How Governor Pat Quinn Can Explain the Tax Increase

There ain't that much booze in the world to make this Tax Jump in any way palatable - unless, of course, one is a Public Radio Zombie already. Open wide and swallow hard!

Nevertheless, Governor Quinn can present this tax for what it is . . .


Governor Pat Quinn should follow this script-rubric presented by Speaker Madigan's spokesman Steve Brown. This is the only common sense approach to explaining the run-away fiscal avalanche that Illinois created since Blago bought the governor's office . . .with alot of help.

In response to this question, "If you were the governor, how would you sell this income tax hike to the citizenry?"

Steve Brown wrote -

-

Steve Brown - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 7:47 am:

The easiest message is the truth. The budget reforms — including the tax increase — prevent a shutdown of vitally needed government services, payless paydays and bond defaults. It will also prevent derivatives traders from actions that might lead to same consequences we saw in the housing market.

The Illinois tax structure remain competitive with both surrounding states and states with the same quality of life as Illinois — two vastly different categories.BTW Rich’s newsletter contains a number of errors concerning Speaker Madigan and the gaming bill.

The Speaker recused himself on that bill early on because a client of the law firm could benefit from the bill. He took role concerning the bill and therefore was not involved in the decision to not move the bill.

Rich was asked to correct the incorrect information in the newsletter.

(emphasis my own)


Steve Brown earns every nickel he makes.



From Capitol Fax Blog -

Burris to 2010 or $50 Million to Play Progressive? -Burris.

I like Lisa Madigan. The Illinois Attorney General is smart, well-spoken, good-humored and a tough as nails.

But, I like her Sphinx of a Father, Speaker Mike Madigan - the only adult and the only public servant in the long battle with Emil (ComEd & Anyone Else) Jones and Rod (It's Golden) Blagojevich.

Jones and Blagojevich fought each other to the trough at every opportunity. Speaker Madigan quietly took steps to save Illinois millions of dollars.

Today, Madigan's Spokesman Steve Brown offers the best reason to leave Roland Burris where he is in the U.S. Senate. The ineffective instrument of Blagojevich's punishment of the citizens of Illinois, Burris allowed his vanity to sell off what, if any, dignity he had left. Every person, every voter in Illinois gets Burris. We also get the voices for Special Election.

Jan Schakowsky wants the Senate probably more than Burris and would prove as thigh tinglingly inspirational.

SEIU wants . . .the end of the American middle class.

Hogs at the trough want greater snout room.

Special Election in Illinois will let those dreams come true.

Lisa Madigan is an astute lawyer under political pressure. Mike Madigan is a public servant. Mike Madigan has it right.

Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), raised concerns about a special election's price tag but had not seen the attorney general's opinion.

"I don't know the opinion paves the way for anything," said Brown, whose boss is the attorney general's father. "You have an appointment process in place for 130 years, and no one has really complained about it. The reality is it's $50 million. Does anyone suggest where we find that money? That's really the critical question.

Yep, we can live with Burris.