Springfield, IL – Upon the completion of Governor Quinn’s first annual budget address, State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) called Governor Quinn’s budget plan lacking in fiscal constraint and punishing to the middle-class working families and state employees of Illinois. Poe cites the governor’s plan to increase taxes on working families and their employers by 50%, along with fee increases to close a massive budget shortfall, as their chief criticisms.

“First, we must do right by the citizens of Illinois,” said Poe. “If the families of Illinois are being forced to live within their means, so should state government. Why in the world would we want to increase taxes on working families and employers before we make sure that current programs are necessary and in working order. We need to partner with business leaders to analyze this budget and eliminate wasteful spending before we ever consider any type of tax or fee increases.”

Governor Quinn is calling for $7 billion in income tax rate increases, loophole closings and tobacco tax increases with his proposed budget. The $7 billion in income tax rate increases breaks down to $550 per person, $1,100 per couple or $2,200 for a family of 4. This figure does not take into account the motor fuel increase currently requested by other Democrats.

Illinois is eligible to receive around $7 billion in federal stimulus funding. Poe and Brauer believe the Illinois budget can be brought under control by utilizing federal stimulus dollars wisely, instituting a moratorium on new spending, making cuts where feasible, sell state surplus property and adopt pension and other needed reforms.

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