Governor Proposes $1 Billion in Tax Increases to Cover Expenses for His Migrant Crisis
On Wednesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker delivered his annual combined Budget Address and State of the State Address, proposing a billion dollars in tax increases to fund the growing price tag of the migrant crisis that he invited.
As grocery prices hit a 30-year high, the Governor’s tax increases would hit families yet again by cutting the standard deduction. His plan would also go after small and large jobs creators, leaving Illinoisans earning less, paying more for goods and services, or both.
Since taking office, Pritzker has increased spending on noncitizen programs from just a few million dollars per year to roughly a billion dollars, by offering services from free housing to free healthcare.
State Senator Bennett argued that increasing taxes by a billion dollars to pay for a billion dollars in spending on noncitizens is a clear display of the Governor’s misplaced priorities.
Overall, the Governor’s budget would set a new record as the largest in state history. Pritzker called for an additional $2 billion in spending with a total price tag of nearly $53 billion. If he is able to pass his plan, he will have grown state spending by 30% in just six years in office.
Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus have long advocated for eliminating the state’s sales tax on groceries. While Pritzker claimed to support the idea in the speech, he failed to include details in his budget document, so it’s hard to tell how serious he actually is about the concept.
Senator Bennett added that he is committed to fighting these proposed tax hikes and providing real relief to the citizens of the state.
Senator Bennett is asking for your help to tell Pritzker “NO” to these new tax hikes. If you agree, please sign his petition here: Say NO to Tax Hikes Petition
How much do we owe?
As of the time of this writing, the State of Illinois owes $1,129,810,669.29 to state vendors, including 13,994 pending vouchers. This figure represents the amount of bills submitted to the office of the Comptroller and still awaiting payment. It does not include debts that can only be estimated, such as our unfunded pension liability which is subject to a wide range of factors and has been estimated to be more than $139 billion. At the same time last year, the state’s accounts payable stood at a little less than $2 billion.
Did You Know?
It is National FFA Week! Here are 5 fun facts about FFA.
- Founded in 1928, the Future Farmers of America brought together students, teachers and agribusiness to solidify support for agricultural education.
- The FFA motto is “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve”.
- The organization’s official colors – national blue and corn gold – were adopted in 1929. The blue pays tribute to our nation’s flag, while the gold gives a respectful nod to agriculture, symbolizing golden fields of ripened corn.
- Delegates voted to adopt the blue corduroy jacket with the yellow FFA emblem as the organization’s official dress in 1933.
- Women were not allowed national FFA membership until 1969. Today, 35% of FFA membership is female, while 47% of state leadership positions are held by women.
This Week in the 53rd District
State Senator Tom Bennett – Working full-time to represent you
