SE Illinois News

State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) charges Democrats have become a victim of their own power as a result of their long-time rule in Springfield.

“It’s gotten to the point where they’re blinded by their power,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “They’ve already made it easy for them to go after citizens and passing Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker’s progressive tax amendment will only make it easier for them to tax at their leisure.”

A new report by the Tax Foundation details how the state’s competitive position would dramatically fall if the progressive tax proposal Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been pushing since his days as a candidate becomes law. If the measure passes, researchers report Illinois’ overall ranking would tumble all the way down to 47th in the U.S. for business competitiveness, ahead of only New Jersey and California.

“Taxes will go up drastically and there will be a lot more of them,” Bailey added. “The good thing is people are paying more attention because they know this tax will ultimately mean another levy on the middle class, because that’s where the money for this resides. When I talk to people on the campaign trail, all they want to know is where you stand on the progressive tax."

As Election Days draws closer, Bailey said he’s starting to feel renewed hope that the measure will fail short of garnering the 60% support on the issue or a majority from those who vote in the election overall needed for passage.

“Voters that are doing their homework on his proposal are exhibiting their disapproval,” he said. “Democrats just don’t seem to care about doing anything right. Everything is a mess because the wrong motivations are in play. The powers that be just want to grow government and spending with no sense of accountability at all.”