Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Deep deficit demands permanent tax courage

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Deep deficit demands permanent tax courage
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
May 8, 2009
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1564187,CST-EDT-edit08a.article


It's trial balloon season in Springfield. The latest came Wednesday, when Senate President John Cullerton floated the idea of a temporary income tax increase as an alternative to Gov. Quinn's proposal to permanently raise the income tax from 3 percent to 4.5 percent.

On Thursday, Cullerton's spokesman said the suggestion was meant to show his openness to new ideas as budget negotiations get under way.

We're all for new ideas. But a temporary income tax increase isn't one of them. This page continues to believe a permanent income tax boost is the best way to deal with the state's $11.6 billion budget deficit, even if it's deeply unpopular.

Quinn gets credit for proposing such an increase. He also gets credit for sticking by it when a more politically palatable idea comes along.

When asked about a possible temporary increase, Quinn told the Sun-Times, "I really think we have to solve our problems. I don't think it's prudent to focus on the short term."

Short-term thinking is largely to blame for the state's current mess.

Real leadership means thinking beyond today, and beyond next year's election.

Cullerton says the votes aren't there for a permanent tax increase. A temporary increase could potentially entice a few Republicans.

We appreciate the political realities, but we also know that no votes have been cast and the situation is fluid. Three weeks remain in this year's legislative session -- plenty of time to win over more supporters.

No one wants a tax increase, but Illinois needs it.

For years, state revenue has not matched expenses, and it can't all be chalked up to reckless spending and waste. Though Quinn is calling for dramatic cuts, those alone won't free us from the mounting pension debt and unpaid Medicaid bills strangling the state.

Legislators could, once again, put off the hard decisions until next year.

But these issues won't go away -- they'll just get worse, and more expensive, with each passing day.