Kent Gaffney Votes for Lower Spending as Strategy for Repealing 67% Income Tax Hike

A press release from State Rep. Kent Gaffney, who is being challenged in the GOP primary by Dave McSweeney and Danielle Rowe:

Gaffney Votes Against Higher State Revenue Estimate

“We should not assume the State will have more money to spend next year.”

Springfield, IL – On Thursday, State Representative Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington) voted against the $33.7 billion state revenue estimate for Fiscal Year 2013. Gaffney indicated that the new revenue estimate is $500 million more than the current fiscal year.

Kent Gaffney

“We should not assume the State will have more money to spend next year,” Gaffney said.

“The only way we can repeal the Democrats’ tax increase is to reduce spending. I do not trust the Democrat-controlled General Assembly to cut spending, especially if they say we have more revenue to spend.”

Representative Gaffney voted against House Joint Resolution 68, which sets the State’s revenue estimate for Fiscal Year 2013 at $33.7 billion, which is $500 million more than Fiscal Year 2012. Gaffney broke with the House leadership and was one of only two Republicans to vote against HJR 68 in the House Revenue Committee.

“I am disappointed that the House approved a higher revenue estimate today, because that estimate will be used by the Democrats to increase spending. I want to cut government spending and repeal the Democrats’ tax increase. Those who choose to spend more money cannot be serious about repealing the tax increase or even letting it sunset as scheduled in 2015. We have to cut spending now.”

House Joint Resolution 68 passed the House Revenue Committee Thursday morning on a vote of 7-2 and later passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 95-11-3. Representative Gaffney voted against HJR 68 both in committee and on the House floor.


Comments

Kent Gaffney Votes for Lower Spending as Strategy for Repealing 67% Income Tax Hike — 2 Comments

  1. As long as there is a FICA 2 point reduction in employee contributions, why would one want to take away much needed revenue from the state?

    After all Illinoisans did not see a change in their take-home as a result of the state income tax increase!

  2. Truth- you logic is completely lacking.

    The CPI is showing 3.1% and real inflation (not government manipuplated) is probably 8%.

    While I appreciate the glory of the offset that you see in your simple mind, the facts are that everyone in Illinois is taking a hit from increased taxes everywhere and the reality is that we are quickly reaching a breaking point.

    Instead of taxing the easy way out (although far from the way out- I’d suggest you read the report by the Illinois Civic Federations dated 1.30.2012) the Governor and the Democrats in the legislature ought to tackle the tough issues that are benefiting a small number of individuals while crushing the rest of us.

    Kudos to Rep Gaffney for voting against the revenue estimate.

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