Rep. Schakowsky wants government to steal more from private sector

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TUA’s executive director, Jared Labell, was interviewed by Sam Krevlin of the Daily Northwestern last week to discuss Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s (D-IL) newly proposed legislation in Congress, the Fairness in Taxation Act.
Her bill would raise federal income tax rates to a range of 45 to 49 percent for income over $1 million. Everything the government has is stolen, regardless of the rate, and no matter who is the target of its theft.
Our 501(c)(4), Taxpayers United of America, was incorrectly identified as a conservative advocacy group. TUA is a nonpartisan taxpayer advocacy group.

One of those opposing the bill is Jared Labell, executive director of the conservative advocacy group Taxpayers United of America, who said taxing the rich will end up hurting the entire economy. The American public already feels overtaxed and has little trust in the government to use taxpayer dollars effectively, he said.

Labell said the government should focus on cutting its spending. The easiest way to encourage social mobility, Labell said, is to keep money in the pockets of Americans.

“At a time when the public is pretty upset with government leaders both at the federal and state level, the idea of taking more money from the private sector and giving it to the government is not going to go over very well,” he said.

Tobin on the Voice of Southern Illinois WJPF with Tom Miller

Taxpayers United of America’s president, Jim Tobin, spoke with WJPF news radio’s Tom Miller on the Morning Newswatch Thurs. Jan 26, 2017.
They discussed the Illinois state budget, the proposed multibillion-dollar income tax hike, government pensions, TUA’s history of tax-fighting, Governor Rauner’s time in office so far, and more!

Taxpayers United of America says Madigan likely won't step down, despite petition

Karen Kidd of the Madison-St. Clair Record interviewed Taxpayers United of America’s executive director, Jared Labell, about the chances of longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan stepping down as Speaker and TUA’s letter demanding he do so for the sake of Illinois’ taxpayers.


SPRINGFIELD – The number of signatures is growing on a petition urging Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to step down but Taxpayers United of America’s executive director says he’s very realistic about the chances Madigan will step down.
“While we certainly hope the unimaginable happens – that Speaker Madigan suddenly decides to relinquish power tomorrow – it’s doubtful,” Taxpayers United of America Executive Director Jared Labell said in an email. “History tells us that Speaker Madigan will continue to raise taxes, incur debt, and spend wildly until he leaves office, and the taxpayers of Illinois should see to it that this session in Springfield is his last.”
Signatures are being gathered largely online on a page at Taxpayers United of America’s website. Paper petitions and copies of the letter were sent to Taxpayers United of America members. Responses via email and :snail mail” are also welcome, Labell said.
“Taxpayers United of America has received thousands of signatures online, in the mail, phone calls, and support via social media,” Labell said.
He said the response is heartening, despite the slim likelihood at Madigan will respond to it.
“I’m encouraged by the response we’ve received so far and would certainly love for all Illinois residents to join us in demanding that Speaker Madigan step aside for the good of taxpayers and Illinois’ economy,” he said. “Taxpayers are pleading for property tax relief and are worried about possible income tax hikes, but they will remain unsure of their financial futures as long as career politicians like Speaker Madigan rule Springfield.”
The swearing in of the 100th General Assembly was scheduled for Jan. 11.
Madigan, the nation’s longest-serving state House speaker, has held that seat since 1983 except for a couple of years in the mid-1990s when Republicans controlled the House.
Calls for Madigan to not enter a fourth decade as House Speaker have been mounting.
The Chicago Tribune’s editorial board urged voters in the run-up before the General Election to “break up” with Madigan as House speaker.
“Madigan has become a liability for many Democrats on the Nov. 8 ballot, and not only in southern Illinois,” the Tribune said to voters on Oct. 21. “The dysfunction of state government, the enormous spending, the pension crisis, the chronically unbalanced budgets – the onus falls largely on the leader who’s been in Springfield for 46 years. Since 1971.”
Illinois voters, especially those outside of the greater Chicago area, did turn out for Republicans in the General Elections. As a result, the GOP gained four House seats in the legislature. Those results left Springfield House Democrats with a 67-51 majority, eroding the 71-47 super majority the party had before the General Election.
The higher number of Republicans in the State House might be sending its own message to the House Speaker, even if enough Democrats can’t be persuaded to join Republicans to vote against him.
Should all Republican House members vote against Madigan, which observers say seems likely, nine Democrats would have to break ranks, which seems unlikely. If that did happen, those 60 votes against Madigan would be enough keep Madigan from continuing on as House Speaker.
Before Christmas, the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board issued a list of Democrats who might be persuaded to vote against Madigan.
“What do you have to lose except two more years of dysfunction?” the newspaper’s Dec. 21 editorial said. “Remember, you don’t work for him. You work for voters. They didn’t send you to Springfield to be gutless. They sent you to do what’s best for Illinois, regardless of the consequences.”