Board says Fair Tax needed to lower taxes for the majority of Rock Island County families and save communities from devastating and unprecedented cuts to local services
Rock Island, IL -By an overwhelming majority, the Rock Island County Board passed a resolution this evening calling on lawmakers in Springfield to pass the Fair Tax Act (HJRCA 33/SJRCA 40) as a necessary first step to bring fairness to Illinois' tax code and to avoid devastating and unprecedented cuts to local services. Right now, Illinois has an unfair tax system in which low and middle income families pay a rate that is twice the rate of the very rich, when factoring in all state and local taxes paid.
The resolution specifically endorses a "Fair Tax - with lower rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher incomes" that would "lower taxes for the majority of Rock Island County residents and put more money into our local economy."
"Springfield's cheating our middle class families, holding back our economy, and jeopardizing our way of life here in Rock Island County,"said board member Brian Vyncke. "It's time for fundamental budget and tax reform that includes a Fair Tax, which means a tax cut for Rock Island families."
Vyncke noted that Rock Island County competes with its neighbor to the west. He referenced data presented at last week's Governmental Affair Committee meeting that showed Iowa, which has a Fair Tax, has an unemployment rate that is half of Illinois'. Scott County, IA has sales and property tax rates that are much lower on average that those in Rock Island County.
"We need to grow on this side of the river. We need to make sure families choose to work, shop, and live here in Rock Island County and not head over the bridge to Iowa, which has a Fair Tax," said Vyncke.
Board member Don Jacobs noted that the county has already lost $500,000 from the state this year, which included cuts to the state's attorney's office.
"Today it's cuts to public safety. Tomorrow it will be more cuts to public safety and also to our schools, and our roads, services for our seniors, and all the other things that drive Rock Island County's economy and make our communities livable," said Jacobs. "That's unless Springfield moves forward on the Fair Tax Act."
Mike Malmstrom attended this evening's hearing to offer his support for the Fair Tax resolution. Mike is a veteran who is concerned about cuts to state programs that assist Illinois' veterans and those who have served in our Armed Forces. Mike works to make sure Illinois' veterans are not homeless. His son earned free college tuition from the state after serving in Afghanistan.
"Middle class folks like me will get a tax cut with a Fair Tax and could use one, but the state should not abandon our veterans just because millionaires want a tax cut too," said Malmstrom.
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