Leaders spoke about importance of Fair Tax for social justice, delivered letter insisting an end to IPI's "misinformation campaign" against the Fair Tax
Springfield, IL - Hundreds of religious leaders from around the state marched on the offices of the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) in Springfield. The group called on the organization - funded by the wealthiest corporate special interests in America - to stop their false attacks on a Fair Tax, and to let the citizens of Illinois make the decision for themselves about a Fair Tax on the November ballot.
"The Illinois Policy Institute is being dishonest when they claim a Fair Tax is anything besides a tax cut for the overwhelming majority of Illinoisans. The smoke and mirrors about future rates if we drove off the fiscal cliff are designed to confuse and scare voters, all in an effort to protect an unjust status quo," said Rev. Jason Coulter
Documents exposed in a December news report revealed that the Illinois Policy Institute has been serving as a conduit for the national State Policy Network, a group financed by America's wealthiest corporate interests, including billionaires David and Charles Koch. The documents revealed funding to IPI from the group as earmarked for the purpose of making a Fair Tax "politically toxic" to Illinois voters.
"We, the citizens of Illinois, should decide tax and budget policy, not lobbyists and lawmakers backed by the wealthiest corporate special interests in America," said Rev. Coulter.
The Illinois Policy Institute is responsible for many false attacks on the Fair Tax, including claims it would raise taxes on low- and middle-income families?claims which have been thoroughly debunked. The truth is that a Fair Tax - implemented with a rate structure proposed by the Fair Tax Act's chief sponsor, Sen. Don Harmon - would cut taxes for 94% of Illinois residents, including everyone making up to $205,000.
Today's attendees emphasized that tax relief for the overwhelming number of Illinois families and the protection of vital public priorities were both vitally important to the success of their communities.
"I can't possibly pay any more taxes than I already do, and we won't stand for any more cuts to my kids' schools. Enough is enough!" said Tammy Jordan of Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan.
"As a home healthcare worker, people's lives depend on my care. If there are any more cuts to the budget, I'm afraid what will happen to those seniors," said Monique Cooper of the First Baptist Congregational Church of Chicago.
Rev. Coulter noted the unfairness of Illinois' current tax and budget system that requires low and middle income families to pay a tax rate that is two to three times more than that of the very rich, factoring all state and local taxes paid.
"This is backwards. Our faith calls us to fight for a Fair Tax because we believe in a community where everyone pays their fair share. Jesus said, 'to whom much is given, much is required.'"
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