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TechnographMixed reactions to state address
By Kiyoshi Martinez
Posted: 1/19/06 Section: News
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The governor's proposal to give tax credits drew praise and criticism. One proposal would give a $500 sales tax rebate to people who purchase fuel-efficient cars that use biodiesel fuel or have high gas mileage. Another proposed tax credit of $1,000 aims to help families sending students to college in Illinois, provided students maintain a "B" average.
"Incentives that can be offered to (students) are real pluses," Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana) said about the governor's higher education tax credit plan. "That's going to help their families and them better pay back tuition."
The governor's opponents, however, contended that a tax credit would not be necessary if higher education had been properly financed before.
"Year after year the governor has reduced the amount of money going to higher education," Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Gidwitz said. "As a consequence, we've seen tuition rise."
Brady said the governor has been attacking higher education and caused tuition to escalate more than any other state in terms of percent increase. In response to Blagojevich's automobile tax credit, Brady said the proposal disqualifies Chrysler and Mitsubishi, which manufacture cars in Illinois.
"Time and time again we find this administration attacking jobs in Illinois and he did it again today," Brady said.
Also proposed in the governor's address was a plan to give veterans health care coverage, which would initially cover veterans with low income and live outside a reasonable driving distance from Va. hospitals.
"There are 1.7 million veterans in America today who do not have health care," Blagojevich said. "If we don't do something here in Illinois … our veterans will be left without health care and without hope."
The governor also mentioned proposals to reinstate an assault weapons ban in Illinois, although he cited a seven percent decline in crime in the last two years. Previously, an attempt to ban assault weapons in Illinois failed.
"Incentives that can be offered to (students) are real pluses," Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana) said about the governor's higher education tax credit plan. "That's going to help their families and them better pay back tuition."
The governor's opponents, however, contended that a tax credit would not be necessary if higher education had been properly financed before.
"Year after year the governor has reduced the amount of money going to higher education," Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Gidwitz said. "As a consequence, we've seen tuition rise."
Brady said the governor has been attacking higher education and caused tuition to escalate more than any other state in terms of percent increase. In response to Blagojevich's automobile tax credit, Brady said the proposal disqualifies Chrysler and Mitsubishi, which manufacture cars in Illinois.
"Time and time again we find this administration attacking jobs in Illinois and he did it again today," Brady said.
Also proposed in the governor's address was a plan to give veterans health care coverage, which would initially cover veterans with low income and live outside a reasonable driving distance from Va. hospitals.
"There are 1.7 million veterans in America today who do not have health care," Blagojevich said. "If we don't do something here in Illinois … our veterans will be left without health care and without hope."
The governor also mentioned proposals to reinstate an assault weapons ban in Illinois, although he cited a seven percent decline in crime in the last two years. Previously, an attempt to ban assault weapons in Illinois failed.
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