Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Take care of each other, please
Next Post: Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Posted in:
* Last week the governor was asked about tax increases…
It’s very important that we live within our means in this state, and that we not resort to tax increases as a way to, you know, to balance the budget, right? And so that’s what the communication we’ve had with our agencies and looking at all the priorities that we need to take care of.
* Rich followed up at a press conference this afternoon by pointing out the highlighted quote above about not raising taxes and asked the governor if that would also apply to the mass transit fiscal cliff…
What I said last week was that we should be living within our means and doing everything we can to do that. I’ve also said in previous press conferences, and still believe that taxes should not be the first but rather the last thing that we look at.
And so when we look at when we look at the question of mass transit, we’ve got to consider everything that contributes to that, state government, county government, city government, as well as the fare box and all those things together are going to help solve the problem.
posted by Isabel Miller
Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:52 pm
Previous Post: Take care of each other, please
Next Post: Isabel’s afternoon roundup
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
JB should have remembered George H W Bush’s “Read my lips: no new taxes” fiasco
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:58 pm
Walking it back and hedging.
If he requested ideas for budget cuts the past week, he must not have heard very encouraging answers. He’s looking at likely getting less Federal dollars this year. And staring at a fair size budget hole.
So I can see why he would want to crack the new revenue door open. But I don’t see a relatively painless way to get it.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:01 pm
Speaking of transit fiscal cliffs…have any of the agencies submitted/shared publicly their plans if they don’t get new funding and are left with the status quo?
Comment by ChicagoBars Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:04 pm
Good. I was one who opposed taking tax increases of the table. It make little sense to say either (a) raise taxes, or (b) cut spending. That philosophical dialectic is nonsensical in the complex world of managing society/state/community. It is premised on the false assumption that no matter what happens, that which happens will not be serious enough to change the way we think about things. Life is complicated.
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:04 pm
we need to take care of what we need to take care of. and that may need more money in some way. but it is important to make clear to the public what their money buys. I think the public has a general lack of understanding about governments and what taxes “buy.” the more we explain government to them the more everyone understands, including those who run government. upon need to explain managers may have second thoughts about what they say needs funding. I’m not beyond the thought that reform can help our fiscal condition.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:09 pm
Probably read the comments on yesterday’s QotD.
– MrJM
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/03/question-of-the-day-3717/
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:15 pm
I guess the Governor is second guessing the 500 million he spent on free health care for his newcomers before the costs exceeded his estimates by 10 fold
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:16 pm
Proving we can govern means everything should be on the table including revenues. There are no absolutes in consensus building.
Comment by Carbo Load Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:17 pm
=Probably read the comments on yesterday+
well, then he would have to ignore the poll’s results as 73% agreed “Do you agree or disagree with the governor’s pledge not to raise taxes to balance the budget?”
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:22 pm
@misterjayem
Thank you, beat me to the punch.
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:27 pm
The fare box thing is frustrating because fare evasion is so common that paying to ride cta is functionally optional.
Comment by DS Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:36 pm
A good answer. Maybe try raising the income tax rate and giving lower incomes exemptions or deductions, before cutting the poor again.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:50 pm
JB might have to convince the state legislature to raise the income tax rate to bring in more revenue. The flat state income tax means everyone will have to pay more. Can’t reform pensions. Can’t cut education.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 2:56 pm
Recognizing that the state income tax may need to be increased is the responsible thing to do. We are likely going to see a federal corporate tax cut which will mean less money flowing to the states. You’ve got to make that up somewhere.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:09 pm
Props to the governor to addressing his prior statement in a prompt and timely fashion and essentially correcting the record.
===The flat state income tax means everyone will have to pay more. ===
Even with a flat tax the state can offset the impact of increased income taxes on the working poor, working class, et al, by increasing the exemption.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:25 pm
== giving lower incomes exemptions or deductions, ==
Easiest way to do that is just raise the rate, then give a larger standard deduction. You go playing too much with targeted deductions and you risk someone suing over the flat tax provision. 4
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:27 pm
@ Sue
=== I guess the Governor is second guessing ===
I seriously doubt that. Governor Pritzker is far from the sort of person who would question providing access to healthcare to those in need. It comes under the first of these: “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness (economic liberty).”
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:34 pm
They do need to come up with a better argument than “raising taxes to balance the budget,” for sure.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:34 pm
“he would have to ignore the poll’s results”
Did I say “poll results”?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:38 pm
Guess our neighboring states are doing something wrong as they are talking about lowering taxes- as for HW- nice to give our newcomers free healthcare while sticking it to our own lower income state CITIZENS
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 4:01 pm
As I stated yesterday, you should never take anything off of the table. While he is walking back a little he’s still made it clear it’s the last resort. I wouldn’t anticipate a general tax increase.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 4:28 pm
That’s a resort he’ll surely be checking into
Comment by DougChicago Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 4:29 pm
Expenditures will be greater than income. So JB had better figure out relatively quickly where he is going to cut or specifically, very specifically, where he is going to raise taxes. This all comes on top of some very high property taxes that in many areas will increase significantly both this year and next.
Comment by Mason County Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 4:54 pm
Sue -
Is Missouri going to eliminate the personal property tax on vehicles? They have amongst the highest.
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article286402800.html
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 5:03 pm
Food for thought: The last time the CTA did a fare increase was 2018 when train fares were raised to $2.50. Adjusting for inflation that would now be over $3.00.
Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 8:33 pm
Too lete- already said, “I won’t raise taxes”
Comment by Frida's Boss Wednesday, Feb 5, 25 @ 2:34 am
user fee?
Comment by Dragnet Wednesday, Feb 5, 25 @ 6:44 am