McHenry Times

Illinois State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) attacked State House Democrats' tax policies in a recent Facebook post.

"Even after voters overwhelmingly rejected the governor’s 2020 plan to amend the state’s Constitution so he could raise taxes, Democrats remain steadfast in their efforts to try once again to raid our pocketbooks," Ugaste said.

In his Feb. 18 post, he attached a link to a Caucus Blog post written by the Illinois House Republicans, which took issue with the resurrection of a progressive tax plan that was roundly rejected by voters in 2022. This defeat came after the Pritzker Administration devoted much time and effort into selling the plan to residents across the state.

"One new plan for 2023 reintroduces the governor’s failed tax increase scheme," The Caucus Blog post said. "According to the Democratic senator promoting the progressive tax effort in a recent news story,  '…(R)evenue trajectories long-term don’t match our debt trajectories.' But what he doesn’t disclose is the skyward-bound debt trajectory was catapulted even higher this year when Democrats passed a 17% pay raise for lawmakers."  

The blog goes on to describe the two parties as being at polar opposites when it comes to spending and paints the Republicans' budget philosophy as more favorable to residents.

"In contrast, Republicans want to live within the state’s means by establishing a revenue estimate to which we gear spending and a balanced budget," the blog post said. "Additionally, we want the state to look at ways it can innovate to improve service delivery while at the same time cutting costs. What’s more, with controlled spending the state could even lower taxes and keep money in the pockets of hardworking Illinoisans, helping to balance their budgets as well."