WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist called on Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radongo to recommit themselves and their caucuses their stated opposition to Gov. Pat Quinn’s latest tax increase.

 In a statement on April 19, Cross and Radongo stated:

 “We stand with our members on the Medicaid working group against any tax increases to solve our Medicaid crisis. We are encouraging the working group to continue working in a bi-partisan way to come up with $2.7 billion in Medicaid reforms and cuts, NOT revenue enhancements.”

 As pressure increases for Republicans to cave on Quinn’s Medicaid proposal, which includes higher taxes and the expedited implementation of Obamacare, Norquist highlighted the negative ramifications of flip flopping on this issue.

 “Pat Quinn has successfully branded the Illinois Democrats as the state’s tax, spend and borrow party,” Norquist said. “His latest effort, on the heels of the largest tax increase in Illinois history, is more of the same. It is not a $2.7 billion reform package; it is nearly $1 billion in revenue increases coupled with phony reforms that will most likely increase the state’s Medicaid burden. I urge Illinois Republicans to see through the noise and continue their hard and principled work to reform the system, not be swayed by the Democrats’ latest song and dance.

 “Just as troubling is this legislation’s expedited Obamacare implementation in Cook County,” Norquist continued. “Obamacare is already scheduled to add $10 billion to Illinois’s Medicaid costs over the next decade; those costs will certainly rise should the governor’s package become law. It comes as no surprise that Gov. Quinn’s ‘reforms’ will increase Illinois’s tax burden and its future Medicaid liabilities. I urge Republicans to see through the nonsense and put forth a serious policy alternative that deviate from business as usual in Springfield.”

 Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases.  For more information or to arrange an interview please contact John Kartch at (202) 785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.

Posted by Joshua Culling on Monday, May 21, 2012 10:10 AM EDT

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