Contributed photo
Contributed photo
State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville) is one of the latest additions to the Illinois Republican Party's new website, www.BossMadigan.com.
The website spotlights links between Democratic legislators and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).
Hoffman, himself a longtime member of the House, voted 11 times for Madigan for House speaker. In addition, Hoffman voted in favor of the temporary tax hike implemented in 2011. The Taxpayer Accountability and Budget Stabilization Act raised individual income taxes to 5 percent from 3 percent, and corporate income taxes to 7 percent from 4.8 percent. The legislation was pushed through by a lame-duck legislature in January 2011, hours before the new Assembly was sworn into office.
Hoffman also voted for the $7 billion out-of-balance budget in May, which failed in the Senate. Despite the Illinois Constitution's requirement of a balanced budget, the state has not passed a balanced budget since 2001. The current "stopgap" budget is set to expire on Dec. 31, leaving the state without a budget again.
The GOP has said that as long as the Illinois House remains under control of Madigan, the state will continue on its downward trajectory. Madigan refused to negotiate any reforms that could allow lawmakers to balance the state budget or make the state more business-friendly.
The website seeks to inform voters and challenges Hoffman and other lawmakers to reject Madigan for House speaker when the legislature reconvenes in January.
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