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Illinois this week earned the honor of becoming the first state in 2011 to sock it to taxpayers, passing a tax hike the size of Lake Michigan. Citizens cried out, legislators deflected, but the most interesting response came from neighboring Wisconsin, where newly elected GOP Gov. Scott Walker had three words for Illinois businesses: "Escape to Wisconsin."
Across the country, dozens of new governors are taking office, fine-tuning state-of-the-state addresses, polishing budgets. With each event we are seeing a growing national divide.
On one side are wide swathes of the country that this past midterm elected reformers intent on slashing spending and reviving growth. On the other are the holdout pockets—Illinois, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut—drifting further into the abyss of tax and spend. The chasm has huge implications, not just for local and regional politics but for Washington.
Mr. Walker is painting that gulf as big as the Grand Canyon, this week blitzing the Chicago media markets to let suffering Illinois businesses know that while their governor, Pat Quinn, levies a 50% increase in corporate income taxes, Wisconsin is working to enact the total elimination of corporate income taxes for two years for firms that migrate. The "Escape to Wisconsin" line comes from an old tourism campaign, but Mr. Walker thinks it sums up the business choice perfectly. "We're going to send out that line to every employer in the state of Illinois," he tells me.
What the cencud shows is the change that has been going on long before this recession in the economy.They say all politics is local because that is where it begins . Just as we look at what so many states are doing to see where national politics is headed.But liie unemplyemnt rates it can fool you;because some states with the lowest actaully don't mploy many and some of thsoe sdtates will also be big losers in the reduced spending by federal governamnt because it will mean higher taxes to support local projects in the future.
Indiana attracted many Illinois businesses these last years, and apparently they want to lower taxes too..So more people/businesses will come to Indiana, Mitch Daniels must be so happy
Location: In a Galaxy far, far away called Germany
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I live in the Metro East of St. Louis and many people go do business over on the Missouri side because of taxes. I purchase my gas over there because it is as much as 15 cents cheaper (at times, but usually a dime cheaper). Illinois just elected this clown and to repay his constituents - he raises their taxes. None of us have had a pay raise in years . . . but, he taxes us more. Thank you gov. Ass-hat!
Chicago - Add Mayor Daley to the long list of people who do not like the state's approval of a jaw dropping income tax hike, which is awaiting Quinn’s signature in Springfield.
Daley, who is not seeking re-election this spring, knows what triggers businesses to stay in Illinois or leave. He fears the legislature's latest move will result in a quiet exodus of jobs.
Neighboring States, Mayor Daley Slam Tax Increase's Business Impact (http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/income-tax-increase-business-impact-indiana-wisconsin-daley-20110113 - broken link)
The 11th-hour modification "is a joke," said Ty Fahner, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. "It's like saying I'm going to hit you hard, and now I'm going to hit you a little. I believe it's disingenuous and it puts Illinois in a terrible spot in terms of creating or keeping jobs here."
I live in IL, I pay more this year in rent increases because of "market value" and increase in gas prices because of the market than I will in this tax increase. People are never up in arms about that though because it doesn't have a easily villified word associated with it.
Location: In a Galaxy far, far away called Germany
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Quote:
Originally Posted by odinloki1
This cracks me up.
I live in IL, I pay more this year in rent increases because of "market value" and increase in gas prices because of the market than I will in this tax increase. People are never up in arms about that though because it doesn't have a easily villified word associated with it.
Really? You don't think we complain or are up in arms about higher prices for food, gas, rent, etc. . . ? I don't know of anyone here (I live in Illinois) that doesn't complain about those things. These things (gas & food) we can choose not to purchase (or not as much), but taxes are forced upon us. Any way you slice this tax increase, it is a slap in the face to all of us struggling to stay afloat in Illinois.
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