MOLINE, Illinois -
Just seven weeks into his first term as Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn has a difficult message to deliver. He wants to raise taxes not only on our income, but also many of the things we use every day.
In sharp contrast to his predecessor, Governor Pat Quinn was welcomed warmly by lawmakers in Springfield. But that was before he gave the stern address about reform, responsibility, and recovery.
He said, "Together we will plug this gaping budget deficit of 11and half billion dollars."
He says revenues are down, but lawmakers were also using a credit card. And that spending needs to be reigned in. He wants $1.3 billion in cuts and he plans to raise personal income taxes from 3 percent to 4 and a half percent.
But he says he doesn't want to place a burden on working families, "There is something wrong when our state gives more tax breaks to those who raise thoroughbred horses then it gives to parents raising children."
His proposed tax reform is to triple the personal tax exemption from $2,000 per person to $6,000 per person. But his speech was not just about cuts. He wants to create thousands of jobs by fixing the state's aging roads and bridges by spending $26 billion.
"If you're able bodied and you're breathing we want you working in Illinois."
This will be funded by increasing your fee for a driver's license by ten dollars and license plate by 20 dollars.
"This is a time for shared sacrifice."
And he urged lawmakers to put politics aside.
"Pass this budget, let's begin a new era of reform, responsibility and recovery. "It's time to make the will of the people the law of the land so help us God."
And if Quinn gets what he has proposed you won't pay more at the pump (no gas tax increase), but you will if you go inside the convenience store and buy cigarettes. The 98 cent per pack tax will go up to a dollar.
And to help families with back to school shopping he also proposed a sales tax holiday in August for 10 days letting parents buy school supplies and clothes without a sales tax.
Quinn has a tough sales job for lawmakers. Many say they're open to tax increases but by how much is still negotiable.
Here's a look at major budget ideas being considered by Gov. Pat Quinn, as described by Quinn, lawmakers and a budget outline obtained by The Associated Press:
-An increase in the 3 percent personal income tax rate. The new rate would be 4.5 percent, generating $2.8 billion.
-Tripling the personal exemption, shielding up to $6,000 in income from being taxed. That means a family of four with an income of $60,900 would pay less in taxes next year.
-A hike in the corporate income tax from 4.8 percent to 7.2 percent, bringing in $350 million more.
-Keep $287 million from the higher taxes that would normally go to local government.
-Increase the $79 fee for license plates by $20, generating $180 million.
In sharp contrast to his predecessor, Governor Pat Quinn was welcomed warmly by lawmakers in Springfield. But that was before he gave the stern address about reform, responsibility, and recovery.
He said, "Together we will plug this gaping budget deficit of 11and half billion dollars."
He says revenues are down, but lawmakers were also using a credit card. And that spending needs to be reigned in. He wants $1.3 billion in cuts and he plans to raise personal income taxes from 3 percent to 4 and a half percent.
But he says he doesn't want to place a burden on working families, "There is something wrong when our state gives more tax breaks to those who raise thoroughbred horses then it gives to parents raising children."
His proposed tax reform is to triple the personal tax exemption from $2,000 per person to $6,000 per person. But his speech was not just about cuts. He wants to create thousands of jobs by fixing the state's aging roads and bridges by spending $26 billion.
"If you're able bodied and you're breathing we want you working in Illinois."
This will be funded by increasing your fee for a driver's license by ten dollars and license plate by 20 dollars.
"This is a time for shared sacrifice."
And he urged lawmakers to put politics aside.
"Pass this budget, let's begin a new era of reform, responsibility and recovery. "It's time to make the will of the people the law of the land so help us God."
And if Quinn gets what he has proposed you won't pay more at the pump (no gas tax increase), but you will if you go inside the convenience store and buy cigarettes. The 98 cent per pack tax will go up to a dollar.
And to help families with back to school shopping he also proposed a sales tax holiday in August for 10 days letting parents buy school supplies and clothes without a sales tax.
Quinn has a tough sales job for lawmakers. Many say they're open to tax increases but by how much is still negotiable.
Here's a look at major budget ideas being considered by Gov. Pat Quinn, as described by Quinn, lawmakers and a budget outline obtained by The Associated Press:
-An increase in the 3 percent personal income tax rate. The new rate would be 4.5 percent, generating $2.8 billion.
-Tripling the personal exemption, shielding up to $6,000 in income from being taxed. That means a family of four with an income of $60,900 would pay less in taxes next year.
-A hike in the corporate income tax from 4.8 percent to 7.2 percent, bringing in $350 million more.
-Keep $287 million from the higher taxes that would normally go to local government.
-Increase the $79 fee for license plates by $20, generating $180 million.
