Republican Doug Jameson: 'People already believe they're taxed too much.'
Republican Doug Jameson: 'People already believe they're taxed too much.'
Doug Jameson is convinced lawmakers in Springfield are in desperate need of a refresher course about the nature of their calling.
“Politicians need to be reminded the aim needs to be having government work for the people, not the people working for government,” Jameson told Metro East Sun. “Quite frankly, Springfield has become too self-serving, especially in the way we’re always demanding more and more from our taxpayers.”
Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) warns that many spending programs and revenue-generating ideas put forth by Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker could put state taxpayers on the hook for even more money by swelling the deficit and requiring tax increases of up to $18 billion.
For a home with an income of roughly $80,000 that could add up to an extra $3,500 in annual taxes and a spike in the current income tax rate of up to 9.95 percent. In addition, the state could experience the loss of up to 132,000 jobs and up to $31.3 billion in economic activity.
“People already believe they’re taxed too much,” said Jameson, running against Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th House District. “I recently attended a tax revolt rally where thousands of people were there, and not one of them wanted to talk about feeling under-taxed.”
As bad as things are, the worse may be yet to come, Jameson added.
“A leadership team of Pritzker and [House Speaker Mike] Madigan would be an unbridled path to every tax in this state rising even more,” he said. “It would be open season, and the greatest impact will be the escalation of out-migration and the further erosion of our overall tax base.”
At least part of Pritzker’s plan centers on enacting a progressive tax that he has offered few details on, Jameson said.
“My campaign has been about lowering taxes and no increases, especially without systematic reforms,” Jameson said. “We already have one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, but there’s no way you can convince me that the service we get in return is anywhere near the best.”
The 113th House District includes Madison and St. Clair counties.
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