GOP GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFULS MUST REASSURE ILLINOIS VOTERS ON TAXES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Greg Blankenship | 217.544.4759 | gkblankenship@all4growth.org

9 out of 10 Republican voters want an anti-tax candidate; but only 5 of 10 believe candidate promises against Higher Taxes

(Springfield, Ill.) The Illinois Alliance for Growth today called on Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidates to reassure Illinoisans that they will hold the line against taxes and overcome their credibility gap with voters on the tax issue.

Polling conducted on December 2nd through December 8th on behalf of The Chicago Tribune by the Market Shares Corporation found that 89% of registered Republican voters reported that opposition to tax increases were a critical issue to them.  That same poll ominously reported that less than half (45%) of Republican voters believed that their candidates will keep their promise to oppose higher taxes.

Last week, news reports reinforced that voter mistrust when two leading GOP contenders (both political veterans with 20 plus years in politics) waffled on the tax issue and opened the door to tax increases.  Both claimed that they were against taxes yet both said tax hikes were on the table.  Both have refused to make their commitment against tax increases in writing; yet both State Sen. Kirk Dillard (Westmont) and former Attorney General Jim Ryan (Elmhurst) want voters to believe that they oppose higher taxes.

“When 9 out of 10 of your voters say to hold the line on taxes, then you hold the line on taxes,” said Illinois Alliance for Growth President Greg Blankenship.  “And when half of your own party doesn’t believe you, then you need to step up and reassure them.  Restoring trust on taxes and jobs are paramount.”

Three gubernatorial contenders, State Sen. Bill Brady (Bloomington), Dan Proft (Chicago) and Bob Schillerstrom (Naperville), have signed the Americans for Tax Reform “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” a solemn vow to constituents that they will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes as long as they hold the Office of Illinois Governor. More than 1,100 state officeholders from representatives to governors have signed the Americans for Tax Reform “Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”

“We’ve at least three candidates who get it and some who are currently behind the curve” said Blankenship.  “If we’re going to create a stable, healthy business climate then the credibility gap on taxes must be overcome.  The reforms exist to fix Illinois’ state fisc. and economy, but without holding the line on taxes no incentives exist to implement those reforms.  We want to work with everyone to get them on board.”

The Illinois Alliance for Growth is a non-profit, non-partisan taxpayer protection group dedicated to economic growth and limited government.  You can find out more about the Illinois Alliance for Growth at www.all4growth.org.

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