Norquist warns IL GOP lawmakers to reject any tax increase

Republicans who lose their brand as tax fighters and government limiters endanger more than just their own elected positions, they threaten the credibility of their political party brand and the nation's economic future, nationally-renowned conservative Grover Norquist said at a meeting in Addison Saturday.

It's not rocket science, it's a simple marketing principle, Norquist warned.  Just don't ruin the brand.

"If you picked up a Coke bottle and saw a rat's head in the bottom, you'd never think about Coke the same way again," the founder of Americans for Tax Reform told a crowd of 100 Saturday.  "Ruining a brand is not a victimless crime.  Republicans who vote for a tax increase of any kind -- no matter how small -- endanger the Republicans' established brand of always being for limited government and lower taxes."

Norquist, who nationally organized an eclectic array of issue-focused groups into the influential "Leave Us Alone" Coalition, said it was time for a second ad hoc group to form, this one promoting government accountability and transparency. 

"This will be the next powerful force to effect government," Norquist said. 

Sunshine coalitions or those who work to reveal waste in government spending, are forming nationwide, Norquist said.  His Americans for Tax Reform was joining with Illinois' Americans for Prosperity and Illinois Policy Institute to encourage public revelation of how their tax dollars are being spent.

State Rep. Mike Fortner of West Chicago, one of three state lawmakers joining Norquist in a panel discussion, agreed with Norquist that during his current freshman term as a state representative, he was surprised to learn firsthand how little accountability there is in the state budget making process. 

"My experience up until now was at the municipal government level, and we were much more open with the budget process there than the way things are done in Springfield."  This week, the Illinois General Assembly set an historic precedent in the longest overtime session in search of a budget agreement.

Norquist said the number of Republicans who sign on to ATR's "no tax increase" pledge is very high at the Congressional level, but not the case at the state and local levels. 

"Only about one-third of Republican state lawmakers  nationwide have promised they would not raise taxes," he said. 

A bi-partisan ten percent of the Illinois Senate and 19 percent of the House have signed ATR's no tax increase pledge.

More pressure should be exerted on lawmakers for no tax increases and those Republicans who dare to help Democrats pass any tax hike should be warned about possible primary challenges, Family Pac's Executive Director Paul Caprio said.

"At least two in your caucus have voted for a 2 percent tax increase in committee," Caprio said to Fortner.  "They need to know that they could face a primary if they or any other Republicans vote for a tax increase of any kind." 

During Q & A, an emotional Republican Assembly of Lake County's President Raymond True voiced his strong dissatisfaction with Republicans who voted for the one month budget that could face another extension vote this week. 

"Make the Democrats take the blame for shutting down the state government," True said.  "Don't help them by giving them another month to get a budget together."

Senator Carole Pankau (R-Addison) said she didn't think there were enough votes for another one month extension, but Sen. Dan Cronin wasn't quite as sure.

"Call Senator Frank Watson and tell him what you just said,"  Cronin (R-Elmhurst) told True.  "Our Republican leadership are nice downstate people, but Frank Watson needs to hear from you. . ."

Americans for Prosperity's Joe Calomino told the crowd he was hopeful that a no-growth budget could pass the Illinois General Assembly and congratulated those who helped to stop the gross revenue tax the governor had hopes of passing this session. 

Calomino said the anti-tax movement in Illinois was just beginning to catch on, and asked those attending the forum to join their grassroots efforts throughout the state.       

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, DuPage County Commissioner Brian Sheahan, possible 14th CD candidate Jim Oberweis, and Republican candidate for the State Rep Joe Dunn's open seat Jen Bower were in attendance, as well as a small gathering of conservative leaders who met with Norquist before the public forum.