By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – There’s a clear difference of opinion among a couple of state Senators as to whether the package being discussed to end the state’s year-and-a-half long budget impasse is the right direction.
Tax increases with reforms. That’s the idea from leading Senators to end the impasse.
State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said there are things in the package he doesn’t like.
“I hope we can continue to work together to round off some of the edges, but right now it’s important that we do something, that we do anything, rather than continue to do nothing,” he said.
However, state Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, said “something’s better (than) nothing” is the wrong approach. “Pass anything even if it’s bad? Absolutely not. Take the time. Get the courage to do the right thing.”
McCarter said he may revisit his previous budget ideas that bring about balance through cuts alone, not tax increases.
Senate President John Cullerton’s office said Senate leaders continue to address questions raised in the committees.
Meanwhile, House Democrats have a plan they believe will fix the state’s problems, but one House Republican said tax increases are not the answer.
In responding to the governor’s State of the State Address, House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said the state should have pro-growth policies, just not the one’s promoted by the governor.
Lang said there should be tax credits for some, but higher taxes for others.
“By requiring the very wealthiest in our state to pay a small surcharge, but only on income, they earn over $1 million,” he said.
That would require a constitutional change for a progressive tax — an effort that failed the House last year when the Democrats had a supermajority — enough to advance it without any Republican support.
Republican state Rep. David McSweeney borrowed a line from President Donald Trump when reacting to the idea of tax increases.
“People want change,” he said. “We need to drain the swamp in Springfield. And, specifically, what that means is we need to stop these tax increases.”
Senators are back in session on Thursday after abruptly halting discussions on Wednesday. The House isn’t scheduled back until February.
