Lake County Gazette

Republican state House candidate Dan Yost fails to see the logic in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive tax plan.

“Those supporting the tax hike amendment know the math doesn’t add up,” he said. “And what will that lead to? More middle-class tax hikes.”

Even as the governor continues to sell the plan he has been pushing since his days on the campaign trial as one that will only mean higher tax rates for the state’s most affluent residents, Yost is hardly buying it.  

Now running against incumbent state Rep. Joyce Mason (D-Gurnee) in the 61st District, he argues you can already see the handwriting on the wall. The tax the governor has poured more than $56 million of his own money into seeing approved is faltering in polls. Democrat Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton recently warned voters if Pritzker’s proposal fails to get the support it needs for passage on Nov.3, taxpayers could soon face a 20% state income tax hike to cover any looming budget shortfall. Such a steep rise would send rates spiraling to an all-time personal high state income tax rate for residents of 5.94%.

Since then, the governor has essentially co-signed Stratton’s threat, further warning taxpayers it’s either the progressive tax or a 15% cut in government services, which could mean cuts in funding for education and public safety and a state property tax increase.

“Now they’re threatening us with another tax hike,” Yost added. “Enough is enough. We need new leadership in Springfield that is willing to stand up to Pritzker and Madigan and put our families first.”

Yost long ago accused the governor of engaging in false advertisement in promoting the proposed  tax plan.

“I really believe that the tax will not accomplish anything they say it will,” he told the Lake County Gazette. “The only thing this tax will do is make it harder on working families, retirees and small business. This tax is a recipe for disaster. Why not make spending cuts first to see just how much of a tax hike we really need, if you believe we do?”