Editorial: J.B. Pritzker’s Tax Hike Math Doesn’t Add Up

Illinois Democrat gubernatorial candidate and heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune J.B. Pritzker has made a series of massive tax hikes – a flat income tax increase and then a graduated income tax – the centerpiece of his campaign.

But a new editorial from the News-Gazette is blasting Pritzker for his refusal to say exactly what his tax hike rates would be, and pointing out that Pritzker’s math does not seem to add up.

The News-Gazette writes that Prtizker has “been reticent to discuss specifics” about his flat tax increase, and “won’t say” what his graduated tax would look like.

What’s even more troubling is that Pritzker has promised major spending increases for a state that has been driven into serious financial trouble from decades of failed Democrat spending policies.

The News-Gazette explains,

Given Illinois’ hideous financial position, is it actually possible for the state to tax high-income earners enough to dig the state out of a mammoth financial hole while also generating enough revenue to pay for the series of social welfare programs Pritzker has embraced?

Research organization Wirepoints recently examined the state’s debts and the state’s taxpayers and concluded that there are not enough “millionaires and billionaires” to raise the revenue to meet Pritzker’s twin goals.

In other words, J.B Pritzker’s math simply does not add up. It’s time for Pritzker to get serious and tell voters exactly what his tax hike plan would be.

The News-Gazette concludes, “raising income taxes is all about numbers, and Pritzker needs to start providing some.”