Illinois House Republicans are lashing out at a Democratic suggestion that the state should adopt a graduated income tax.
Minority Leader Jim Durkin said Tuesday his resolution opposing increased rates on higher levels of income is a protest against what he calls the ``customary practice of the General Assembly: Spend now, pay later.''
There's no proposal before lawmakers now. But Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker has proposed a graduated income tax to replace the flat rate on individuals of 4.95 percent.
Durkin says a graduated tax would punish the middle class and give Democrats the chance to raise more money for spending.
A Pritzker spokeswoman called the resolution a ``political stunt'' to distract from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's ``failure as governor.''
