Quinn Signs Bill Easing Way for Local Sales Tax Increases
by Kristina Rasmussen Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a bill making it easier for local school districts to reap a windfall from higher local sales taxes. According to Chris Wetterich over at the State Journal-Register, Quinn’s action“eliminates the ability of county boards to block or reduce school construction sales tax levies.” That’s a shame, because as I experienced...
Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a bill making it easier for local school districts to reap a windfall from higher local sales taxes. According to Chris Wetterich over at the State Journal-Register, Quinn’s action“eliminates the ability of county boards to block or reduce school construction sales tax levies.”
That’s a shame, because as I experienced here in Sangamon County last fall, county boards can help raise awareness and open up discussions regarding proposed local option tax increases.
In our case, proponents wanted to increase the sales tax rate by 12 percent, for a total tax rate of 9 points. New revenues would have gone to school construction.
The county board helped to make voters more aware of the potential benefits and costs by holding multiple public forums on the topic. The tax hike failed at the ballot box, but if the measure had passed, the county board would have had final say on how a tax hike might have been implemented. Since they were inclined to consider the broader scope of demands, including public safety, it’s unlikely that such a drastic increase would have been imposed.
No doubt about it, tax hike proponents want another go at the honey pot. Said one supporter: “I’m confident that at some point it (a school sales tax) might be asked for again. Is the need there? It’s almost a forgone conclusion that it is.”
But next time around, the county board won’t be there to help separate out wants from needs.