The current deficit crisis is one factor that motivated Republican Tonya Hildenbrand of Belleville to seek the seat being vacated by Sen. James Clayborne (D-Belleville) in the 57th District.
“I’ve seen politicians financially run this state into the ground,” she recently told the Metro East Sun. “In the last 10 years, I’ve personally seen my property taxes almost triple and my state income taxes increase by 32 percent. ... Have we seen an enhancement of state and local services to correspond to the increased taxes? No, we have not.”
Hildenbrand, who earned degrees in business administration and law, has developed a strategy she claims will replace political hot air with actionable steps that will work.
Her plan, which she submitted to the Metro East Sun, relies on tax cuts to increase the amount of money the state takes in.
“I created a multiprong strategy to deal with Illinois’ spending problem,” she explained, basing it on ideas she learned as a college economics tutor.
Underpinning her plan is the idea that high taxes cause people to move away, which in turn makes tax hikes necessary to make up for the eroded tax base.
“Every 4.6 minutes, another Illinois resident is so frustrated, they are moving out to escape taxes,” she said.
Going forward, Hildenbrand, who will face Democrat Christopher Belt of Cahokia in the fall, advised voters to be wise when they hear politicians brag about a balanced budget.
“A balanced budget helps, but we need to start paying off the debt,” she said. “Current and past politicians have treated taxpayers like ATMs, and we are sick and tired of it.”
The 57th District covers parts of Madison and St. Claire counties.
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