107 - 0
Posted on 05/11/2007 2:21:33 PM PDT by Toddsterpatriot
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Blagojevich suffered a resounding and stunning defeat Thursday when the Illinois House overwhelmingly rejected his proposed $7.6 billion business tax. Before the ink had dried on the 107-0 vote, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) signaled possible interest in launching a different tax-increase proposal.
Blagojevich crisscrossed the state and appeared in TV ads to promote his gross receipts tax, which was the linchpin of the record $60.1 billion budget he proposed for next year.
Yet, before the House vote -- which technically was on a non-binding resolution from Madigan to gauge support for the plan -- the governor issued a perplexing statement urging lawmakers to side against his tax.
A no-vote on Madigan's resolution, Blagojevich reasoned, would "send a clear message that this issue is too important for a rush to judgment on a non-binding resolution."
The governor insisted it is "premature" to end discussions over the tax, since the administration had not responded fully to questions lawmakers posed Wednesday.
But members of both parties saw the statement as an attempt to paper over a humiliating political defeat.
Raise income tax? Seven House members voted present; all were members of the House Legislative Black Caucus. The bloc's chairman, Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago), said: "Rather than facing that embarrassing defeat, I think they spun it to say that this is an ongoing debate and discussion. To their credit, I think it's the first smart move they've made in this whole debate." The Blagojevich tax targeted revenues raised by companies making more than $5 million annually. Funds raised by the tax were earmarked for schools, transportation, health care and pensions.
Madigan slammed the proposal as "regressive" and scheduled a Tuesday meeting of his 66 House members to discuss a "possible tax bill."
At least one member was asked by the speaker within the past week about raising the state income tax. But a Madigan spokesman said the speaker has not settled on a particular tax increase.
Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said her boss' tax remains alive despite not getting a single vote of support.
LOL!
WOW. talk about a spanking.
Yeah, but how much better would it be if we didn't have to put up with Blago, Turbin Durbin, and Barak the Magic Negro?
Only now if Kyoto was up for a vote, it might win, with idiots like McCain joining the democrats.
We're not out of the woods yet.
And don't forget "Cut and Run" Murtha's proposal to leave Iraq which was defeated 403-3.
LOLOL
with idiots like McCain joining the democrats.
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When did he join the democrats? I thought he has always been one.
You got that right.
“gross receipts tax” sounds like the collectivist’s Mecca Michigan Single Business Tax. Have Rod and Jenny Grantheft been text messaging each other?
Blago is a moron, pass it on.
107 - 0
"It's right around the corner."
"Should I put this on?"
"I will give you a dollar if you put it on and walk home."
I thought about it. Straight-up 25 cent profit. The only question is, would Blago have taxed me on the quarter or the full buck?
The same percentage as votes were for Bill Clinton on a number of cases before the Supreme Court. i.e. a total slapdown.
I sure hope that’s the water soluble kind.
Can you imagine if it was a Sharpie? LOL
If it is, kid’s gonna have an interesting preschool! LOL!
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