Cut spending, don't bailout or hike taxes, polls say

So the Governor says now he's going to wait until the fall veto session to vote on the so-urgently-needed-crisis-preventing state income tax hike. They'll patch together something to get us through until then, we're told. Let's hope the Dems aren't looking for a federal bailout, because a Rasmussen poll today says Republicans and independents look with disdain upon any more bailouts:

Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans and 61% of adults not affiliated with either major political party oppose federal bailout help for states with budget problems. A plurality (42%) of Democrats agree, but 31% think bailing out the states is a good idea.

Republican members of the IL General Assembly should be congratulated if what's being reported is true, and they've stopped a state income tax hike. Against all odds and the Democrats' assumptions the GOPers had no fiscal conservative backbones in them, they defied the Dems and held tight and well, they deserve a round of applause.

Republican lawmakers should take note of a Rasmussen poll released today that says 73% of Americans are saying state budget troubles are best solved by budget cuts, not tax increases.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Americans say their state is experiencing a budget crisis, and 73% of that group say the way to deal with the problem is to cut spending. Only 18% say raising taxes is the solution.

Hate to say we told you so, GOPers, but we were right about holding against tax increases.  Hold tight next week when you go back to the Capitol.

Comments

[David Jenkins]

I'm not ready to applaud anyone just yet. There are plenty more taxes that were raised in Illinois other than the individual income tax.

So they spared one of the most visible taxes, and allowed the difference to be made up in excise taxes that can likely kill job-creators in Illinois; and raise the cost of living on energy, alcohol, soda pop, real estate taxes, and just about everything else.

They need to actually curb the monster, and cut spending; and reduce the rampant size of Illinois government.

[Yvonne]

It's a place to start -- and one of the toughest positions to hold when you have demanding SEIU workers in your face and desperate mothers with disabled children on the phone.

It's easy to armchair quarterback. The GOP deserves a round of applause for holding tight thus far. "Thus far" is something.

[David Jenkins]

It's not tough at all to hold to something you believe in. And if you believe that government has grown well beyond its original mandate, and that the taxpayers need to have their taxes lowered; not held at an even pace - then it should be easy to hold the line on taxes.

Let's not reward mediocrity. We need reduced government, and reduced government spending.