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* Last night, Richard Irvin said he would get rid of the sales tax on gasoline…
* Transcript…
Mary Ann Ahern: Should we get rid of the gas tax altogether? But then how do you fund road improvements? Mr. Irvin?
Richard Irvin: Well, there’s two portions of the gas tax: One that goes straight to road improvements and the other portion that goes to our General Fund. We can get rid of the portion that goes to our General Fund and still allow the road improvements and infrastructure to continue.
Mary Ann Ahern: Get rid of it all together.
Richard Irvin: Absolutely. Give some relief to our residents here in the state of Illinois.
OK, the problem with this idea is that the state sales tax revenues on fuel are being transitioned over time to the Road Fund. In the coming fiscal year, that amounts to about $230 million, according to the governor’s office. That number gets higher every year until all of the state revenues from the sales tax on fuel are sent to the Road Fund. So, if you “get rid” of the non-road portion of sales tax revenues, you’d have to increase the sales tax on fuel every year to make sure the Road Fund got all the money coming to it. Also, a portion will still go to local governments even with this planned revenue switch, so what do you do about them?
* I reached out to Operating Engineers Local 150, which has endorsed Irvin in the primary and has been a stalwart defender of Road Fund revenues…
In his response, Mayor Irvin was quick to defend the importance of Illinois’ motor fuel tax and its critical role in maintaining Illinois’ infrastructure.
Local 150 opposes reducing or eliminating the sales tax on gasoline. Part of the most recent capital improvement plan was the gradual shift of sales tax revenue from the General Revenue Fund to the Road Fund, so reducing or eliminating the sales tax would negatively affect the overall safety of Illinois’ infrastructure.
We will work with Mayor Irvin to ensure that he and his team are familiar with the nuances of Illinois’ infrastructure funding sources and the importance of protecting these investments.
* The Irvin campaign explained today that what the candidate actually meant to say was that he supported a bill sponsored earlier this year by his running mate…
State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) introduced House Bill 5723, which looks to cap the sales tax on gas at 18 cents per gallon for motor fuel, with 80 percent of that amount for gasohol and biodiesel blends.
Local governments might not like that idea, unless they’re made whole. And that’ll cost money.
And, it likely has the effect of cutting money that is supposed to go to the Road Fund.
*** UPDATE *** From Local 150…
We oppose that legislation and the concept of capping revenue streams set aside for infrastructure improvement. While most inflationary discussions focus on the consumer price index, construction costs are more closely tied to the producer price index, which is rising at more than twice the rate of the CPI. The state’s goal has been to make long-term sustainable investments in the safety of our infrastructure, and the spirit of the last capital spending plan was enabling revenues to keep up with rising costs, which is why the motor fuel tax is now indexed to inflation. Many parties worked tirelessly earlier this spring to find a revenue-neutral way to postpone that inflationary increase in order to provide temporary relief to taxpayers, yet lawmakers determined that keeping revenue in line with costs is a priority, so that inflationary increase will go into effect after the temporary revenue-neutral plan expires. Simply capping revenues without a plan to offset the losses to the Road Fund is not a responsible approach.
So, the walk-back and clarification just led to more problems with Local 150. Notice, however, there’s no mention of Irvin in that statement.
* Related…
* VIDEO: Rep. Batinick Solutions for High Gas Prices
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 10:49 am
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This illustrates the problem Republicans face with their “all taxes are bad and need to be cut” mantra. While that message is popular, most people also expect a certain level of government services; the two messages contradict.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 10:58 am
Seems like Mr. Irvin needs to brush up on his policy. Does he ever have one performance where he doesn’t make a gaffe that needs to be cleaned up? Just because you can repeat the same four lines over and over doesn’t mean you’re a good debater. He’s still not ready for primetime.
Comment by Hmmm Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 10:58 am
“We will work with Mayor Irvin to ensure that he and his team are familiar with the nuances of Illinois’ infrastructure funding sources and the importance of protecting these investments.”
Is a figurative dope slap in the works?
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 10:59 am
===The Irvin campaign explained today that what the candidate actually meant to say was that he supported a bill sponsored earlier this year by his running mate…===
Translation: “this is what we wish he would have said.”
Maybe this is the language they used in debate prep, but then Team Irvin must now realize he still isn’t ready for prime time.
“He meant to say,” coming from staff, is pathetic.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:00 am
“As Mario Cuomo famously noted, politicians campaign in poetry, but they govern in prose.”
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:01 am
Irvin: Oops, my Griffin indoctrination failed me on this topic.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:02 am
=what the candidate actually meant to say…=
Nope, he meant to say what he said. If the campaign coms folks were being honest they would have said that Irvin did not understand how the process works and would never intentionally upset 150.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:10 am
=what the candidate actually meant to say…=
This seems to be a daily occurrence for the Irvin campaign depending on which way the wind is blowing. Taxes bad, no taxes good, sometimes.
Comment by Baloneymous Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:13 am
I gotta ask, does the campaign’s statement actually have any clarifying effects? Irvin said something clearly, now someone who isn’t Irvin is saying Irvin doesn’t believe what he said. I feel like I know less about what Irvin believes than I did before his campaign put the statement out.
Comment by vern Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:19 am
I pretty much interpret any or Irvin’s responses as, “I’ll have to ask Ken.” But on the topic of fuel taxes, I’m thinking Ken doesn’t really care as long as it doesn’t threaten the record profits being realized by his oil and gas company holdings.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:20 am
Richard Irvin would slash the Road Fund and 150 is ok with that??? This is a bread and butter issue for them. Looks like they endorsed someone who had no clue how roads are funded.
Are they going to withdraw their endorsement, demand Irvin disavow HB 5723, or is this their signal that the Road Fund is no longer sacrosanct?
Comment by Immigrants Welcome Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:22 am
That bill is nothing like what he described on stage.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:25 am
So this is an admission by all parties that Illinosians are double taxed on gas and that is just fine and dandy and you better not go looking for any tax relief. What a surprise in the state with the highest combined tax burden.
Comment by Free Market Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:27 am
Team Irvin “clarified” his position by saying he would cap the sales tax on gas, totally undermining the Road Fund. How long will it take 150 to educate him on that “nuance,” and does Irvin believe he needs to be educated on this issue?
Comment by Clear as… Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:28 am
If the time between Irvin’s flip and flop keeps narrowing at the current rate, he will soon be changing his positions in mid-sentence.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:28 am
Just as 150 endorsed Rauner these are those without college education represented in polls.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:29 am
===Just as 150 endorsed Rauner===
They did?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:31 am
Someone might want to mention that reducing taxes/prices at the pump just means more for oil companies and gas station operators. RichieRich might want to brush up on that reality. Other than that we think we only heard “let me finish” once.
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:32 am
It must be a sight to see how Irvin sleeps at night knowing he is just an empty vessel for sell.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:32 am
wow is Irvin bad at spontaneous talk. his closing was clearly better….scripted. in a three person debate with two unknowns to the general public, he was not close to stellar. lucky he has all the Griffin dough.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:33 am
= he will soon be changing his positions in mid-sentence.=
Oh man, that is really good right there. LOL
Maybe he can get the Waffle House to be a campaign donor/sponsor? They have one in southern Illinois.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:35 am
i guess this explains why he never gets specific about anything.
Comment by former cubs fan Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:35 am
At OW. That was an error. Wrong union.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:35 am
==Are they going to withdraw their endorsement==
There’s no need. In the summer they’ll endorse Prtizker over Irvin.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:44 am
Richard Irvin campaign clarifies candidates remarks about taking money from the road fund by saying he meant to say he would propose taking money from the road fund. Nice work 150.
Comment by Opening Date Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 11:54 am
First, - MisterJayEm -, hilarious.
To the post,
Candidate Irvin, Mayor Irvin, Richard Irvin, Esq., plain Richard Irvin…
… it’s not that these flip flop “clarifications” are happening, it’s that they feed into this idea that Richard Irvin isbt his own person, and like that, Irvin talking points also include Richard Irvin being his own man.
In so many ways, what exactly am I going to get with Candidate Irvin when all theses other Irvin-types exist.
It’s not misspeak as much as finding a groove where all these Irvin-types can exist for the one… Richard Irvin.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:04 pm
==he will soon be changing his positions in mid-sentence==
Max Headroom had fewer glitches, stammers, and re-phrasings.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:06 pm
Max Solomon answered directly (like the answers or not). Irvin’s default “I’m a lawyer” so I can’t answer that. Schimpf danced a little but did better than Irvin.
Comment by Justintime Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:18 pm
Voters are only seeing the Irvin ads… they’re not following the debate or seeing any of the gaffe’s. Griffin knows it and will keep filling our TV screens with messages that Irvin in reality doesn’t live up to. Must be fun for a billionaire to put one over on us (just like the destroy the Fair Tax effort).
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:21 pm
==cap the sales tax on gas at 18 cents per gallon for motor fuel==
This is actually a good idea. It looks like it only applies at the state level, so locals could continue to charge sales tax.
New York already does something similar and California charges a reduced sales tax rate for gasoline. Illinois is an outlier in charging sales tax on top of a motor fuel tax. Consumption-based is more predictable and not subject to price fluctuations.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:23 pm
== “As Mario Cuomo famously noted, politicians campaign in poetry, but they govern in prose.” ==
poetry is not a word I would use to describe Irvin’s campaigning
Comment by MyTake Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:25 pm
===poetry is not a word I would use===
I dunno. Saying “let me finish” a kabillion times in the space of a few minutes has some poetic rings to it.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:27 pm
==Voters are only seeing the Irvin ads==
And the anti-Irvin ads being run by…several people at this point.
The other thing is that primary voters do actually pay a little more attention, almost by definition. And while I doubt very many of them watched the debates, either, they are hearing things- god knows what-from the party-aligned networks they hook into.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:30 pm
To the update:
You really gotta question this team’s political instincts.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:37 pm
150 shoulda ran Dillard again. At least he stayed on message.
Comment by Squints Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:37 pm
To the update,
A major problem with Candidate Irvin is that other Irvin thoughts that maybe made Mayor Irvin a good mayor ruin all slam dunk answers… because having beliefs and thoughts are a virtue except for empty vessel candidacies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:42 pm
Was reading some history on local 150.. seeing they opposed Rauner for McCann but they are endorsing a Rauner/Griffin puppet as if his policies are different from Rauner.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:51 pm
===as if his policies are different from Rauner.===
So far, they seemingly are.
How do I know?
Irvin hasn’t gone after collective bargaining or prevailing wage, as Rauner wanted to, going after all organized labor.
I can’t imagine 150 saying “we support a candidate openly against our rights to prevailing wage and the right to collectively bargain”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:56 pm
==seeing they opposed Rauner for McCann but they are endorsing a Rauner/Griffin puppet as if his policies are different from Rauner==
General Election endorsement vs. primary endorsement.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 12:59 pm
Irvin is now under Griffin strings as gov candidate. So looking at his past Mayororial policy is not where to look as you already mentioned the many Irvins that exist.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 1:01 pm
General Election endorsement vs. primary endorsement.
Nice. So I get to endorse candidates that are pro gas sales tax cuts in primary and then switch to endorsing a candidate against gas sales tax cuts in the general.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 1:04 pm
==So I get to endorse candidates that are pro gas sales tax cuts in primary and then switch to endorsing a candidate against gas sales tax cuts in the general. ==
Yes. They’re different things. It’s OK to treat them differently.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 1:08 pm
===So looking at his past Mayororial policy is not where to look as you already mentioned the many Irvins that exist.===
That’s a question to Local 150, not me.
I’d have to think 150 wanted some… assurances… including the issue at hand and Irvin’s walk back.
Otherwise, why would there be any reason to first clarify and then have 150 feel the need to respond.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 1:19 pm
Irvin has lack of knowledge and conviction on polices unless Mike Z feeds him what to say.
Comment by David Thompson Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:56 pm