Cole, Voltair suggest different ways to fix budget mess
Republican legislative candidate Sandy Cole and Democrat Rich Voltair don't agree on many issues and how best to fix the state's financial problems isn't one of them.
Cole, of Grayslake, is the incumbent in the 62nd House District, which is in central Lake County. Voltair, of Round Lake Beach, is challenging her for the post.
They spoke about the state's budget problems and other matters in questionnaires for the Daily Herald.
The answers that follow have been edited only for spelling, grammar and style.
Q. What should be done to solve the state's budget crisis? What specific measures should be cut, and for how much in savings? Would you support or oppose an income tax increase or a state sales tax increase? Lay out a specific plan of what needs to be done.
COLE: I do not support raising the income tax rate. The governor's request that the legislators take a leap of faith by joining him in raising income taxes during the second greatest recession in Illinois history during 11-percent unemployment, during increased and unchecked state spending simply doesn't pass the straight-face test.
Rampant state spending, expansion of Medicaid, public aid and program expansion without funding sources and not-to-be-forgotten pension looting have created the enormous debt Illinois now faces. To accept the "raise taxes" solution would be to ignore the long-term solutions such as zero-based budgeting, sunshine commissions to review program effectiveness, needed cuts in state spending, Medicaid reform and school reform.
Small, family-owned businesses are struggling to keep afloat during this national recession. Families are being responsible by living within their means. Illinois can no longer afford to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.
(We can) cut spending by applying: managed care for Medicaid (and) zero-based budgeting. Spending cannot exceed revenues. (Put a) moratorium on new and expanded programs (and make a) serious commitment to reduce fraud, including All-Kids. Reduce department-by-department spending by 5 percent to 10 percent. Eliminate the lieutenant governor's office and combine the treasurer and comptroller. That's a start.
VOLTAIR: In order to meet its current and future obligations, the state will need to find additional revenues. I support property reforms that would lower property taxes for suburban homeowners. However, property tax relief would require that the state find alternative revenue sources to make up the difference.
I would support a graduated income tax that would tax higher income earners at a higher rate. I would support re-establishing/increasing estate taxes on wealthy individuals. I would also support an expansion of casinos and video gaming in the state. I would not support a sales tax increase or a tax on services.