Wait, Illinois House Condemn Governor’s Gross Receipts Tax

May 10, 2007

Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) cast his vote Thursday condemning the governor’s gross receipts tax proposal.  The House of Representatives considered HR 402, a bipartisan measure sponsored by Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego).  The legislation, intended to serve as a “straw poll” in which supporters of the GRT voted affirmatively while opponents of the new tax voted “no,” revealed that no member of the Illinois House supports the governor’s proposal.

“Today’s vote is a clear signal to the governor that his proposal to raise taxes on employers and consumers is dead on arrival in the House,” Wait said.  “Even members of his own party think the governor’s GRT is a terrible idea for Illinois.”

The roll call on HR402 garnered no affirmative votes, 107 votes in opposition, and seven “present” votes.  In a futile attempt to preempt the Blagojevich administration’s most devastating defeat this year, the governor’s office issued a press release encouraging members to vote against the resolution because the proposal was “too important for a rush to judgment.”

Addressing the governor’s attempt to spin the impending defeat, Deputy House Republican Leader Bill Black (R-Danville) said, “The oldest trick in the magician’s handbook is to get you to watch one hand while the other does a slight of hand.”

Wait added, “The governor’s attempt to stave off the embarrassment of a resounding defeat is just like the five-year-old who says he didn’t really want the candy after his parents tell him no.”