Read on Twitter
What Illinois voters are actually voting on is quite different than the rhetoric surrounding the "Fair Tax" proposal...the proposed constitutional amendment would simply change the language to permit a graduated structure https://twitter.com/capitolfax/status/1311210557685465089
I can hear Charlie Wheeler saying over and over again "read the bill"....or in this case read the proposed constitutional amendment. The language that'd be removed is struck through, and the new language is underlined
the actual proposed constitutional change does not constitutionally lock in rates or even mandate a graduated rate structure. The base (what's taxed) and the rates would still be decided by the General Assembly and Governor....as is the case now
allowing for the possibility of a graduated rate structure, IMO, is just giving lawmakers more tools in the toolbox to address the state's fiscal issues.
..and yes, i know that since lawmakers approved a rate structure already, voting on the amendment is a referendum on that
..and yes, i know that since lawmakers approved a rate structure already, voting on the amendment is a referendum on that
and yes, if this amendment is approved, the rates could be changed in the future....but the rate could be changed even if the amendment is reject, and given the state's fiscal needs that'd surely be a policy proposal on the table
and there's not really evidence to support the argument that states with graduated structures change tax rates more frequently than states with a flat structure....David Merriman and I have a short blog on this https://gfrc.uic.edu/do-states-with-graduated-structures-change-tax-rates-more-frequently-than-states-with-a-flat-structure/ (he's also working on a longer paper on this)
