’t care gets my vote.
Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:57 pm
==”It’s time for Rauner to take a stand and protect the people of Illinois, otherwise he’s culpable for the passage of the bill.”==
They don’t want that and it’s perfidy to pretend that they want that. Reasonable people should be demanding a retraction of this statement that is both facially untrue and a pretzel twist of motives.
Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:59 pm
==he doesn’t care==
Don’t forget, the governor is part of the group of Koch-affiliated donors pushing for the serious cuts for corporations, businesses and the generally wealthy– or else, as they’ve threatened, they’ll cut off donations to the GOP.
That’s where his real loyalty lies.
Might this not cause both some cognitive dissonance and a need for dissembling, leading in turn to his meaningless, contradictory statements?
Of course he fully supports the bill. And doesn’t care.
Comment by Jane A. Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:20 pm