State needs integrity, not more money

State needs integrity, not more money

As a taxpayer and DuPage County Board member who fights for fiscal responsibility, I say enough is enough when it comes to the state’s tax and spend policies.

I’ve had enough of Springfield continually reaching into taxpayers’ pockets to satisfy its insatiable appetite for overspending. Two years ago, Democratic lawmakers increased our state income tax from 3 to 5 percent. At the time, the goal of the “temporary” income tax increase was to stabilize the pension system and strengthen the economy. Despite the additional revenue of $25 billion, the state has a backlog of $8.8 billion in unpaid bills, $17 billion more in pension debt and a credit rating that has been downgraded five times.

Even though this tax will expire in January 2015, Democrats want to create another revenue source through a graduated rate income tax. While supporters say it’s a “progressive tax,” I refer to it as “everyone’s tax” because it will affect those earning more than $18,000 a year.

According to the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, the proposed graduated rate income tax schedule calls for a 2.25 percent tax increase on anyone who earns $60,000 a year. That’s an additional $1,300 a year that should be used to support families instead of the state’s bloated budget.

Springfield doesn’t need more money; what it needs is fiscal integrity to manage the state’s budget responsibly, just like we do for our families every day.

I urge you to learn the facts and demand our legislators vote against HJRCA2.

Tonia Khouri

Aurora

District 5

DuPage County Board member