By David Stanczak
Madigan’s minions are at it again. They are pushing two income tax proposals. The first is a resolution to put a proposition on the November ballot to amend the Illinois Constitution by striking out the language which prohibits a progressive income tax. The proposed amendment doesn’t say what the graduated rates would be; that would be left up to the General Assembly.
The second proposal is Rep. Lou Lang’s bill that would, assuming the constitutional amendment passes, solve all our problems. It promises tax relief for the middle class: a married couple making under $200,000 would actually get a tax cut; the resulting revenue loss would not only be made up by levying a higher tax on those no-good rich people who can afford to pay, it would generate enough additional revenue to get the state out of its fiscal mess. Is this terrific or what?
The first problem with this scheme is that Lang’s bill is a Trojan horse. The progressive income tax will be sold on the basis of Lang’s proposed rates. The average voter/taxpayer will be told that, by approving the constitutional amendment, he can give himself a tax cut and solve the state’s revenue problems in one stroke just by soaking the rich. Problem is that Lang’s bill is just that: a bill. Once the constitutional amendment is passed, the General Assembly can set whatever rates it wants. If, after the Constitution is amended, the General Assembly suddenly “realizes” that they’re not going to get enough money by soaking the rich at 8.75% or 9.75%, they can raise the rates on them, or lower the incomes at which they kick in, or both. If the bait-and-switch laws applied to legislation, these guys would be serving consecutive life terms. Just remember: the people who are bringing you this scheme are the same guys who brought you the “temporary” income tax hike to pay the state’s bills and then squandered the money instead of paying bills, the same guys who declared pension contribution holidays to put us further in debt, and the same guys who brought you the Illinois Lottery to finance our kids’ education. Knowing this, what could possibly go wrong with a graduated income tax?
Giving a loaded gun to a 3-year old would be less destructive.
David Stanczak, a Forum commentator since 1995, came to Bloomington in 1971. He served as the City of Bloomington’s first full-time legal counsel for over 18 years, before entering private practice. He is currently employed by the Snyder Companies and continues to reside in Bloomington with his family.
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