Metro East Sun

Republican House candidate Doug Jameson sees lawmakers in Springfield are mimicking the “chicken-or-the-egg” dilemma with taxes and government spending, and it reaffirms his desire to change the culture.

“It’s like we keep on singing the same old song about increasing taxes because the cost of government is too high, but we never do anything about the cost of government,” he told the Metro East Sun. “In the end, we just keep on raising taxes and driving more people out of the state. It’s more of what J.B. Pritzker wants as governor with his progressive tax, idea and the guy I’m lined up against is right there at his side.”

Jameson, running against incumbent Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District, sees Illinois’ slowed job growth as a byproduct of its overly burdensome tax system.

Since instituting last year’s record-setting 32 percent permanent income tax hike, which included sharply raising both personal and corporate income taxes, the state has seen jobs growth dip by 34 percent. That decrease comes on the heels of a 1.11 percent growth since the end of the Great Recession in 2009.

As recently as last year, the state ranked 42nd in the nation in job growth, lagging behind all other neighboring states, which is one reason Chief Executive magazine rated the state No. 48 in the nation to do business in.

“The state isn’t better off in any way,” Jameson said. “We still don’t have a balanced budget, and we’ve taken money from people’s checks that could have stimulated the economy to create this even bigger mess.”

Jameson believes the only relief local taxpayers have felt in recent times has come courtesy of changes made at the federal level and they now have less to show for all their tax dollars than ever before. This is at a time when Illinois has more tax revenue than ever.

“If anything, people are complaining more about diminished services than ever,” he said. “Things like how long it takes to process applications and professional licenses. On top of that, things like the rising cost of tuition is driving young people away along with the businesses that are being attracted to other states over things like lower workmen’s compensation.”

Jameson said this fall’s election carries greater significance because of what it could bring.

"Right now, we have an over-burdensome state government and we need to recover nine seats in the House to be able to oust (House Speaker Mike) Madigan from power and gain a majority,” he said. “To elect a new speaker means a chance for real change. I’m up against one of Madigan’s biggest enablers and if I can take him down it would be another watershed moment.”