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Thank you for the
tremendous support you have given our political efforts. Illinois
is a great state with wonderful people. There are many challenges
facing the state and nation. Our democracy and representative
government is a treasured right. Being involved politically is
exercising that right. God Bless
America!
This website is updated
frequently, in particular the Diary. We hope you
visit often.
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Donor links governor to job scheme
In plea deal, ex-agency chief
says he bought his job by bribing Rezko and donating to
Blagojevich's campaign
Chicago Tribune
Jeff Coen and Bob Secter
Gov.
Rod
Blagojevich has again been stung by accusations
that he knowingly exchanged positions in his administration
for campaign cash, this time by a former state official who
says the governor was in the room when money changed hands.
The new corruption allegations are some of the strongest yet
leveled against Blagojevich, but they didn't come at the trial
of
Antoin
"Tony" Rezko, his former fundraiser and adviser.
Ali Ata, a former high-ranking Blagojevich administration
official, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a separate criminal case
involving Rezko. Ata admitted he bought his $127,000-a-year
state job by bribing Rezko and making campaign contributions
to Blagojevich.
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Governor’s Tax on
Payroll
Governor Blagojevich formalized in his proposed Budget the
intent to Tax small businesses as the method of financing
dramatic healthcare expansions. Here are the facts
(uncontested by the Governor’s Office) on the Governor’s
payroll tax:
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The
present Illinois Corporate Income Tax applies to all
business and generates less than $2 Billion.
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The
proposed Payroll Tax would apply to only 5% of Illinois’
businesses and generate $1.2 Billion.
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Of the
5% of Illinois businesses that would pay the payroll tax,
70% have between 10-19 employees.
The Payroll Tax would be absolutely devastating to small
businesses.
For more information, please go to the
Committee for Legislative Action site, Tax & Fee
Increases.
Payroll Tax Chart
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Check it out on the Diary
Senator Dan Rutherford posts comments on governmental and public
policy matters on his Senate website:
www.DanRutherford.com
This website:
www.DanRutherford.org is for non-governmental matters and
political events. Senator Rutherford posts comments on personal
happenings and interesting moments on his Diary each month.
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Question of Recalling a Governor
 Legislation has been introduced to amend the state
Constitution to allow for Recall of an elected official, such as the
Governor.
If approved by the General Assembly and, subsequently,
the state's voters, the amendment would allow the electorate to Recall
statewide officeholders, legislators and judges.
To read more
about the proposed legislation or to sign up, please go to:
www.CommitteeForLegislativeAction.org
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Governor calls story on flights 'ridiculous'
Doesn't answer question about asking tax attorney
 SPRINGFIELD
-- Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Tuesday it's "ridiculous" to
suggest he might owe taxes for personal use of state aircraft.
The Associated Press reported this week that Blagojevich, his
family and guests have taken hundreds of flights on
taxpayer-financed airplanes with no clear business purpose.
Tax experts said the Internal Revenue Service could consider
the flights taxable fringe benefits. |
Curacao,
Netherlands Antilles
The notes from the dive trip to Curacao are just about done and I will let you know when they are posted. I have posted the photos, they really are pretty good.  The final Diary of the trip will be up soon. In the meantime here are the pictures: Diving Curacao
(Giant Crab on night dive)
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