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Rep. Davidsmeyer: “I’ve had threats of hanging from a tree”

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Illinois

* The SJ-R interviewed local legislators about their votes on the tax hike and budget bills…

* Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, voted in favor of both bills. “I was concerned about the downgrade. I was concerned about the backlog of bills growing from $15 billion to $25 billion. At the end of the day, we ended up with a 4.95 (percent) income tax, as opposed to next year, where it would probably be a 5.55 income tax. I was trying to decrease the impact on my constituents.

“I’ve talked to a lot of my constituents, and after I explain, they understand. There’s a lot of people from outside of my district that are upset. I’ve had threats of hanging from a tree and things like that … just words, on Facebook.

“At the end of the day I think we can be civil and have a discussion, but I think it’s fiscally conservative to lower the amount that we’re spending currently today. We’re spending $39 billion. We’re taking it down to $36.5 billion. I think that’s a fiscally responsible thing to do.”

* Meanwhile, from the Daily Herald…

Their inboxes and social media feeds are jamming with hate mail, but three suburban Republicans say they wouldn’t change their votes on a state income tax increase, given what’s at stake. […]

[Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago), a former mayor, said the $36.5 billion budget proposal was less than the nearly $39 billion spent last year and included reforms such as a government consolidation bill.

“Increasing the income tax has never been my preferred option,” Fortner said. But “my balance point was reached. This was a real balanced budget, there were real reductions in spending levels, and sufficient reforms to move forward.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 10:37 am

Comments

To cite a previous thread, there are some who just want to burn down the state. I applaud Davidsmeyer & Fortune for their courage in the face of irrational and vile threats.

Comment by Galena Guy Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 10:45 am
Ahem…Fortner (Stupid spell check)
And John Rawlss,we’re still waiting on “real” Republicans to propose a solution.

Comment by Galena Guy Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 10:48 am
“sufficient reforms to move forward.”
I would agree that halting or slowing the debt spiral is a substantial reform from the status quo.
Addressing the budget shortfalls stops the quantifiable bleeding. Something faux “reforms” like term limits, property tax interference, and future pension reductions simply cannot accomplish.
Even workers comp reductions create a potential shift to public assistance which could offset any possible indirect benefit.

Comment by Deadbeat Conservative Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 10:49 am
In the heat of the major issues, few are talking about how significant a $2.5b reduction in spending will be.

Comment by Lurking MBA Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 10:53 am
@John

Real republicans would vote for this bill.

Comment by real Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 10:55 am
This tax increase buys the state some time. The real test is in a few years, if the Democrats are back asking for another tax increase, to make up for increased spending, loss of business, and exodus of tax payers, from the state.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 11:06 am
This is all so confusing to me. So, Rauner will veto this. Is an override a foregone conclusion? Or is there a chance they won’t override?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 11:20 am
Anon 11:20: Rauner will veto it almost for sure, Madigan will hopefully call for the override vote right away to avoid disaster (but might be tempted to allow disaster so the tax hike shows more a hero move saving us from Rauner than a punishment) and a decent chance it keeps the votes to get overriden.

99% chance its vetoed
80% chance Madigan calls for the override right away
70% chance they still have the votes to override it.

Comment by Seats Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 11:27 am
GG - The speaker been burning down the State for years. Please wake up, 30 plus years of burning.

Comment by Hickory Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 11:36 am
You can’t always get what you want, but I applaud the Republicans for being reasonable and pragmatic. Half a loaf is better than none. Unfortunately, Rauner is an all or nothing guy. A decrease in spending is a victory. The tax hike is a no-brainer, since you need revenue to function and avoid much higher borrowing costs. There is no other choice. I don’t like higher taxes, but destroy and burn is not the answer. Yes, we all know how this happened, but this can be the beginning of responsible government. The lesson of financial success for individuals and government is simply to spend less than you take in.

Comment by Prairie Dog Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 11:36 am
== The lesson of financial success for individuals and government is simply to spend less than you take in. ==

Then let us hope that Rauner actually restrains spending instead of continuing to spend big bucks on boondoggle computer projects that were never approved by the GA. Can’t believe the amount of money that has been wasted so far on what has been described to as “a glorified spreadsheet that barely functions”.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 11:48 am
If the Governor is serious about stopping the bill, then he shouldn’t veto it immediately. I think he has 60 days to act. If he delays for a few weeks, that would give tax opponents time to try to persuade a few of the Yes voters of the error of their ways.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 12:33 pm
- ” people from outside of my district that are upset. I’ve had threats of hanging from a tree and things like that … just words, on Facebook.

The IPI has filled people with propaganda and distortions to a point where they are actually posting threats of murder on public forums.

When does the Illinois Policy Institute stop stoking the flames and take it back?

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 12:42 pm
I’ve read some of the reaction to this on FB and it makes me sick. Why can’t people be civil when they disagree with a politician’s vote?

Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 7:17 pm
== I’ve read some of the reaction to this on FB ==

I have both sides pushing their stories at me on FB but I ignore 99% of FB political comments; they tend to get repetitive and rarely have any facts to back up their opinions. All they seem to know is what they hear in paid for campaign ads or from their closed newsgroups. This is true on both the national and local levels.

I must say certain groups have been very effective in creating envy and anger, and harnessing it.

I miss the days of Paul Simon, Richard Ogilvie, and even Jim Thompson. I didn’t always agree with them, but I respected them, for playing it straight with facts.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 8:47 pm