Tax Hike Passes By One Vote: Illinois is Nation’s Worst Credit Risk by Gregory Hilton

Illinois is the worst credit risk in the nation because for years its lawmakers have refused to adequately address its budget gap.

The Illinois legislature voted last night to increase the state personal income taxes by 67 percent and business taxes by 46 percent. Illinois now has the highest effective corporate tax rate in the industrialized world, and prior to the vote Illinois ranked 48th in job creation. All Democrats voted yes, and all Republicans in both the House and Senate voted no. The Senate passed the measure at 1:30 am by a 30 to 29 vote margin.

BOOK REVIEW: “The Dixiecrat Revolt and the End of the Solid South, 1932-1968” by Kari Frederickson, 336 pages, UNC Press

Reviewed by Gregg Hilton
This is an important and thought provoking book. The author is a professor of history at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and her effort resulted in the Harry Truman Book Award from the Truman Presidential Library. She is a liberal but there is no bias in her account of this period.
The Dixiecrats (or southern Democrats) were predominantly conservative, but the movement also included many racists. She accurately quotes them and that was enough to prove her point. Her account begins with Franklin Roosevelt’s election in 1932, but as she readily acknowledges, the Democratic Party’s Solid South really began with the end of Reconstruction in 1877.

The Great Speakers and the Failure of Nancy Pelosi by Gregory Hilton

The Republican Party did not realize it then, but they were about to give up power in the House of Representatives for 60 of the next 64 years. On March 4, 1931, Speaker Nicholas Longworth (R-OH) approached the rostrum for the last time. The first person on his feet was Jack Garner (D-TX) who would be his successor. Then every Democrat and Republican stood up and the applause was thunderous.

The End of the Pelosi Era by Gregory Hilton

At noon on Wednesday this sign will be replaced. After a four year absence, open rules and amendments will return to the House of Representatives. The Senate will no longer be run by a series of cloture motions to cut off debate.

Welcome Aboard Walker, We Are Pleased to Have You by Gregory Hilton

The election was over two months ago but the change continues. Since November 2nd, 22 state legislators have switched parties. Probably the most important was State Rep. Walker Hines of New Orleans. He is only 26, but has been a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for the past three years.
He represents an urban district which is home to rapper Lil Wayne.

Obama and Reid Now Want to Talk: This is the GOP’s Opening Proposal by Gregory Hilton

Republicans want to be at the table with the President and the Majority Leader. The GOP will compromise and we have a lot to discuss with them.

A year ago I would not have predicted the re-election of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). His negative rating was 56% and Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Reid portrayed himself as a moderate, but that was difficult to do after he became Majority Leader. Nevertheless, he has now been returned for a fifth term by a comfortable five percent margin.

New Senate Moves to the Right by Gregory Hilton

Majority Leader Harry Reid has offered the Charimanship of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). This is a plum assignment with national exposure. Warner briefly ran for president and DSCC would bolster his future prospects. Warner said no because his state lost three Democratic Congressmen and a fourth is ahead by only 820 votes.