Pat Quinn proves Blago was telling the truth - REDUX Indictment Edition

Last week I wrote about Pat Quinn's new tax policy. If you read it last week, you may skim ahead.
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written March 27, 2009

So former Lt. Gov. (and sitting gov) Pat Quinn has had the unsavory pleasure of proving the biggest liar in modern IL politics was telling the truth. At least about Pat Quinn raising taxes.

As some of you might recall, during the multi week scandal that followed the election and the filling of Obama's vacant senate seat, Rod Blagojevich, scandal embroiled governor at the time, suggested that Pat Quinn was trying to get rid of Blago, and when he did, Quinn would raise taxes. We all shook our heads and said, "Oh crazy Blago, stop spinning your web of lies"

But in fact, not 6 weeks after taking over the position of IL governor, Pat Quinn is proposing the first income tax increase in 20 years, and it's a doosy! A 50% increase, from 3%-4.5%. Additionally hopes to levy new gas taxes and raise drivers fees.

Now we must remember that this is on the back of a sales tax increase to pay for a corrupt public transit system, taking our sales tax to 10.25%, one of the highest in the nation. And it's one percent higher in downtown Chicago (11.25%!!!) Add to that the city's new parking policy, which included leasing city parking meters to private companies. These companies jacked up meter fees, and have their own staff to write tickets to violators, yes, you can get a ticket from a corporate schill now. And with only two unpaid tickets allowed before booting, folks are getting backed against a wall in the land of Lincoln. Already meters are being vandalized and drivers are refusing to use the meters. But if Quinn sees his tax increases thru (oh yeah don't forget an additional $1-2 pack cig tax increase and we're already paying $8.75 now!) you may just see riots in the streets.

And the worst of it all will be that when Roddy warned us that Pat Quinn was gonna raise taxes extensively...Roddy was telling the truth. Who woulda thunk it? :-(



Here's the article from the Chicago Sun Times

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-quinn-tax-hike-13mar13,0,7352846.story

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And we're back to today. Now if you have a tv, you probably know that as of April 2nd, Rod Blagojevich was finally indicted. Just in time.

I mean just in time to distract from Pat Quinn's tax odyssey.

After posting last week's note, I read a little more about Pat Quinn, and his early history is bordering on true irony.

From the Chicago Tribune...

"Quinn wants to apply the state's sales tax on soft drinks to the coffee and sweetened tea products in grocery stores, adding a quarter for the state treasury for every $5 six-pack of sweet green tea.

While his proposal for a 50 percent increase in the income tax got the headlines, the tea and coffee tax is among a pocketful of nickel-and-dime tax increases the governor is seeking in a comprehensive effort to overcome the state's looming $11.5 billion budget deficit. He also favors higher fees for driver's licenses, license plates, hunting and fishing licenses, cigarettes, tickets to the State Fair and even adding the state's sales tax to some shampoo and personal hygiene products....

But there is a certain irony to Quinn's push to tack the state sales tax on sweetened tea—one that brings his political career from political outsider to insider full circle.

Quinn's birthday is the same as the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Three decades ago, he railed at a legislative pay raise by encouraging voters to send used tea bags to the governor's office. At the time, he told Illinois Issues magazine the stunt, which helped launch his career as a political activist, "was a perfect way to get citizens interested in government again and feel they could make a difference." (end excerpt) (read full article here)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-fees-taxes-up-bd22mar22,0,5628239.story


That's right, folks, you read correctly. Pat Quinn, born on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, previously advised voters to send used tea bags to the Governor's office to protest budget policy. And yes, now that he's governor he proposes the largest tax increase in 20 years. And yes one of those taxes is ACTUALLY on tea. People, you can't write this stuff.

I'm packin' up my old Tea Bags now.

Now let the Blago courtroom antics begin. But I won't let you get distracted. :)