Democrat's Budget rewards politicians who raised taxes
Rock Island... Last January, Democrat Governor Pat Quinn and Representative Pat Verschoore pushed through a 67% increase in the state's income tax, now they feel they deserve a pay raise. Based upon the budget introduced by Governor Quinn, legislators and the Governor himself would receive thousands in new pay raises and that is out-of-line and out-of-touch according to Jonathan Wallace, Republican candidate for State Representative.
"Raising taxes to pay for politician's lofty salaries is unacceptable and tone deaf to the issues facing working families," Wallace stated. "Illinois faces nearly $9 billion in unpaid bills, a number that could grow to over $20 billion in a few short years and yet the Democrat budget is prepared to spend thousands on pay raises for legislators and even the Governor."
Further examination of the Governor's proposal has uncovered pay increases for the State's constitutional officers and legislators, including the Governor's own salary. Under the proposal Governor Quinn would see his salary jump by $1,600 to $179,100. In all, the proposal includes over $250,000 in pay increases for these elected officials, which is nearly $1 million dollars higher than it was in FY2011.
The Governor's proposal stands in direct contrast to Wallace's plan to cut the salary of all Illinois House Representatives by 25%.
"I signed a 'Contract with the 72nd', in which I pledged to take a 25% salary cut and author legislation requiring other legislators to do the same. The average family in Illinois paid over $1,000 more in taxes last year, but the Governor and legislators would use that tax money to provide themselves with pay raises," Wallace added. "While the Governor talks about shared sacrifice, it seems the only people sacrificing are those paying for the politicians pay raises."
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