There isn't major support from lawmakers on Governor Quinn's plan to raise the state income tax or cut education funding.
Bill Brady is using Governor Quinn's budget address to call for a change. Brady spoke out against Quinn's plans to raise the income tax by one-percent, borrow money and cut funding for education and local and state government. He says it is the same old thing year in and year out, digging a deeper hole. Brady says Quinn's plan to offer tax credits to small business that creates jobs is good, but doesn't go far enough.
Dale Risinger isn't in favor of Governor Quinn's proposed tax increase for education. The Republican Senator says the tax would bring in more money than Quinn is proposing to cut. He wants to know what the additional dollars would be used for in the future.
Risinger says there shouldn't a tax increase until the General Assembly decides there will be no new spending. Risinger is also against Quinn's plans to borrow more money than the state currently needs.
State Representative Jehan Gordon says the $300-million cuts to municipalities cannot happen. She says this would come on top of the cuts cities have already had to make. She also spoke out against the cuts to education and the tax increase to refund it. The Peoria Democrat says she is in favor of Quinn's small business tax credit if they hire new workers.
Dave Leitch used education, the mentally ill and the disabled as only three examples of segments who will still suffer as services will still experience deep cuts despite the proposed tax increase for education. The Republican State Representative termed these unfortunate groups "pawns" to the bureaucrats.
