Rep. Reggie Phillips recently spoke to voters during a packed property tax town hall meeting, where he told residents that huge tax increases are on the way unless critical cuts are made in the state’s 2017 budget.
Phillips, who joined the Crawford County Assessor’s office at the town hall meeting, touched on the issues of tax increases, the stopgap budget and funding contained in the budge, as well as pensions.
“If we don’t make cuts in January 2017, we are definitely going to have a huge tax increase next year; if we don’t have some fundamental changes in Illinois, there just isn’t going to be enough tax revenue,” Phillips told voters in attendance at the town hall. “I am willing to say we are going to have to have new revenue, but what we (Republicans in the state legislature) are simply asking for is that you tie an agenda to that for some economic reforms. Simple reforms that will drive more business and people and stop the out migration of business in Illinois.”
During his speech, Phillips pointed out to residents that there will be an uphill fight regarding the budget when the legislature convenes in November. He told the crowd that they need to vote in as many Republicans as possible in order to create change, especially when it comes to term limits.
“If we don’t gain some seats and put a stop against their outlandish spending, then we are in trouble,” Phillips said. “The governor has pledged to put a budget together that is somewhat balanced. Madigan has pledged to fight bringing in another budget. He wants to continue what we just did for the next two years. He is the one that declares what bills we vote on and what comes to the floor. This is how topsy turvy the state of Illinois has become.”
Phillips also stressed the need to fix the pension crisis, which he considers to be the biggest issue facing the state right now. He said one key to fixing the problem is to change the state constitution and allow lawmakers to change the pensions.
“Without changing the pension obligation, we are just spinning our wheels,” Phillips said. “The tier-one people who are already retiring or close to retiring, we have to be very careful about touching those, but anything new we need to change. We can’t spend 40 billion and take in 32 billion. It’s not a question of Republican or Democrat -- it’s a question of common sense.”
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