The Press Speaks To The Gov.

From Around the State: What People are Saying about Blagojevich's Massive Tax & Spending Plan

Gov. Rod is grossing us out Editorial March 15, 2007 "Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to make sure he has enough money to pay his backlog of bills and for his ambitious social agenda. "Too bad he isn't as concerned about whether his gross receipts tax will put your salary, benefits or job in peril. Too bad he isn't as concerned about whether your employer might move to Missouri or new businesses choose to avoid Illinos." Blagojevich sets too high a price Editorial March 7, 2007 "Gov. Rod Blagojevich never met a big government program he didn't like." "Let's hope lawmakers put the breaks on the governor's grandiose plans. Economic growth, and not more government spending, is what Illlinois needs."

Tax Proposal is Too Flawed Editorial "Businesses are the backbone of this state, not the villian."

Get Ready, the Deal-Making Begins Today Editorial March 7, 2007 "This state continues to carry a huge debt on its shoulders, estimated at $2 billion last summer, and we continue to see Blagojevich and our elected leaders settle on short-term financial fixes that lack long-term structure and stability. "Adding new programs, as wanted as they may be, and paying for them with money that could instead be used to get us out of debt makes little sense to us."

Smaller Companies Oppose Tax Plan Editorial March 9, 2007 "It hurts the small guy that might be a high-profit company. Under this proposal, it not only taxes my business but my subcontractors," he said. "I think (the proposed tax) is an awful thing. It was used in the 1800s and found to be regressive and anti-business. It was phased out in the 20th century." Big Dreams, Taxpayers Beware Editorial March 8, 2007 "Blagojevich frames the choice here as between big, bad business and the long-suffering middle class, but that's simplistic. Corporations also employ Illinoisans who might lose jobs if this passes. These tax increases will be passed on to consumers. The governor says, "I will not raise taxes on people," but in fact he would be, through the back door."

The Blagojevich Legacy Editorial March 8, 2007 "This constant quest for new hills to climb conveys the governor's eagerness to solve problems and be noticed. Unfortunately, at a moment when he wanted to sell his state on some controversial concepts, he delivered a divisive populist rant ("middle-class families," good--"corporations," bad, bad, bad) that only confirms the perception of him in some quarters as a lightweight. Illinois citizens might have been swayed Wednesday by the bring-us-together touch of Barack Obama. Instead they got Hugo Chavez." Paying for Pensions Letter to Editor March 9, 2007 "The State of Illinois is going down a frightening road with a gross receipts tax. To my knowledge, Michigan is the only state with a gross receipts tax. Michigan is also the only state to lose jobs over the last five years. Michigan is the only state currently in a recession, despite the decent economy nationwide."

Gross-Receipts Tax Would be Harmful to Illiniois Editorial March 2, 2007 "Illinois has enough trouble trying to overcome its image of a bad business climate. But there will be real stormy weather ahead if the state enacts a gross-receipts tax. "It's not just because that will be hurt. Consumers will be hurt, too."