Illinois Delegation Votes on State Bailout
by Kristina Rasmussen The House just voted on the ill-crafted state government/union boss bailout bill. The bill passed, and it looks headed to President Obama’s desk for his likely signature. Unions representing public employees and teachers may be cheering, but many taxpayers are jeering, and for good reason. They understand this measure will only increase the pressure...
The House just voted on the ill-crafted state government/union boss bailout bill. The bill passed, and it looks headed to President Obama’s desk for his likely signature.
Unions representing public employees and teachers may be cheering, but many taxpayers are jeering, and for good reason. They understand this measure will only increase the pressure for state government to further pick their pockets.
That’s because this bailout contains “maintenance of effort” requirements that prohibit certain expenditure reductions now or in out years. This effectively removes pressure from state legislators to enact spending reforms while simultaneously heightening calls for tax hikes. Illinois taxpayers have Governor Quinn’s income tax hike proposal hanging over their heads. This bailout will only make passage of that tax hike all the more likely. All the more reason for legislators to sign the Illinois Honest Taxation Pledge.
Here’s how the Illinois delegation voted:
YES Bean, Melissa L., Illinois, 8th
NO Biggert, Judy, Illinois, 13th
YES Costello, Jerry, Illinois, 12th
YES Davis, Danny K., Illinois, 7th
YES Foster, Bill, Illinois, 14th
YES Gutierrez, Luis, Illinois, 4th
YES Hare, Phil, Illinois, 17th
YES Halvorson, Deborah “Debbie”, Illinois, 11th
YES Jackson Jr., Jesse L., Illinois, 2nd
NO Johnson, Timothy V., Illinois, 15th
NO Kirk, Mark, Illinois, 10th
YES Lipinski, Daniel, Illinois, 3rd
NO Manzullo, Donald, Illinois, 16th
YES Quigley, Mike, Illinois, 5th
NOT VOTING Roskam, Peter J., Illinois, 6th
YES Rush, Bobby L., Illinois, 1st
YES Schakowsky, Jan, Illinois, 9th
NO Schock, Aaron, Illinois, 18th
NO Shimkus, John, Illinois, 19th
Kudos to Reps. Biggert, Johnson, Kirk, Manzullo, Schock, and Shimkus for voting NO. Remember, those voting YES just made a state income tax hike more likely for your family.