No to new, higher taxes; Yes to fiscal responsibility
Springfield . . . Opposition to tax increases, a smaller and more accountable state government and job creation are among the important issues identified in State Senator Kyle McCarter’s 2009 legislative survey.
“Clearly, constituents in the 51st Senate District would like to see a more responsible state government,” said McCarter (R-Lebanon). “They want government to do a better job with taxpayer dollars and they aren’t willing to give government more. In fact, in the wake of Illinois’ current budget problems, people want to see smaller government.”
Of those who responded, 68% do not believe Illinois needs a general tax increase to meet its needs. Additionally, 55% indicated they were willing to see the programs and services they use eliminated or reduced in order to avoid a tax increase. The survey also revealed that 84% of respondents agreed that taxes on businesses hurt consumers.
“I am not surprised by these points of view because I hear these concerns everywhere I go throughout the 51st District,” said McCarter. “These are practical, common sense values that most people live their own lives by but one question I get quite often from citizens I meet is, ‘I live within a budget and don’t spend more money than I take in so why can’t government?’”
More than 1750 people responded to Senator McCarter’s survey.
Survey results also indicated people want more accountability and transparency.
A vast majority, 85%, of respondents believe there should be a law prohibiting the Governor from diverting money from special dedicated funds to pay for day-to-day operations of government, ninety-four percent believe there should be a requirement that every item of spending in the state budget be listed so taxpayers can see how their money is spent, and ninety-three percent indicated that campaign contributors should be required to post on the Internet any state contracts they receive.
“Obviously, these strong feelings reflect the media stories in recent years about ‘Pay-to-Play’ politics which has come to dominate the decision-making in Springfield and ultimately, in part, led to the impeachment of a governor,” said McCarter.
The survey also may reflect what have been hottest issues of the year. Beginning with the impeachment of Rod Blagojevich in January and the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit, which has dominated most of the news from the Capitol for most of the year, nearly two thirds of respondents listed Government/Ethics and Jobs as the top two issues.
Cutting taxes was cited by 14%; 9% of respondents listed Health Care as a top concern while Education was ranked at the top by 5%; 4% percent chose Abortion and High Utility Costs as most important and 3% indicated Roads and Infrastructure ranked most important.
Other questions in the survey included;
Would you support an education policy commonly referred to as “education choice,” which provides lower income families with the means to attend the school of their choice be it private, parochial or out-of-district?
Yes 535 32%
No 984 59%
Undecided 154 09%
Recently, former Attorney General Roland Burris was appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill President Barack Obama’s vacant senate seat. Considering the allegations of illegal activity and scandal surrounding Blagojevich, do you believe that a special public election should have been held to fill that seat?
Yes 1329 76%
No 326 18%
Undecided 103 06%
Do you support mandatory helmet laws for motorcycle riders?
Yes 863 49%
No 688 40%
Undecided 198 11%
“I thank those who responded to the survey,” said McCarter. “But I want everyone to know that I also place great value on the letters, calls and emails that come into my district offices in Decatur and Highland as well.”