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Rate the new Coalition to Stop the Proposed Tax Hike Amendment ad

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* I told subscribers about this new ad earlier today…

The Coalition to Stop the Proposed Tax Hike Amendment launched a new ad today reminding voters nothing in the Tax Hike Amendment protects retirement income from being taxed.

In the ad, 85-year-old Phyllis Barklow speaks for retirees in Illinois when she says to vote No to the Springfield Politicians who are threatening to tax retirement income.

This threat was amplified in June by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs when he said, “One thing a progressive tax would do is make clear you can have graduated rates when you are taxing retirement income.”

As further evidence the Springfield Politicians cannot be trusted on the issue of taxing retirement income, Frerichs this week tried reversing his position, but no amount of flip-flopping can steer voters away from knowing that the Tax Hike Amendment gives Springfield Politicians a blank check to change tax rates and set as many tax brackets as they want—whenever they want, including taxing retirement income.

“Nothing in the Constitutional Amendment protects retirement income from being taxed,” said Lissa Druss, Coalition Spokesperson. “Springfield Politicians want us to trust them with our taxes when they can’t even keep their word on taxing retirement income. Retirees across the state know the Tax Hike Amendment is a direct threat to them. Retirees like Phyllis, who are living on a fixed income, will have to survive with even less if more power is granted to Springfield Politicians.”

It is important to note that of the states that have a graduated income tax, they also have a retirement tax.

* The spot…

* Script…

Springfield Politicians.

They promise they won’t tax retirement income if their constitutional amendment passes, but their measure lets them increase income taxes on every group of taxpayers including retirees.

Even our state treasurer said so publicly.

The truth is nothing in the constitutional amendment protects retirement income from being taxed.

So, we could trust the politicians to be fair to taxpayers or vote no.

…Adding… Quentin Fulks at Vote Yes for Fairness…

Opponents of the Fair Tax are tripling down on an attack that’s been repeatedly called out as flat out false. Their motivation is clear — they have no excuse for why a billionaire is paying the same tax rate as a nurse or why they’re fighting against a tax cut for 97% of Illinoisans, so they’re trying to force the conversation away from what the Fair Tax is really about. Voters won’t be fooled by their deceptive tactics and lies.

He’s not wrong about almost anything until his last sentence. Not convinced of that.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 10:48 am

Comments

Sitting on $48 million for weeks/months while the opposition causes confusion, misdirection, etc….is likely a losing strategy.

Momentum has been lost on the PRO side.

Comment by Go Big Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 10:52 am
If this thing goes down, the Treasurer has strongly set himself up as the perfect scapegoat.

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 10:54 am
It’s an “A-“

True or not, hyperbole or not…

It’s the Fair Tax vs. the Frerichs Tax

“You pass the fair tax, the Frerichs Tax is coming after your retirement income”

The Frerichs Tax has usurped any bad messaging the anti-tax folks have/d and now it’s about opening the discussion to taxing retirement income.

If people are against the Frerichs Tax, all they need is a lil nudge to believe the Fair Tax is the way to it.

Mike Frerichs is still tall

Mike Frerichs stands tall to the discussion of taxing retirement income.

This is Mike Frerichs becoming the needed distraction to sink the whole thing.

It’s not me saying it, it’s this ad.

Say no to the Frerichs Tax is the message here, no discussion on the Fair Tax.

It’s an “A-“

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 10:56 am
Above is me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 10:56 am
She has my vote.

Comment by Wow Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 10:59 am
Go big, you are so right. I felt all along that the pro side had the better argument for the masses–make the other guy pay, but they haven’t capitalized on it. This is a good ad, and definitely doesn’t help.

Comment by notsosure Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:00 am
=== Sitting on $48 million for weeks/months while …===

They didn’t count on the Frerichs Tax, taxing retirement income, as being inserted.

I was surprised they sat as long as they did as well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:01 am
Gotta disagree with OW on this one.
Ad is an A+. It did not change my mind on the Progressive Tax idea, but everything from the nice lady to the State Treasurer info to the music combined to make a strong case against trusting Madigan/Pritzker on taxes.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:03 am
B+ Well done BS. I’m getting pessimistic. Didn’t expect Pritzker to be out spent(seems that way as I listen each day).

Comment by Anotheretiree Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:05 am
It’s in response to Vote Yes already releasing an ad that the CA does not tax retirement income, so it’s chasing. It uses the same spokesperson who was previously debunked. Raising taxes on everyone is one of the lies continuing to be propagated (we can already do that). Who knows who is the Treasurer? The governor and GA passed the CA.

It could have been more effective if it used more and different retirees instead of the same debunked spokesperson.

C-

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:07 am
===Didn’t expect Pritzker to be out spent===

Neither did Bruce.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:07 am
If the Frerichs tax is impossible and a fools errand, JB and the proponents of the fair tax need to explain how they will raise the 4+ billion needed to close next year’s budget gap.

Other responsible blue states immediately imposed cost controls, Illinois passed another irresponsible, unbalanced budget requiring a federal bailout.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:07 am
The thing about the Frerichs Tax, taxing retirement income, is that the groundwork and the idea for weeks and weeks and weeks all we shoulda heard was “97% no raised taxes”

The open playing field in June, July, August…

It’s not as much about money now.

It *is* about saturation in 25 days, at a level funding level, that Griffin gave the opponents.

It will need to be the discussion now… the Fair Tax vs. the Frerichs Tax.

The time to saturate “97%” has passed.

Daylight wasted.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:11 am
I’ve seen that ad a couple of times every time I’ve watched Jeopardy! in the last couple of weeks. If she doesn’t want to pay taxes, she should move somewhere that doesn’t have them.

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:20 am
Give it an A.

The kernel of truth is that the Fair Tax Amendment will make it easier to single out retiree income and start to tax it. They could exempt the first $30,000 of social security or pension income. That would single out a sliver of people.

The people who want to cut state pensions should support the Fair Tax Amendment. If you can’t cut them, tax them.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:20 am
A+ All lies but skillful. People that don’t follow politics will believe it.
Remember, these are voters that believe phone calls that say “Your social security number has been cancelled” “The IRS has a warrant for your arrest” and a new scam “A warrant has been issued for your arrest in Texas”. I wonder if I get that last one because my last name has a Spanish spelling?

Comment by Streamwood Retiree Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:25 am
unfortunately it is an A. someone do a profile of who she is, please.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:26 am
===she should move somewhere that doesn’t have them===

She already does. Illinois doesn’t tax retirement income.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:27 am
When you are chasing someone else’s message you are losing. The PRO side is trying to answer the senior hit. They have a commercial out there copying the NO side with “Regular” business people. Less than a month away you just can’t spend your way to victory. Those above said it best, the PRO side did not burn their message early enough.

Comment by Nagidam Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:28 am
“F” on facts

“Meh” on using an elderly woman sob story.

“B” on the add but I am not sure it moves any votes.

Question- Is this the little old lady that Bruce Rauner referred to all of the time?

If so: Bruce, she is a paid actor.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:28 am
I’m bothered by Vote Yes not attacking Griffin yet, who gave millions to Rauner and wrought massive damage to social services, schools, vendors and the rest. We need to start seeing the goals of the Vote No people, which is to let Illinois go to junk status and shred the public sector.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:30 am
The lack of public trust JB inherited from predecessors isn’t his fault, but it is his battle. He didn’t count on Griffin digging so deep, and he seems to be chasing now. He had a lot of other things on his mind, but someone on the team should have been on top of this.

Comment by SSL Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:30 am
Oswego is right on target … too many months of opportunities not taken by the pro-progressive tax crowd … to build their narrative statewide strong enough to withstand any of these last-minute attacks …

Comment by west wing Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:33 am
With great respect;

=== We need to start seeing the goals of the Vote No people, which is to let Illinois go to junk status and shred the public sector.===

It’s always and already about the millionaires and billionaires, that’s baked in.

It’s now about the Frerichs Tax, taxing retirement income, even as … as horribly false and untrue that is.

If people believe it’s more about the Frerichs Tax than the Fair Tax… should I say fooled…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:34 am
===I’m bothered by Vote Yes not attacking Griffin yet===

LOL

The guy just spent $100 million on a painting. But, yeah, go ahead and poke that bear.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:47 am
===she is a paid actor===

Don’t know if she’s paid or not, but she’s no actor.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:48 am
The damage is the Frerichs Tax message, not Griffin, (especially at this late time) or attacking Griffin specifically.

Attack Griffin, so many negatives to count there, but the real problem is the Fair Tax message for passage versus the Frerichs Tax fear if it does pass.

People worry about how much they pay far more than worrying who exactly needs to be paying *more*

“Tax thee, not me”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:52 am
==they have no excuse for why a billionaire is paying the same tax rate as a nurse==

Unless that nurse doesn’t take a personal exemption or property tax credit, he/she is definitely not paying the same tax rate as someone earning over $250,000, let alone a billionaire.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:53 am
=== Unless that nurse…===

… doesn’t check the Fair Tax calculator…

- City Zen -, it’s *still*.., still only the 3% seeing a tax increase.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:56 am
==she is a paid actor==

Just don’t steal her marble rye.

Cross-reference the Fair Tax talking heads with the US Dept of Labor website and many come up as either union employees or delegates.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:57 am
I was at the point last week where I thought the saturation of the airwaves and interweb on this ballot issue had maxed out most people’s attention spans and tolerance and that all further messaging from either side was wasted money. However the snafu with the Treasurer which has gotten greater attention than I might have expected and this ad may alter the territory. I don’t have any idea how this is all going to shake out but I do sense the terrain has shifted a bit in recent days.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 11:58 am
Boneheaded move by Frerichs that might doom the amendment. I hope he, and useful idiot Phyllis, look back on November 4th with regret.

At least Mike has to wait a couple years before getting his senior property tax exemption, leaving the rest of us to make up the difference.

Comment by Jocko Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:03 pm
Is Mrs. Barklow going to move back to Arizona, where they already tax retirement?

Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:21 pm
Momentum has definitely shifted. Ad is very good.

This was going to be difficult to pass as it was. Sufficient fears everyone’s taxes will go up and now w retirement income. More people like her will appear in blanket ads.

Vote YES needs to get it together soon

(Just adding: Ive been hearing Yednock like crazy on Chicago sports talk radio. Its crazy)

Comment by low level Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:30 pm
Speaking of falsehoods - the constant refrain this is on millionaires and billionaires. Tax increase (for now) starts at $250K.

Comment by midway gardens Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:34 pm
=== Speaking of falsehoods - the constant refrain this is on millionaires and billionaires.===

They’re the ones funding the anti-fair tax ads.

So there’s that…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:36 pm
With respect, not scared of Griffin and his millions. He and Rauner spent over $100 million and the end result was more Democratic power and a Democratic governor. Griffin has a record with Rauner, and it’s horrible. It seems like malfeasance to not use it.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:37 pm
=== With respect, not scared of Griffin and his millions.===

Not today. Thing is about campaigns and elections and the mood, all three can change.

=== Griffin has a record with Rauner, and it’s horrible. It seems like malfeasance to not use it.===

Is the goal to pass the Fair Tax or make Griffin pay?

As always - GOM -, with respect.

Be well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:41 pm
“Is the goal to pass the Fair Tax or make Griffin pay?”

With respect always, it looks like the same thing. They are tied together, since the biggest Fair Tax opponent is the richest state resident. Be well also.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:52 pm
“make Griffin pay”

… a political price, hurt his ego.

That’s where I was going. Sorry for the confusion, lol, yes, if it passes, Griffin and others will literally pay. My take was to him on a personal, political “pay”

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 12:57 pm
==Boneheaded move by Frerichs that might doom the amendment. ==

Since earlier in the week I’ve been convinced that if the amendment doesn’t pass, then if Frerichs runs again for TReasurer he will be challenged by an Administration-backed candidate in the March 2022 primary.

Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 1:02 pm
===he will be challenged by an Administration-backed candidate in the March 2022 primary===

Maybe either way. Downstate Black woman, perhaps.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 1:03 pm
=== Frerichs runs again… he will be challenged… ===

That’s the real score here.

Mike Frerichs stands tall for the Frerichs Tax, taxing retirement income.

It’s open for discussion.

It’ll haunt… no matter the race, or the election (primary or general)

It’s who he is. It’s open for discussion .

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 1:05 pm
It’s an effective spot. And according to the media tracking I’ve seen the Griffin-funded group is outspending the Pritzker-funded group this week on tv/cable/radio so they have the resources to put behind it.

Comment by The Captain Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 1:08 pm
Did a little poking. Pretty sure Mrs. Barklow’s the daughter of former Will County GOP supervisor.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10902030/herman-olivo-article1970/

She might be the last of the “Thinking Republicans”, but she’s having an impact.

Comment by WH Mess Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 1:23 pm
== They’re the ones funding the anti-fair tax ads.
Sure and a billionaire is funding the pro-tax ads. But that’s not the point. The refrain is to make the ‘millionaires and billionaires’ pay…but the tax increase starts at a far lower level.

Comment by midway gardens Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 2:17 pm
=== Sure and a billionaire is funding the pro-tax ads. But that’s not the point.===

The point is voters don’t do nuance and with 3% only seeing an increase and obvious billionaires and millionaires opposed… that’s how these things fly.

Like the Frerichs Tax, taxing retirement income.

If the discussion is a worry about the Frerichs Tax and not about the Fiat Tax, that’s not great for proponents

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 2:20 pm