In an email sent to State Senators and Representatives, the URF made their position known on the tax increase being considered in the General Assembly. The letter read:
...The URF strongly opposes any tax or fee increases being considered by the legislature. The fact is, hard working Illinoisans have been taxed enough. They understand that the problem is not that the state doesn't take in enough revenue. The problem is that state government has used that revenue to wage a decades-long assault on them and their employers by growing a redundant and inefficient bureaucracy that systematically destroys jobs through over-regulation, taxation, and debt.
Now using tired words like "reform", "bi-partisan" and "consensus", some in the legislature are again attempting to trick the citizens into believing that one more tax increase - this time on cigarettes - will be the panacea.
But revenue from cigarette taxes has been shown to be a myth. Cigarette taxes don't change personal behavior or generate revenue. They do, however, change buying behavior as smokers cross state lines to purchase cigarettes, which results in less tax revenue and job loss here in Illinois.
So, we're troubled to hear that Republicans in the legislature may be willing to put their names on phony spending cuts and more tax increases. Not only would that betray the basic Republican principles of smaller government and lower taxes, it would corrupt the GOP brand in the eyes of the voters - just six months before the General Election.
The time has come for legislators to stop being the unwitting (or intentional) co-conspirators in the slow demise of our great state. The time has come for leadership and courage. For statesmen instead of politicians. For competence instead of compromise.
As November approaches, the URF will work to educate voters on how their elected officials voted on this issue. Given the mood right now, there seems little doubt they will retaliate at the ballot box.
