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Tuesday, March 21, 2023
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Rep. Fortner explains his vote in support of 32% tax hike budget as “reasonable”

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Fortner On Sb 2059

SPRINGFIELD – Republican House member Mike Fortner of West Chicago was one of the 15 Republicans that voted to hike income taxes by 32% Sunday. If you're wondering how a member of a party that says it seeks smaller government and policies that encourage business growth in the state, the rep serving his fifth term in office provides an extended, wordy rationale.

Fortner says he believes Madigan's budget is close to what he had previously determined to be "reasonable."

Ironically, Governor Rauner says he will veto the measure because the budget does not contain the same reforms Fortner says it includes. Fortner states:

The state finances have been at an impasse for over two years. During that time I have said that I am looking for 3 R's to get beyond the impasse: Reductions, Revenue, and Reforms. I believe we are at the point where we need to honestly consider what is before us. As I look at the bills that we have passed and those before us, I think those standards have been met and I support going forward.

Due to court orders we are spending at a rate set by our 2015 appropriations. This cost us nearly $39 billion last year. We only took in about $32 billion in revenue, and that $7 billion difference has resulted in a backlog of bills that now stand at $15 billion. The only solutions are to reduce spending, raise revenue, or craft a combination of both.

Back in April I analyzed the last bipartisan negotiated budget, which was passed 5 years ago. That budget was balanced based on $33.7 billion in both revenues and spending. I used that budget to analyze what we might be spending had we held firm to the basic parameters that were agreed upon back then. I adjusted those budget numbers for mandated debt and the cost of inflation. I found that a current budget of $36.3 billion would result. Clearly $36.3 billion in expenses cannot be supported with $32 billion in revenue. A realistic baseline budget needs over $4 billion in new revenue to be balanced.

On Friday we were presented with a budget amendment that would spend $36.5 billion over the next fiscal year. That is clearly a reduction from our current level of spending and is very close to what I calculated would be a reasonable budget a few months ago.

That leaves revenue. There are any number of taxes that could be used to close the gap. Bipartisan negotiations in the Senate this spring focused on the income tax as the primary revenue source that should be used. That choice may not be my preference, but it does meet the revenue needed to match the spending reductions in the budget.

When we voted on the budget amendment, we didn't vote on the full bill. Some would say you shouldn't vote on new taxes without having a spending plan in place. I note that the Illinois Constitution requires us to only approve spending that can be supported by the expected revenue. The intellectually honest vote is to set the amount of revenue, then approve spending to that level. We cast that vote today.

A balanced budget isn't the only thing we need. We also need reforms to make Illinois more competitive and bring us sound governance. We have approved significant reforms to local government, procurement, and pensions. We can and should do more, but the reforms we have passed should not be understated. We need to continue with other items that have been negotiated, including more substantial changes to property taxes and workers compensation. While important those next steps should not diminish the reforms we have passed.

Posted on his House website.. 

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15 COMMENTS

  1. Tough call: many feel any reoublican who voted for the budget with the huge tax increase is now considered a democrat.
    Illinois needs to eliminate the pension system, starting with all new employees in social security or private IRA. The currrent system is a ponzi scheme, all a scam.

  2. I’m sorry, but lying liars lie. These so-called representatives wouldn’t know HOW to reduce spending. What they call reductions are only keeping the same amount of spending levels. Not cutting a percentage OFF the spending. I’m sick and disgusted with them all.

  3. Does he know that he allowed a DEMOCRAT to vote against the budget? The Democrats are so “responsible” that for every Republican yes vote Democrats voted NOOOO. What a dummy. Played.
    Please, somebody PRIMARY this guy.

  4. Done is Fortner.
    1. “…the 15 Republicans that voted to hike income taxes by 32% Sunday. If you’re wondering how a member of a party that says it seeks smaller government and policies that encourage business growth in the state, the rep serving his fifth term in office provides an extended, wordy rationale,”
    2. “…..Fortner says he believes Madigan’s budget is close to what he had previously determined to be “reasonable.”
    3. “I have said that I am looking for 3 R’s to get beyond the impasse: Reductions, Revenue, and Reforms. I believe we are at the point where we need to honestly consider what is before us. As I look at the bills that we have passed and those before us, I think those standards have been met and I support going forward.”
    Mike, I have 3 R’s for you too…Retarded, RINO and Resign .

  5. Rep Fortner is the one who tried to create a rain tax on every property in DuPage County including schools, churches, and parks. He isn’t for eliminating taxes and regulations instead for creating whole new categories of taxes and the bureaucracies that go along with it. He didn’t just vote for a rain tax, the storm water utility bill was his bill. Please don’t take my word about this IR should post his bill on this website so everyone can understand the mindset of this Republican Rep. How many government supported pensions is he inline for? Is it true that the number is three?