SE Illinois News

Republican state House candidate David Friess rages at the thought of taxpayers being forced to pay for J.B. Pritzker’s reckless nature when it comes to taxes.

“The governor's threat of a 20% tax hike does not change my position on the progressive tax proposal if it is not passed into law,” Friess told the SE Illinois News. “In fact, I believe the threat is evidence that the governor and the state legislature will continue to raise taxes on the middle class because they refuse to get a handle on spending.”

With the progressive tax proposal Pritzker has been selling since his days as a candidate far from a sure thing when it appears on the Nov. 3 ballot as a referendum question, Democrat Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton recently warned voters if Pritzker’s proposal fails to get the support it needs for passage on Nov.3, taxpayers could soon face a 20% state income tax hike to cover any looming budget shortfall. Such a steep rise would send rates spiraling to an all-time personal high state income tax rate for residents of 5.94%.

Since then, the governor has essentially co-signed Stratton’s threat, further warning taxpayers it’s either the progressive tax or a 15% cut in government services, which could mean cuts in funding for education and public safety and a state property tax increase.

Now running against incumbent state Rep. Nathan Reitz (D-Steeleville) in the 116th District, Friess has already grown tired of all the threats.

“In my opinion, the governor's style of governance is absolutely shameless,” he said. “It is unfortunate that the governor and Democrats don't have the courage to have an honest debate about making the difficult decisions that need to be made to truly balance the budget.”

Friess said he fears what it could mean for Illinois if the governor where to get his way on either front.

“If the governor and the Democrats forced through a 20% tax increase, there would be a mass exodus out of Illinois,” he said. “Anyone with the financial means to relocate to a neighboring state that is fiscally responsible with a lower tax rate will relocate immediately.”

Friess argues there is a much better way.

“To be economically competitive and to attract business, lawmakers in Springfield need to seriously scrutinize the budget and look at ways to cut spending and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse,” he said.