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* UPDATED x3 * Ken Griffin drops $26+ million against “Fair Tax”

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[Bumped up from Friday to Monday for visibility and comments opened for discussion.]

* Click here for the A-1. He contributed $20 million a month ago.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Ken Griffin…

Every citizen has a right to the truth about what Governor Pritzker and Mike Madigan’s tax increase will mean for our state: the continued exodus of families and businesses, loss of jobs and inevitably higher taxes on everyone. Well informed voters are increasingly speaking out against this tax hike, and I am committed to ensuring each of us has the facts to make a thoughtful decision about this catastrophic constitutional amendment.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Vote Yes For Fairness Chairman Quentin Fulks…

With less than 5 weeks to go until Election Day, Ken Griffin is growing increasingly desperate to ensure he can keep the special deal he gets under our current tax system that allows him to pay the same tax rate as our essential workers. Mr. Griffin and his fellow opponents have already made clear they want to raise taxes on working families and retirees rather than pay their fair share.

Mr. Griffin’s now spent more than he would have paid additionally last year under the Fair Tax in an attempt to defeat it. This may be nothing more than a calculation to him, but the future of our state is at stake. We remain committed to passing the Fair Tax in this election and giving a tax cut to 97% of Illinoisans.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Coalition To Stop The Proposed Tax Hike Amendment spokesperson Lissa Druss…

It is clear people are responding to the message that giving Springfield Politicians more power to raise taxes in the midst of a health and economic crisis is the wrong direction for our state.

With each passing day, the people of Illinois realize that the actual tax rates are not what they are voting on, but rather they are being asked to trust Springfield Politicians with a blank check.

The Coalition’s support continues to grow from small businesses, family farmers, and middle-class families who all believe now is the worst possible time to raise taxes.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:45 am

Comments

so much for a tax cut for 97%.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/other-hikes-likely-even-if-fair-tax-passes-moodys

Comment by 1st Ward Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:13 am
=== so much for a tax cut for 97%.===

Narrator: it’s *still* a 97% hold or cut on income taxes

Good try.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:15 am
OW — you are incorrect.

The messaging on TV has changed. VOte Yes now claims a TAX CUT for 97% of Illinoisians.

They no longer claim 97% will see a cut or no increase

Comment by Altgelds Ghost Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:25 am
Every citizen has a right to the truth about what Governor Pritzker and Mike Madigan’s tax increase will mean for…Ken Griffin.

Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:30 am
- Altgelds Ghost -

LOL

What, your argument is…

“They’re telling bigger lies than our really big lies?”

That’s Facebook silly.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 10:35 am
The fair taxer group changed their messaging from 97% will pay the same amount of taxes or see a tax decrease to 97% will see a tax decrease.

They then ran the old ads with the old message alongside the new ones for nearly two weeks.

Seems to be the same pattern on TV and Radio so far.

Most folks asking me or bringing up the issue to me are convinced that post election, they will be paying higher income taxes whether the measure passes or fails.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:05 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

LOL, I’m sure you’re equally troubled by he phony retirement tax phony that isn’t being taxed at all.

Pound that table, counselor

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:09 am
Vote no, go Ken go.

Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:38 am
=== Vote no, go Ken go.===

Ken Griffin is laughing *at* you.

He’s thanking you for saving the millionaires and billionaires.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 11:42 am
“He’s thanking you for saving the millionaires and billionaires”

Yet the taxes start on joint income of 250K not “millionaires and billionaires” with Moody’s reporting additional tax hikes will come regardless of passage.

On whom? the rich again? I doubt it. Regardless of a dollar coming from my paycheck or a dollar coming from sales taxes a dollar is a dollar. Taxes are going up on everyone and they are going up at all levels of government during the worst recession since the great depression. I don’t care who its going to I know that i’m paying it.

Comment by 1st Ward Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:02 pm
In our area chatter is way on the vote no side probably 3 to 1 in favor, and to let the Governor and him Supermajorities raise taxes on everyone and accept the responsibility. The legislature can also up the credits on the 97% if they are inclined.

The Governor is not popular here and it is reflected in the propensity to vote against the tax increase. His toliet issue in an attempt to lower his property taxes, and the lack of any discussion around Property tax relief that was part of the original sales pitch is a real issue.

Comment by SIU Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:04 pm
=== Yet the taxes start on joint income of 250K not “millionaires and billionaires”===

You can thank the political acumen of Todd Maisch for that, I’m just using what Maisch says.

===On whom? the rich again? I doubt it.===

Keep up, please, it’s still the top 3%. You don’t think the top 3% are wealthy?

“Ok”

Is that too difficult to grasp?

See, trying to make it about “who”, it still never wavers from the “what”, and what it is… is 97% won’t see a tax increase.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:06 pm
=== chatter===

Anecdotal is *not* data

=== The Governor is not popular here===

Statewide, last polling had him above water, last polling on the tax had it within the window of passage.

=== His toilet issue===

… and yet he defeated Bruce Rauner by 16 points with it as a campaign issue.

Anything else?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:09 pm
This was going down before Griffin’s additional $26 million.

Now it is a dumpster fire.

Confusion = “No” on these types of ballot initiatives. Confusion is high and the Legislature has zero in terms of a trust dividend with the voters.

Comment by Upon Further Review Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:32 pm
===This was going down before…===

Cite please.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:34 pm
It is similar to a University stating they are freezing tuition.

And please don’t pay attention to the increase in fees, the additional fees that weren’t there before and the 10-20% increase in housing costs.

Comment by Petey L. Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:34 pm
==This was going down before Griffin’s additional $26 million.==

Fair Tax has always polled well. It’s certainly not going down in a dumpster fire.

The main question is whether or not it’ll need 50% or 60% of the vote or somewhere in between. We probably won’t know where it stands until weeks after election day.

Comment by City Zen Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:37 pm
=== they are freezing tuition.===

… and yet, the tuition *is* frozen.

It’s truly comical… y’all agree what is be promoted would happen if passed… “but… “

Can’t accept a win?

“No, 97% getting no income tax increase is bad”

The illogically logical?

Nope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:38 pm
So we are to believe that if they open this up, it’s enough for all the debt for the billionaires and millionaires to pay “their” share? Both parties won’t ever raise on the middle class with this Trojan horse. Snark. Now open the constitution for pensions. Since, it won’t be changed.

Comment by Fighter of Foo Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:38 pm
=== The main question is whether or not it’ll need 50% or 60% of the vote or somewhere in between. We probably won’t know where it stands until weeks after election day.===

This is spot on perfect to this situation.

So is this;

=== Fair Tax has always polled well. It’s certainly not going down in a dumpster fire.===

=== Now open the constitution for pensions.===

Sure it’s afternoon, but it’s still to early to imbibe at this level.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 12:40 pm
Couple posters have mentioned the Fair Tax polling well. I’m not seeing any polls since basically pre-COVID. Anyone have a link?

Comment by natty lite Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:22 pm
== Now open the constitution for pensions. ==

Waste of time.

Current law clearly states pensions are a contract; there is zero ambiguity in that statement. You can’t change that retroactively. Regardless of the State Constitution (and the IL SC has been clear on their reading of the Pension Clause), Federal Contract Law protects all existing Illinois government pensions.

The pensions were reformed when Tier 2 was created in 2011.

The problem is the pension debt from Tier 1, and legally all you can do it pay it … or convince (did anybody else notice con is part of the word convince?) existing Tier 1 employees / retirees to give up part of their pension through some kind of buyout deal.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:23 pm
Have to wonder why the Fair Taxers haven’t shared any recent rosy polling.

Comment by SIU Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:28 pm
=== Have to wonder why the Fair Taxers haven’t shared any recent rosy polling.===

“Have to wonder why the Fair Tax opponents haven’t shared any gloom and doom polling.”

Glad we got that out of the way…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:31 pm
To this, specifically;

===… have mentioned the Fair Tax polling well. I’m not seeing any polls since basically pre-COVID. Anyone have a link?===

My hunch?

The formula(s) for passage are relying on a coupe of variables and within those various variables, even a “beauty contest” snapshot isn’t honest to what’s needed for passage.

The opponents need to sow negativity. If their numbers jived, we’d see those.

Proponents need “an inside straight“ to get this to pass… predicated on how much they bet and how much the people watching this “Texas Hold ‘Em” like the outcome of the hand for them and their families.

That’s how crazy this is to passage.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 1:36 pm
OW: The private polling around the fair tax would suggest it is on life support. You can wait till November 4th to respond to this post. I will now go back to my life.

Comment by me Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:08 pm
- me -

So, I had this at 2 in 5 passing in May… I’ve moved it to 1 in 3 passing now.

Life support? Life support would be below 50%, dunno about that, but throwing a 53% and still not passing isn’t at all great.

If passing constitutional amendments were easy, there would be dozens.

Be safe, I hope you’re well in “your life“.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:14 pm
Vote no. Cannot trust those in charge to spend the proceeds appropriately (pay down past debt). Cannot trust those in charge not to come after the middle class next if this passes (not enough monies to solve their problems that they have created). Cannot trust those in charge to propose any solutions to the other side of the ledger (reduce expenses and pensions and retiree health care). Our entire household and anyone I speak with will vote no. Spread the word.

Comment by Really Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:04 pm
=== Cannot trust those in charge to spend the proceeds appropriately (pay down past debt)===

… and yet millionaire Bruce Rauner, with his newly raised taxes… spent every dime. He’s in Florida now.

=== Cannot trust those in charge not to come after the middle class next if this passes (not enough monies to solve their problems that they have created).===

They can do that already, you already know that and acknowledged it.

=== Cannot trust those in charge to propose any solutions to the other side of the ledger (reduce expenses and pensions and retiree health care).===

You’ve (and the anti Fair Tax folks) have yet to produce any acceptable cuts. It’s a phony argument that allows folks to seem smart, are aren’t smart to budgets or governing.m

=== Our entire household and anyone I speak with will vote no.===

Are you *telling* them how to vote, or is this group think like Trunpkin group think?

=== Spread the word.===

“Save the millionaires and billionaires”, that word?

Ken Griffin, after laughing at you, thanks you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:12 pm
=== Our entire household===

If your income tax get raised, (when it should stay the same or be a bit lower if passed) I’m sure your household will see that as owning the libs as you write a bigger check.

“We voted down that our taxes stay the same or lowered so I can pay *more* in income tax because defeating me getting lower or same income taxes REALLY showed Springfield who’s boss”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:16 pm
An ad spend that itself highlights why a progressive tax should exist.

Comment by In 630 Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:34 pm
Here’s the real silly to this;

You’re voting no because “all they are gonna do is raise taxes” and even if you’re not effected, you’re voting to stop the raising of taxes, maybe.

If I believe you, and then it fails, they *will* according to your logic to vote no… will raise taxes on you.

You’re voting no… to raise your own taxes… because voting for a freeze or a tax reduction for 97% isn’t owning the libs.

It’s like The Onion has infected the thinking to create tasty mis-knowledge.

Voting because they might raise my taxes so they raise my taxes because I won’t take a win.

I’d laugh too if I was Ken Griffin

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Oswego Silly. Great new nickname. Even if they do raise them on everyone, hopefully enough folks will get upset and kick some of those folks out of office next time around.

Comment by Really Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:06 pm
=== Great new nickname.===

That’s the best you can do? You’re no Donald Trump, lol

=== Even if they do raise them on everyone, hopefully enough folks will get upset and kick some of those folks out of office next time around.===

After Rauner did a whole movie on Madigan, Madigan then won more seats than he ever won as Speaker.

Oh.

That was … after… they raised taxes.

“You’re welcome”

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:08 pm
== enough folks will get upset and kick some of those folks out of office next time around. ==

Unlikely. It’s a sad fact that while voters get upset with politicians, they also turn around and usually keep voting for their current officials.

About the only thing guaranteed to get current officials voted out of office is touching the third rail, i.e., messing around with retirement.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:11 pm
Ken Griffin–lobbyist for those consumed by insatiable greed. Despite all his charitable contributions, greed will be his legacy.

Comment by James Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:41 pm
Thinking O Silly actually fits like a glove

Comment by SIU Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:51 pm
- SIU -

I’d stick with not adding to the conversation than choosing nicknames for anyone.

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:54 pm
Anybody see the NYT story that DJT paid no taxes for a decade or more or paid only $750? I wonder what real tax rate Griffin pays? Or Uline? Save the millionaires./s

Comment by Cailleach Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 6:21 pm
Hmmm. Oswego Willy is freaked out that I am pounding the table about retirement income being taxed? He should go back and reread my comment that he ridicules. There is no mention by me of potentially taxing retirement income. Willy? Being snotty over nothing at all? Or perhaps he has some inside knowledge of retirement income taxation that he wishes to share?

Problem with reading comprehension Willy? Again? Must be tough being a broken record. Keep pounding that table bub.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:34 pm
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -

You are always one to point out the stick in the others’ eyes, but fail to see the plank in your own.

Prolly why you don’t understand why I wondered aloud your analysis seems to be missing the other phony found.

Hope you’re well, stay safe, wear a mask, no snark.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:39 pm
I prefer Oswego Willy Nilly, but adding Silly before Willy Nilly would be Dilly.

Comment by Captain Obvious Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:46 pm
- Captain Obvious -

All that might be overkilly, but I digress

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 7:52 pm
Stop and think why a man would put over 50 million of his own money into this. You do not invest that kind of money without a guaranteed return. If this passes, I guarantee you the rates in the lower part will rise in the next 2-3-years.

Comment by Carl Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:41 am
===If this passes, I guarantee you===

lol

Sorry, but I don’t accept guarantees from anonymous, first-time blog commenters.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:42 am