Dig us out of mess before raising taxes

Contrary to Gov. Pat Quinn's assertions, the real "doomsday" will occur if the General Assembly does not make substantial spending cuts to the state's budget. Quinn has proposed increasing the income tax by 50 percent and burdening taxpayers with billions in other taxes and fees. Since the Democrats seized control of state government, the budget has grown a staggering 33 percent in six years - well exceeding a record low rate of inflation. When will spending cuts make an appearance on anyone's agenda?

It is unconscionable to ask for gigantic tax increases, without forcing state government to look at spending. Until the legislature passes real reform to clean up the cesspool of Springfield corruption, we should not take another dime of working families' money.

For several years now, as the minority party, Senate Republicans have been warning the majority party, the media and our constituents that the Democrat-enabled, out-of-control Medicaid expansions and the forestalling of our pension obligations and excessive taxes and fees on businesses, were driving our state to the edge of a fiscal cliff. We are in the crisis we are in, not because our government taxed too little, rather our government spent and borrowed too much.

And now in the name of unity our new governor wants us to significantly raise taxes on working families being pounded by a recession and the worst unemployment in 25 years.

It is time for the Democrat-controlled government to get out the shovel and start digging our way out of this mess by cutting government before asking for outrageously higher taxes.

Kirk W. Dillard

Illinois State Senator

(R-Naperville)