http://www.ilhro.com/ News from the Illinois House Republican Organization en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/listen-to-tom-cross-week-in-review/ Click here to listen to the latest Capitol Week in Review. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/dems-should-follow-4-h-code/ Back to that 4-H pledge. The three most powerful Democrats in Springfield, Gov. Blagojevich, Speaker Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones, are from Chicago and they don't have a 4-H background. The program does serve city kids, but not those three city natives. If they had taken that pledge, and thought about what it meant, perhaps we wouldn't be in this mess today. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:59:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/lost-opportunity-may-haunt-democrats/ How Illinois’ Democratic juggernaut went from irresistible force to immovable object is a story that’s partly about individual personalities — particularly those of Blagojevich, who after five years as governor still plays the role of brash young outsider, and his chief nemesis, Rep. Michael Madigan of Chicago, the longtime House speaker and chairman of the state Democratic Party. Their ongoing blood feud is arguably the wrench that stopped everything. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:34:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/house-republicans-block-democrat-income-tax-hike-proposal/ A Democratic constitutional amendment to double the state income tax on people making more than $250,000 a year failed Thursday in the Illinois House as Republicans decried the measure as an election-year stunt. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:05:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/democrats-introduce-3-billion-income-tax-hike/ Plan would double state income tax for high earners By ADRIANA COLINDRESSTAFF WRITER Friday, April 04, 2008 Illinoisans earning at least $250,000 a year would pay twice as much in state income taxes as everyone else under a plan Rep. Mike Smith, D-Canton, unveiled Thursday. WEB EXTRA: Where the $250K residents live (pdf) Smith said his proposed constitutional amendment targets the state’s highest earners — about 107,000 of Illinois’ 5.6 million taxpayers. Their individual state income tax rate would rise to 6 percent, up from the present flat rate of 3 percent. People earning less would continue to pay 3 percent. The higher rate would generate about $3 billion in new revenue, Smith said. The money would be divided roughly equally into three pieces: for education, for infrastructure and for tax relief for people earning less than $250,000. “I think our (flat) tax is regressive currently,” Smith said, explaining why he is pushing the plan. “And I’ve just become frustrated. We’re not moving forward on a capital budget. We’re not moving forward on more money for education.” For the change to take place, however, several hurdles quickly must be cleared in the legislature and with the general public. By early May, lawmakers would have to approve Smith’s proposed constitutional amendment by a three-fifths vote in the House — where Republican support would be needed — and in the Senate. Voters then would be asked to decide. If the amendment appears on November ballots, it could be approved in either of two ways: by winning 60 percent of the vote on the amendment itself or by attracting a number of votes that’s equal to a majority of votes cast in the entire election. Smith’s proposal, designated as House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 42, is poised to take an initial step next week. It is scheduled for consideration in front of the House State Government Administration Committee, which meets at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Some lawmakers hailed the idea of boosting taxes for people with high incomes. “This is the Robin Hood referendum,” said Rep. Joe Lyons, a Chicago Democrat who joined Smith and about a half-dozen other House Democrats at a state Capitol news conference. “Let’s take from the wealthy and give to the poor.” But other legislators raised questions or rejected the proposal outright. “Good luck,” said Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley. “Color me ‘no.’ I’m not doubling anybody’s tax rates in a recession.” “Until we learn how to control our spending, we’re always going to be short, no matter how much we raise taxes,” said Rep. Rich Brauer, R-Petersburg. “I think it’s ridiculous.” “At this time, I wouldn’t commit to it,” said Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield. “At this point, it’s interesting. Let’s take a look at it.” Some of the critics said that raising the state income tax rate for people earning $250,000 or more would drive business out of Illinois. Small businesses often are set up as Subchapter S or limited-liability companies, which enables their shareholders to pay the state’s individual income tax rate, rather than the corporate income tax rate. “By attempting to go after so-called wealthy individuals, the biggest category you’re getting is small-business owners,” said Todd Maisch, vice president of government affairs for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Legislative leaders refrained from saying much about the proposal Thursday. Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, called it “an intriguing idea” but said Madigan hasn’t yet taken a position. Smith’s legislation is just one of the pending measures that call for a state income tax hike. Senate Bill 2288, for instance, would raise the state’s personal income tax rate from 3 percent to 5 percent, and the corporate income tax rate from 4.8 percent to 8 percent. The resulting revenues would be spent on education, property tax relief and paying down state government’s debt. That bill passed a Senate committee in February, when its sponsors called it a work in progress. Another proposed constitutional amendment, labeled as SJRCA89, would create a graduated state income tax system, which means people who earn more would pay more. At present, Illinois has a flat income tax system, in which individuals pay one rate and corporations pay another rate, regardless of income level. That measure, introduced Wednesday, awaits consideration in the Senate. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has vowed to veto any legislation that increases the state’s income tax. Adriana Colindres can be reached at 782-6292. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:14:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/listen-to-tom-cross-on-at-issue/ House Republican Leader Tom Cross discusses the "frosty" atmosphere in Springfield. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:10:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/watch-tom-cross-interview-on-city-desk/ Watch House Republican Leader Tom Cross' interview on City Desk with Carol Marin. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:59:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/beacon-news-gives-robocall-legislation-a-thumbs-up/ While there might be some free-speech obstacles to navigate, we give a THUMBS UP to the legislation proposed last week that targets political "robocalls." Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:01:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/republicans-seek-to-end-robocalls/ Three Illinois House Republicans today announced new legislation that would ban unsolicited, pre-recorded calls within the state. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:53:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/gop-seeks-to-bring-reform-to-cook-county/ Using Todd Stroger's new budget as a rallying cry, Republican lawmakers are calling on Springfield to restrict Cook County's ability to raise taxes and add workers. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/house-republicans-unveil-cook-county-fiscal-reform-legislation/ In response to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s recent sales tax hike, State Representatives Angelo “Skip” Saviano (R-River Grove), Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) and Suzie Bassi (R-Palatine) unveiled legislation today that will make it harder for the Cook County Board to raise, require greater public disclosure of any tax proposal, and spread sunshine on Cook County hiring practices. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:25:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/house-republicans-call-dems-1in-taxing-and-spending/ Republican lawmakers railed against the 1 percentage point Cook County sales tax hike that takes effect July 1, pulling out large, red foam No. 1 fingers to indicate their Democratic counterparts have helped cause the "highest tax burden of the entire country." "Congrats, you're No. 1!" yelled state Rep. Mike Bost while waving his foam finger. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:23:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/cross-rose-advance-economic-stimulus-package/ "We have lost over 200,000 jobs in a relatively short amount of time," Cross said. "We need to do what we think we can do to push the economy forward ... as it seems to soften." Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:21:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/cross-wait-and-winters-push-jobs-package-in-rockford/ A couple of state lawmakers get input from business leaders about a capital plan. Illinois House Republican leader Tom Cross and State Representative Ron Wait were at Dial Machine in Rockford to talk about their ideas for a capital improvement plan. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:19:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/as-democrats-raise-taxes-shoppers-seek-alternatives/ Cook County's rate increase may push more shoppers to search for greener retail pastures in the collar counties, Indiana or cyberspace Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:59:00 -0400 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/house-republicans-call-for-sales-tax-holiday/ Springfield, IL…A group of House Republican lawmakers on Thursday introduced a proposal that would provide families with a sales tax holiday over the four day Memorial Day weekend. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:58:00 -0500 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/governor-sends-1-million-to-wrong-place/ Gov. Rod Blagojevich is giving $1 million to the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago because the initial $1 million grant he pledged to the burned out church mistakenly went somewhere else. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:51:00 -0500 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/democrats-get-poor-marks-for-governing/ A messy state budget picture and constant fighting at the state Capitol have earned Illinois poor marks for governmental management and performance from a public interest watchdog group. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:18:00 -0500 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/cross-brady-push-for-job-creation-bill/ House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Asst. Republican Leader Dan Brady advocate for a job creation bill. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:14:00 -0500 http://www.ilhro.com/nc/press/view/article/no-reform-in-cook-county-just-higher-taxes/ Democrats cave to special interests and vote for massive sales tax increase Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:05:00 -0500