Illinois Manufacturers Overwhelmingly Oppose Gas Tax Increase
According to a survey of the 1,000 manufacturing members of the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA), 80% of Illinois manufacturers do not support the proposed gas tax which would raise the state's motor fuel tax from 34 cents to 85 cents in order to fund infrastructure investments.
"It's quite clear that our manufacturing industry in Illinois is already over-burdened with taxes, fees, and regulations. Adding additional taxes would only hurt the industry that is one of the largest economic drivers in our state," said Steve Rauschenberger, President of TMA. "Policymakers need to recognize that our manufacturers are competing with other states and countries for business, so by driving up their costs government is making our manufacturers less competitive in the global marketplace, costing our state economic development, jobs, and even government revenue."
115 manufacturers responded to the survey. Of those, only 16.5% of manufacturers said they support the motor fuel tax increase, while 80% opposed. Only 3.5% were undecided.
"If we don't start taking a fiscally-responsible path in Illinois, we're going to start seeing even more of our makers and doers leave this state," summarized Dennis LaComb, TMA's Vice President of Government Relations. "Not only will we see our current businesses find better opportunity elsewhere, but we'll also see new businesses continue to start or expand outside of Illinois when they should be doing so here to take advantage of our superior workforce and strategic advantages."
TMA surveys their members monthly on important issues facing the manufacturing community in Illinois. Past results and other information important to manufacturing can be found at TMANews.com.
About TMA: Founded in 1925, the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) represents and supports manufacturers in the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding counties in northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and southern Wisconsin. TMA has almost 1,000 members and represents over 32,000 employees and nearly 26M square feet of manufacturing in Illinois.