Now, this isn't exactly news, but the results should be interesting:
CHICAGO, Nov 10 (Reuters) – Illinois Democratic lawmakers, facing the state's own version of the fiscal cliff, are expected to use their newly won veto-proof majority in the legislature to solve the state's impending financial crisis with permanently higher tax rates on personal income and corporations.
Illinois, like California, on Tuesday elected a Democratic supermajority. The outcome was thanks mainly to the handiwork of powerful state House Speaker Michael Madigan, who deftly drew new districts to favor Democrats following the 2010 U.S. Census.
Illinois, also like California, has one of the lowest debt ratings among the states.
Unexpectedly!
Now Illinois had raised tax rates before, but this was the result:
The estimated $7.5 billion raised by the 2011 tax increases was quickly gobbled up by the state's annual pension payments, according to Dan Long, executive director of the Illinois Legislature's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.
"The Democrats can install any agenda they want. They don't need any Republican votes. My recommendation to Republicans is let them go forward and see if it works," said John Tillman, chief executive of the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan public policy research group.
In the 2013 legislative sesion, Democrats will have 71 of the 118 House seats, a gain of eight seats, and 40 of the 59 Senate seats, a gain of six seats. This gives them a supermajority – three-fifths of the seats of both chambers – enabling them to pass any legislation by a veto-proof margin and making minority Republicans virtually irrelevant.
The veto override ability also diminishes the influence of Democratic Governor Pat Quinn and confirms Madigan as the most powerful politician in the state.
Starless on November 12, 2012 at 4:39 pm said:
I think is what they're calling "Let it burn" over at AoS.
Tregonsee on November 12, 2012 at 5:00 pm said:
Tennessee also elected a supermajority. It is Republican, and I expect that we will use it somewhat differently.
Meep on November 13, 2012 at 9:58 am said:
I agree, it will be interesting to compare and contrast results. Illinois has Chicago to burn. Tennessee doesn't have such a large city with lots of finance business to burn through.
Another interesting contrast – TN is right to work, and Illinois is closed shop:
http://www.nrtw.org/rtws.htm
jefferson101 on November 12, 2012 at 6:49 pm said:
You forget that Obama will bail Illinois out by Executive Order, if necessary. Do you really think that Crying John is going to stop him from doing it?
The folks in 10AC will just get their taxes upped by the Feds to save Illinois, and probably California. And the House RINO's will make disapproving noises and then go along to get along, as is their wont.
So we're all doomed.
Meep on November 13, 2012 at 9:59 am said:
Sorry, I don't recognize the 10AC reference.
jefferson101 on November 13, 2012 at 3:13 pm said:
Ten-A-C (Tennessee for lazy keybeaters.)
Chris W. on November 13, 2012 at 9:57 am said:
You can do eeet!