As Governor Quinn and the four leaders debate the states budget, one proposed solution (House Bill 3189) is to adopt a so-called PAYGO provision into the state budget. PAYGO is a means of trying to achieve a balanced budget by insisting that any new spending be completely offset by either cutting other spending or by raising new revenue -- taxes. While PAYGO may seem like good policy, it’s really just an excuse to raise taxes.

PAYGO is a tool for big spenders so that every time they come up with another must-have idea for the people of Illinois, the taxpayers are forced to dig a little deeper into their pockets. Fiscally conservative lawmakers should not fall into the trap of adopting this language and thus doing the heavy lifting for advocates of big government.

What are really needed in Springfield are aggressive spending cuts. I would propose that instead of PAYGO, the leaders should offer a plan to cut wasteful and duplicative state spending and every time they do, the recovered funds are returned to the people, dollar-for-dollar, in the form of lower taxes. That would be a real PAYGO provision.

Joe Calomino
Illinois-State Director
Americans for Prosperity