Rep. Wait: Governor’s Message Disguises Taxes on Businesses

Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) said the Democrats must stop proposing measures which hurt Illinois businesses and expand Illinois government. His comments came in response to Governor Blagojevich’s combined State of the State and budget address today which disguised new taxes and fees on Illinois manufactures and businesses primarily to fund new state programs. 

“It is clear that our national economy is slowing, causing increases in unemployment rates, home foreclosures, and financial difficulties for many families. Now the governor wants to raise more taxes on businesses that provide jobs to workers and remove incentives which help companies grow and thrive. These are not the solutions to help get families back to work and boost our economy.”

Wait said though it was disguised in his message, the governor plans to introduce numerous initiatives this session which will destroy employers and jobs including a $1 billion payroll tax and $250 million in unspecified business taxes. Illinois House Republicans have been successful in defeating past proposals for a payroll tax as well as last year’s Gross Receipts Tax plan which would have shattered the business climate in Illinois.

Over the past 8 years, Illinois has lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs. Wait’s own legislative district has been hard hit with a good portion of those losses from the closure of the Motorola plant in Harvard and recent announcement of a shift cut at the Chrysler plant in Belvidere which will result in the loss of 1,100 local jobs.

The lawmaker said he will be pushing for a capital plan this session which offers a viable revenue source to pay for repairs and construction of schools, higher education buildings, roadways, mass transportation, and other state facilities.

Wait said he is pleased the governor showed support today for a capital plan, but he has reservations for the governor’s plan to pay for the proposal. “A capital plan will provide hundreds of thousands of new jobs for Illinois workers and improve safety and living for Illinois citizens. But we cannot sacrifice the Lottery which provides vital dollars for education in Illinois.”