Arlington Heights board gets petition from Koch brothers-backed group calling for law that may impact Chicago Bears’ stadium plans
A political advocacy group delivered petitions to the Arlington Heights Village Board to force consideration of an ordinance banning taxpayer-funded incentives to businesses looking to set up in the suburb.
chicagotribune.comArlington Heights residents favor a Chicago Bears stadium — but not tax help, a libertarian poll finds. But the mayor is wary of the questioning.
Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes notes that poll questions can be skewed to influence results and says anti-tax effort could affect all development in the village, not just the Bears.
chicagotribune.com'Super Bowl of tax reform': Groups gear up for fight over Biden plan to raise taxes on rich, corporations
It is shaping up to be the "Super Bowl of tax reform," according to one person who is planning to join the fight. Conservative and libertarian-leaning groups made the passing of former President Donald Trump's tax plan a top priority at the start of that administration. Now such groups, including the one backed by billionaire Charles Koch, are preparing to campaign against Biden's tax reform proposal. The Trump tax cuts reduced the corporate rate from 35% to 21%. Americans for Tax Reform, which was founded by anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist, for years has pushed back on any attempts to raise taxes.
cnbc.comRepublicans test history in vote against pandemic relief
And for beleaguered Republicans coming off a disastrous election, it was their first step back to political power. Senate Republicans are expected to oppose a similar measure in the coming weeks, arguing that the bill is not focused enough on the pandemic. Polling suggests that an overwhelming majority of voters — including a significant number of Republicans — supports the Democrats' pandemic relief plan. AdWhether the minimum wage provision is included or not, Senate Republicans are expected to oppose the final package. 3 House Republican, Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming.
Michigan groups unite to urge passage of criminal justice reforms before year’s end
LANSING, Mich. – “We are, so excited about this coalition, and we’re excited about these reforms. They prove that when people work together, they make genuine real process in Lansing,” said Kimberly Buddin. Thursday, several organizations -- like Americans for Prosperity, the ACLU of Michigan, Safe and Just Michigan and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy -- presented the Justice Reform Package to the State House and Senate. They addressed key and important issues like driver’s license suspensions, mandatory minimum sentencing, case initiation, sentencing, probation, racial justice and fairness. The State House approved the package, now they move on to the Senate.
Influential Koch network closes offices, shifts to digital outreach as coronavirus spreads
An activist organization backed in part by libertarian billionaire Charles Koch has shifted its operations to the digital realm as the coronavirus spreads throughout the United States. "We're engaging activists by showing them ways to educate their neighbors and expand their reach through social media and other peer-to-peer outreach." Americans for Prosperity and others are conducting some of their efforts through their i360 app, Tardiff said. Volunteers and activists are moving toward working the phones from home to assist in their operations. The network's policy proposals are often based on libertarian ideals, with an emphasis on cutting taxes, government spending and business regulations.
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