Lower taxes, don't raise them

Bill Bloom had this in the April 6 Dispatch/Rock Island Argus. "On Tuesday, we will vote on a measure adding a 1 percent tax to bring funding to the schools. Currently Illinois is not competitive with the surrounding states. Illinois loses millions in tax revenue from people who drive out of state to buy gas, groceries and other products. For a border county in Illinois to further increase sales taxes will make it even harder for businesses to compete. Raising taxes in Illinois may even result in losing more revenue than the 1 percent tax increase will bring in. Purchases that end up in Iowa will cost Illinois 8.5 percent in lost taxes. ..... The way to generate more tax dollars is to help our businesses be competitive and to draw business to Illinois. Lower the tax rates, don't raise them. Make Illinois a better place to open, own and operate a business. By making Illinois more competitive, we attract people to our businesses and generate more tax dollars on a lower sales tax rate. ...... For years, people in the border counties have been voting with their feet and their dollars. We have lost hundreds of businesses, thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenues to other states. The impact is visible when you compare home construction, new business starts and housing prices between the Iowa Quad-Cities and Illinois side. Illinois should lower tax rates (and property tax rates) in order to increase overall revenue dollars. Please vote no on the referendum."