SE Illinois News

Republican state House candidate David Friess is committed to breaking the cycle in Springfield.

“I don't expect the fair tax proposed by the governor to make any more of a difference than any of the other taxes imposed,” Friess, now running against incumbent state Rep. Nathan Reitz (D-Steeleville) in the 116th District told the SE Illinois News. “Democrats, for whatever reason, can never live within their means and their answer to every problem is to just spend more money. I'll fight to keep your taxes low.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, Pritzker in particular is pulling out all the stops, having recently contributed $51.5 million to a ballot initiative committee launched to promote the progressive tax proposal he’s been pushing since his days as a candidate. Vote Yes to Fairness, a committee headed by the governor’s former deputy campaign manager, recently received the funds and is already at work trying to secure passage of a ballot measure that would convert the current flat tax to a progressive tax system.

In addition to being the only individual to contribute more than $250 to the cause, Pritzker’s latest gift comes after an earlier donation of at least $5 million.

“I think the Democrats' answer to everything is to always raise taxes because they lack the courage to make difficult decisions and cut unnecessary spending,” Friess added. “I'm going to Springfield to lower your taxes, defend your rights, and stand up to the Chicago Democrats destroying our state.”

Friess said there’s a simple explanation for Illinois being one of the highest-taxed states in the country at the same time the state remains one of the most indebted.

“I believe some in the state legislature are only concerned about getting re-elected and staying in power,” he said. “They know the citizens of Illinois are some of the highest-taxed in the nation, they are aware of the fact that state pensions are underfunded and they also know Illinois is bordering on junk-bond status. However, these corrupt politicians continually propose and support irresponsible spending to curry favor with voting blocs instead of doing what is right for Illinois as whole.”