Tag: marijuana

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Tough decisions loom as congressional GOP moves closer to tax-cut plan – Damian Paletta and John Wagner (DIERSEN: Will the Republicans dump taxpayers who itemize their deductions to curry favor with taxpayers who take the standard deduction? From what I see, overwhelmingly, taxpayers who itemize are homeowners, older, middle-income, and Republican and taxpayers who take the standard deduction are renters, younger, low-income, and Democrat.  Lowering taxes for Democrats who take the standard deduction will not inspire them to vote for Republicans.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-congress-republicans-tax-plan-20171112-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s agenda at stake as misconduct allegations against Roy Moore turn Alabama race into toss-up.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-agenda-roy-moore-20171112-story.html
— More than 400 millionaires tell Congress: Don’t cut our taxes – Heather Long (DIERSEN: Who wants you to pay more federal income tax? Especially since 1971 when I 22 years old and I became an IRS employee, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always wanted me to pay more federal income tax. They have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, b) that I have always been privileged, c) that the federal government overpaid me, and d) that my Civil Service Retirement System pension and federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies are too generous. They have always stressed a) that I avoided the draft, b) that I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 c) that my wife and I have itemized our deductions since 1978, d) that I deducted the money that I paid for tuition and books to take graduate business courses 1972-1976, graduate accounting courses 1976-1980, graduate internal auditing courses 1980-1981, and graduate finance courses 1992-1997, c) that my wife and I gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents, and d) that I do not give lots of money to churches like they do.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-millionaires-taxes-congress-20171112-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: International student enrollment at Illinois universities growing, but more slowly – Dawn Rhodes and William Lee (DIERSEN: Every citizen of a foreign country that a university accepts, a citizen of America is not accepted. UIC, NIU, Loyola, DePaul, Roosevelt, and IIT accepted me in 1966, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1980, and 1992 respectively, but I doubt that they would accept me today. Ever-increasingly, employers want to hire citizens of foreign countries rather than citizens of America.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-international-students-illinois-universities-20171109-story.html
— Moore dismisses allegations in story, says lawsuit to come – Hope Yen and Kevin Freking (DIERSEN: Have you filed lawsuits? I have, but not since 1998. If you file a lawsuit, you should expect that the defendant(s) will spend the rest of their lives trying to destroy you. I should write a book about the lawsuits that I filed, the defendants, and their ongoing efforts to destroy me.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-moore-allegations-lawsuit-20171112-story.html
— Trump’s chief of staff: ‘I do not follow the tweets’ – Noah Bierman (DIERSEN: What do you say to activists, to candidates, to elected officials, to party leaders, to major donors, to political consultants, to etc. in Illinois who state that they are conservative and/or Republican but who crow that they do not read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and that they do not have their staff/volunteers monitor the emails? Who do they rely on – the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) chairman, their IRP State Central Committee member, their Republican county/township/ward party organization chairmen, Pat Brady, Natasha Korecki, Rich Miller, Dan Proft, Dennis LaComb, Fran Eaton?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-tweets-chief-of-staff-20171112-story.html
— ‘SNL’s’ Roy Moore sketch is one big joke about Alabama being backward – Aaron Blake (DIERSEN: Democrats are disciples of Saul Alinsky. Alinsky promotes ridicule. If the Democrats ridiculed you, what would they ridicule you as being?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-snl-roy-moore-sketch-20171112-story.html
— LaHood questions likelihood of GOP tax bill – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-toni-preckwinkle-bob-fioretti-20171113-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “If Trump continues with some of his tirades against people and the way that he treats people and the way that he talks, that will energize people a year from now,” LaHood said. “I think now Republican leaders and Republicans generally are worried that this could carry over.” He said Republicans are concerned that “there’s going to be some payback here from people who just think the president has kind of gone off the charts in terms of what he says, how he says it, how he treats people and, truthfully, the fact that his administration has really only one significant win this year after being in office, and that’s the nomination and approval of Supreme Court Justice (Neil) Gorsuch.”)
— GOP can’t afford to chase away its own – Jonah Goldberg (DIERSEN: I should write a book about Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, and RINOs who dominate the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC), DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, etc. who focus on chasing away Republicans like me who support the Republican Party platform, the Illinois Republican Party platform, and the MTRCC resolution against video gambling. They crow that I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, MTRCC webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/sns-201711091713–tms–jgoldbrgctnjg-a20171110-20171110-column.html

DAILY HERALD
— Moore threatens lawsuit over story that threatens campaign – AP (DIERSEN: Have you filed lawsuits? I have, but not since 1998. If you file a lawsuit, you should expect that the defendant(s) will spend the rest of their lives trying to destroy you. I should write a book about the lawsuits that I filed, the defendants, and their ongoing efforts to destroy me.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171113/news/311139969/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— #BoycottKeurig trending after company pulls ads from Sean Hannity Show (DIERSEN: No company has pulled ads from GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails because I have never sought advertising revenue nor would I accept advertising revenue. He who pays the piper calls the tunes and I do not want any individual, organization, company, government, or country to call my tunes.)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/boycottkeurig-trending-after-company-pulls-ads-from-sean-hannity-show
(FROM THE ARTICLE: #BoycottKeurig is trending on social media, after the company pulled its advertising from Fox News’s Sean Hannity Show. They are one of at least five companies that are no longer advertising their products during the show, including Nature’s Bounty and Realtor.com. Keurig announced their decision on Twitter in response to a tweet from the President of Media Matters for America. Angelo Carusone asked Keurig to reconsider their ads, saying that Sean Hannity defends Roy Moore, the Alabama senate candidate that has been accused of sexual assault. Their decision elicited outrage on social media, with fans of Hannity using the hashtag “Boycott Keurig”.)

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Repeal and replace the tax code – George F. Will (DIERSEN: Please contact Congressman Roskam ASAP and urge him to oppose cutting any itemized deductions. From what I see, the more that you have benefited from itemizing your deductions, the more federal income tax that the GOP “Tax Reform Bill” will make you pay. Those who take the standard deduction have always wanted those who itemize to pay more taxes. Typically, those who take the standard deduction are renters and those who itemize are homeowners. I have been a homeowner since 1972 and my wife and I have been homeowners since 1978. Since 1972, my critics/opponents have always been beyond furious a) that I paid less federal income tax 1972-1977 because I itemized and b) that my wife and I have paid less federal income tax since 1978 because we have itemized. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting educational expenses encouraged me to take job-related graduate a) business courses at Loyola 1972-1976, b) accounting courses at DePaul 1976-1980, c) internal auditing courses at Roosevelt 1980-1981, and d) finance courses at IIT 1992-1997. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting mortgage interest and real estate tax encouraged me to buy a) a new town home in University Park in 1972, b) a studio condo in the Outer Drive East building in 1974, and c) a one bedroom condo in that building in 1976. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting mortgage interest and real estate tax encouraged my wife and I to a) buy 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton in 1978 and b) have 915 Cove Court built in Wheaton in 1984.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171112/george-f-will-repeal-and-replace-tax-code

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Indivisible NWIL hosts congressional candidates forum
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/11/12/indivisible-nwil-hosts-congressional-candidates-forum/a8tg32o/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— OUTSTANDING: Opioid commission makes an anti-marijuana argument – WAYNE DRASH (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes talk and/or act like they a) use pot, b) want to use pot legally, c) want government to take in lots of money by legalizing and heavily taxing pot, d) want to make lots of money selling pot, and/or, e) want to use pot to destroy individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and/or countries.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/health-news/opioid-commission-makes-an-antimarijuana-argument/856543333

WBIR
— 5 money moves retirees should make before the end of the year – Dan Caplinger
http://www.wbir.com/article/news/nation-now/5-money-moves-retirees-should-make-before-the-end-of-the-year/465-cbdccf92-e1a8-4066-85a4-b424210c8ab9
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 3. Get your deductible expenses paid Retirees can use a variety of tax deductions to reduce their tax bills, but most of them require taking action by the end of December. Charitable contributions, real estate tax payments, medical bill payments, and many other items can be eligible for itemized deductions under certain circumstances, and taking the time to itemize can be worth it for those who have sufficiently large eligible expenses. To ensure that you won’t run into trouble, make sure you pay, and can document, your payments well before Dec. 31 rolls around. Getting a receipt, keeping canceled checks or credit card statements, and asking for confirmation from charities is the best way to prove that you made your payments in a timely manner and are therefore eligible for the appropriate deduction. 4. Consider doubling up on key deductions before they disappear For 2017 in particular, there’s reason to consider taking special action with your annual deductions. The current tax reform plan proposes major changes to taxes, including the elimination of deductions for major expenses like medical bills and state and local income taxes. Moreover, a higher standard deduction could make it less valuable to itemize in the future. Consider whether you’re likely to itemize under the new tax laws if they take effect. If not, then it could be worthwhile to pay some extra deductible expenses before 2017 ends, essentially doubling up on certain deductions. Possibilities include making 2018 charitable contributions early, prepaying taxes that are due in 2018, and having medical work done now, rather than later.)

DAILY NORTHWESTERN
— Interfaith rally calls for solidarity 1 year after presidential election – Alane Lim (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, “religious leaders” serve as operatives or as dupes for the anti-religious Democrat Party. Ever-increasingly, “religious leaders” promote hatred against members of the following groups: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/11/12/city/interfaith-rally-calls-solidarity-1-year-presidential-election/

OPEN THE BOOKS
— VIDEO: Open The Books CEO Adam Andrzejewski at Harvard Law October 24, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hpRSoJz_bw&feature=youtu.be

ANDREA V. WATSON
— Here’s How I Survived My First Week As An Unemployed Reporter (DIERSEN: Ever since I became the GOPUSA Illinois Editor in 2000, to discredit me, nasty Democrats and nasty Democrat plants, nasty Libertarians and nasty Libertarian plants, nasty Greens and nasty Green plants, and nasty RINOs have hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I aggressively ask inappropriate questions that harm Republican activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. Since 2005, they have viciously used against me what happened with GOPUSA, Talon News, and Jeff Gannon. SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talon_News They paint me as being a clone of Jeff Gannon. Ever since I became a GOPUSA reporter in 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have hinted/implied/argued/shouted that because I ask bad questions, activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. should a) stop me from learning about their events and other activities, b) stop me from promoting their events and other activities, c) stop me from attending their events, and c) stop me from reporting on their events and other activities.)
https://andreavwatson.wordpress.com/2017/11/10/heres-how-i-survived-my-first-week-as-an-unemployed-reporter/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Then today I covered the opening of a new South Side clinic. I stumbled at first when people asked who I was with. I hadn’t quite figured out what I wanted to say, but as I stood around and mingled afterwards, it became easier and easier to answer. I realized that for too long I’ve been attaching my name to different companies, most recently DNAinfo, for validation and respect. But no more. I’m sure I’ll end up reporting for another news organization again, but that name isn’t what makes me. People respect me because of who I am and the great work I produce. And if someone sticks their nose up at me because I say I’m currently an independent journalist and I’m not affiliated with a prestigious news outlet, oh well. I’m doing this for me. I’m doing this for the South Side. You don’t expect a dog to stop barking or a cat to stop licking itself so don’t expect a reporter to stop writing. I’ve been doing this since high school. I did this through college. Before I became a freelancer, I contributed just to get my name out there. I got into this news game working for free because I had drive and passion. That didn’t die with DNAinfo. I don’t know how to stop finding stories. Honestly, they find me. And when they do, I can’t turn my back on them. I can’t turn my back on the people who have gotten used to checking their timelines or morning e-newsletter for my stories about their neighborhoods. Reporting is in my blood. I can’t just stop. Sorry.)

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— THE MOST IMPORTANT TAX REFORM BILL IN MODERN HISTORY (DIERSEN: Please contact Congressman Roskam ASAP and urge him to oppose cutting any itemized deductions. From what I see, the more that you have benefited from itemizing your deductions, the more federal income tax that the GOP “Tax Reform Bill” will make you pay. Those who take the standard deduction have always wanted those who itemize to pay more taxes. Typically, those who take the standard deduction are renters and those who itemize are homeowners. I have been a homeowner since 1972 and my wife and I have been homeowners since 1978. Since 1972, my critics/opponents have always been beyond furious a) that I paid less federal income tax 1972-1977 because I itemized and b) that my wife and I have paid less federal income tax since 1978 because we have itemized. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting educational expenses encouraged me to take job-related graduate a) business courses at Loyola 1972-1976, b) accounting courses at DePaul 1976-1980, c) internal auditing courses at Roosevelt 1980-1981, and d) finance courses at IIT 1992-1997. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting mortgage interest and real estate tax encouraged me to buy a) a new town home in University Park in 1972, b) a studio condo in the Outer Drive East building in 1974, and c) a one bedroom condo in that building in 1976. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting mortgage interest and real estate tax encouraged my wife and I to a) buy 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton in 1978 and b) have 915 Cove Court built in Wheaton in 1984.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/the-most-important-tax-reform-bill-in-modern-history.html
— IF PUBLIC HEALTH ADVERTISING CAN CUT SMOKING, WHY CAN’T IT CUT OPIOD ABUSE?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/if-public-health-advertising-can-cut-smoking-why-cant-it-cut-opiod-abuse.html
— WHY NO ONE TRUSTS THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/why-no-one-trusts-the-mainstream-media.html

GOPUSA
— Vets tackle NFL for disrespecting anthem
http://www.gopusa.com/vets-tackle-nfl-for-disrespecting-anthem/
— The Sad Anniversary of Big Commercial Pot in Colorado (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes talk and/or act like they a) use pot, b) want to use pot legally, c) want government to take in lots of money by legalizing and heavily taxing pot, d) want to make lots of money selling pot, and/or, e) want to use pot to destroy individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and/or countries.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=33275
(FROM THE ARTICLE: This week marks the fifth anniversary of Colorado’s decision to sanction the world’s first anything-goes commercial pot trade. Five years later, we remain an embarrassing cautionary tale. Visitors to Colorado remark about a new agricultural smell, the wafting odor of pot as they drive near warehouse grow operations along Denver freeways. Residential neighborhoods throughout Colorado Springs reek of marijuana, as producers fill rental homes with plants. Five years of retail pot coincide with five years of a homelessness growth rate that ranks among the highest rates in the country. Directors of homeless shelters, and people who live on the streets, tell us homeless substance abusers migrate here for easy access to pot. Five years of Big Marijuana ushered in a doubling in the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for marijuana, based on research by the pro-legalization Denver Post. Five years of commercial pot have been five years of more marijuana in schools than teachers and administrators ever feared. “An investigation by Education News Colorado, Solutions and the I-News Network shows drug violations reported by Colorado’s K-12 schools have increased 45 percent in the past four years, even as the combined number of all other violations has fallen,” explains an expose on escalating pot use in schools by Rocky Mountain PBS in late 2016. The investigation found an increase in high school drug violations of 71 percent since legalization. School suspensions for drugs increased 45 percent. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found Colorado ranks first in the country for marijuana use among teens, scoring well above the national average. The only good news to celebrate on this anniversary is the dawn of another organization to push back against Big Marijuana’s threat to kids, teens and young adults. The Marijuana Accountability Coalition formed Monday in Denver and will establish satellites throughout the state. It resulted from discussions among recovery professionals, parents, physicians and others concerned with the long-term effects of a commercial industry profiteering off of substance abuse. “It’s one thing to decriminalize marijuana, it’s an entirely different thing to legalize an industry that has commercialized a drug that is devastating our kids and devastating whole communities,” said coalition founder Justin Luke Riley. “Coloradans need to know, other states need to know, that Colorado is suffering from massive normalization and commercialization of this drug which has resulted in Colorado being the number one state for youth drug use in the country. Kids are being expelled at higher rates, and more road deaths tied to pot have resulted since legalization.” Commercial pot’s five-year anniversary is an odious occasion for those who want safer streets, healthier kids and less suffering associated with substance abuse. Experts say the worst effects of widespread pot use will culminate over decades. If so, we can only imagine the somber nature of Big Marijuana’s 25th birthday.)

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Top House tax-writer won’t accept plank of Senate tax-cut plan Rep. Kevin Brady says ‘SALT’ deal on property tax is critical – Tom Howell Jr.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/12/top-house-tax-writer-wont-accept-plank-of-senate-t/

DAILY CALLER
— Media Matters Using Roy Moore Allegations To Go After Hannity’s Advertisers – Peter Hasson
http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/12/media-matters-using-roy-moore-allegations-to-go-after-hannitys-advertisers/

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Roskam at the Center of Political Fight Over Taxes – James Arkin (DIERSEN: Please contact Congressman Roskam ASAP and urge him to oppose cutting any itemized deductions. From what I see, the more that you have benefited from itemizing your deductions, the more federal income tax that the “GOP tax plan” will make you pay. Those who take the standard deduction have always wanted those who itemize to pay more taxes. Typically, those who take the standard deduction are renters and those who itemize are homeowners. I have been a homeowner since 1972 and my wife and I have been homeowners since 1978. Since 1972, my critics/opponents have always been beyond furious a) that I paid less federal income tax 1972-1977 because I itemized and b) that my wife and I have paid less federal income tax since 1978 because we have itemized. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting educational expenses encouraged me to take job-related graduate a) business courses at Loyola 1972-1976, b) accounting courses at DePaul 1976-1980, c) internal auditing courses at Roosevelt 1980-1981, and d) finance courses at IIT 1992-1997. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting mortgage interest and real estate tax encouraged me to buy a) a new town home in University Park in 1972, b) a studio condo in the Outer Drive East building in 1974, and c) a one bedroom condo in that building in 1976. Being able to pay less federal income tax by deducting mortgage interest and real estate tax encouraged my wife and I to a) buy 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton in 1978 and b) have 915 Cove Court built in Wheaton in 1984.)
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/11/13/roskam_at_the_center_of_political_fight_over_taxes_135517.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republicans for weeks have said passing an overhaul of the tax code, thereby securing a major legislative victory, is imperative to their 2018 election efforts. Illinois Rep. Peter Roskam stands squarely at the center of that effort — and could be imperiled by it. As chairman of the tax policy subcommittee in the House, he’s playing a critical role in crafting the GOP tax legislation and shepherding it through the chamber – it passed the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday along party lines and is expected to be voted on by the full House this week. Roskam is also at the center of the political debate over taxes as Democrats vilify the plan and Republicans search for a legislative victory to run on next year. Illinois’ 6th Congressional District sprawls across suburbs to the west and northwest of Chicago and represents the precise type of district Democrats view as key to taking back the House: It’s highly educated, with more than 50 percent of residents holding college degrees, and has a median household income of nearly $100,000 — 40 percent higher than the national average. Last year, Hillary Clinton carried the 6th over Donald Trump by seven percentage points and Roskam is one of 23 Republicans in districts she won. If Republicans pass their plan, Roskam’s home base will be a critical test for Democrats: Defeating an architect of the GOP plan in a district won by Clinton would likely mean Democrats can find success in similar districts across the country. Republicans roundly dismiss Democratic hopes in the area. Roskam, who has represented IL-6 since 2007, won re-election last year with nearly 60 percent of the vote, and has won every re-election by double-digit margins. He’s a successful fundraiser and, unlike some other members in targeted districts, there is no wavering from Roskam on the tax bill. “I’m going to run on this plan, undoubtedly,” he said in an interview following the committee passage of the bill. “I think that when it’s all evaluated in its totality, this is a winner for my district.” American Action Network, an outside group aligned with Speaker Paul Ryan, has spent $18 million on the tax issue, and its ads have run in Roskam’s district. Business Roundtable, a pro-tax-reform group, ran an ad last week featuring a company just outside the district (the person in the ad is a constituent, Roskam said). But Democrats there are energized and expect to rally support against the measure. A variety of grassroots organizations have popped up to protest Roskam and lay the groundwork for a campaign against him, many falling under the umbrella group Coalition for a Better Illinois 6th. On Friday, protesters gathered outside the congressman’s district office, handing out postcards to deliver to him listing reasons to oppose the bill — a play on the GOP’s promise to simplify the tax code so anyone can file their return on a postcard-size form. This Thursday, protesters will rally outside a local Republican organization where Roskam is headlining its annual Reagan Day Dinner. “I think it’s the strongest argument against Peter Roskam that we’re going to have,” said Reid McCollum, one of the coalition leaders. “There’s no getting around the fact that that’s going to be a major issue in the campaign.” Bob Grogan, leader of the local group hosting Roskam at the dinner, said Democrats are wasting their time attacking him on taxes. “There’s always winners and losers, but on balance, if it’s a success and it gets passed, I think it’s a feather in Peter’s cap,” Grogan said. For Roskam and other Republicans to be able to run on the plan, however, they will first have to successfully guide the bill to passage. Some House Republicans have already balked, mainly because of a provision rolling back the deduction for state and local taxes. There are also significant differences between the House bill and the version the Senate released Thursday, including one in the Senate that would entirely eliminate the state and local deduction, while the House kept it for property taxes up to $10,000. . .In Roskam’s district, the Ways and Means Committee predicted that a family of four making $135,435 — the median income there — would see a $5,053 tax cut. Democrats, however, dispute that the district would be a winner. Sen. Dick Durbin held an event there last week and issued a press release saying 51 percent of taxpayers in the district would see an increase because of the changes to state and local deductions. That issue is a unique factor in Illinois because voters recently saw massive state income tax increases across the board. To break a budget standoff, this summer 10 Republicans in the state legislature joined Democrats to override a veto from Gov. Bruce Rauner to pass a budget that increased the income tax from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent. Steve Andersson, a state representative whose district overlaps significantly with Roskam’s, was one of the Republicans who voted to override the veto, which cost him his position as the party’s floor leader. He ultimately decided not to seek re-election next year. But Andersson said his constituents — and Roskam’s — could be hurt by the House GOP plan. “Our voters are not necessarily going to benefit from this,” he told RCP. “With every vote you take, vote the district. I think it’s going to be an interesting conundrum for Peter.” Roskam has vigorously criticized the state income tax increase, voicing his displeasure with it, and with Illinois critics of his plan, during the committee markup this week. He told RCP his critics should “spare me the crocodile tears.” Roskam said he initially had a jarring reaction to the idea of eliminating state and local deductions — 38 percent of tax units in his district took the deduction in 2015, with an average deduction of $14,830. But he maintained that the plan should be evaluated in totality. “Most people in my district say I’m interested in tax relief,” Roskam said. “They’re less interested in equations than they are in the bottom line.” His Democratic opponents have highlighted health care as the biggest issue in the race next year, but they are also ready to run against the tax plan. Amanda Howland, who lost to Roskam last year but is running again, said he “threw us under the bus” in drafting the bill. Sean Casten, another Democratic candidate, said: “The only thing I can conclude is he’s doing what his donors want him to do and not what his constituents want him to do.” “This is a whammy for them,” a third candidate, Kelly Mazeski, said of Roskam’s voters. “This is truly going to kick them in the pocketbooks.” Ten Democrats in all have lined up to run in the primary next March, and no frontrunner has yet emerged. Rowland likely benefits from the name ID of having run last year, while Mazeski leads the pack with $343,000 in the bank, including a $195,000 loan; Casten follows with $169,000 (Roskam has $1.35 million).)

AMERICAN THINKER
— Some Tax Deductions Are More Equal than Others – William Sullivan
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/11/some_tax_deductions_are_more_equal_than_others.html

POLITICO
— POLITICO is accepting applications for its fifth session of the POLITICO Journalism Institute, an educational initiative focused on newsroom diversity – Natasha Korecki (DIERSEN: If you were me, how would you deal with activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. in Illinois who hint/imply/argue/shout that I am not a journalist and neither I nor my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are legitimate news sources. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) blacklist me, b) give news scoops to, c) glorify and praise, d) pander to, e) serve as operatives for or as dupes for, and/or f) give money to Rich Miller, Dan Proft, Dennis LaComb, Fran Eaton, and my other competitors. Of course, I refuse to blacklist my competitors, in fact, I promote my competitors. Should I stress even more strongly a) that I have been putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out since 2000, b) that since 2004, those emails have gone out each and every morning, and that since 2015, they have gone out each and every evening too, c) that since 2004, those emails have included links to more than 286,700 articles and information on many upcoming events, d) that virtually every important Republican activist, candidate, elected official, party leader, major donor, political consultant, etc. in Illinois either reads GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails or relies on their staff and/or volunteers to monitor the emails, e) that while I do not have a journalism degree, while no one pays me to put the emails together and send them out, and while the emails do not contain any advertising, I worked for GAO for almost 18 years as an Analyst, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $94,610-$122,991, and f) that much of GAO Analysts do is very similar to what journalists do.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/11/13/fioretti-announces-preckwinkle-challenge-rauner-campaigns-against-corrupt-system-durbin-targets-gop-tax-plan-223301
(FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT: The intensive program, which is designed for college students, will be held May 29 to June 9, 2018. It features hands-on training for up to 12 recent grads and university students interested in covering government and politics. Students also will have an opportunity to have their work published by POLITICO. All expenses are paid for the program, reflecting POLITICO’s ongoing support of journalism education, newsroom diversity and recruitment of top-notch talent. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, so APPLY TODAY but no later than Jan. 15, 2018. https://www.politico.com/pji)

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Despite Recent Wins for Democrats, Gerrymanders Dim Hopes for 2018.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/12/us/politics/voting-gerrymander-virginia.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— In high-tax California, a vote to scrap deductions could be the kiss of death for endangered House Republicans – George Skelton (DIERSEN: To scrap deductions is to raise taxes for those who itemize. In high-tax Illinois, in high-tax DuPage County, in high-tax Milton Township, in high-tax Glen Ellyn, and in high-tax Wheaton will a vote to scrap deductions be the kiss of death for Republicans?
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-skelton-salt-deductions-california-republicans-20171113-story.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Best Way for Retirees to Find Meaningful Volunteer Work – Glenn Ruffenach (DIERSEN: What “meaningful volunteer work” do you do? I spend 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out free of charge and without any advertising. Those emails help fill a tremendous government and political news and commentary void in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, and in Wheaton.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-best-way-for-retirees-to-find-meaningful-volunteer-work-1510340401

FOX BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: “Tax simplification” is code for making those who are homeowners, older, are middle income, and/or have high medical expenses pay more federal income tax. “Tax simplification” is code for letting those who are renters, lower income, and/or younger pay less federal income tax.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/11/12/gop-bills-remove-some-tax-codes-complexities0.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republicans want to repeal the personal exemption, which would let taxpayers in 2018 subtract $4,150 from taxable income for themselves, their spouses and each of their dependents. They would replace it with a nearly doubled standard deduction of at least $24,000 while limiting or repealing deductions. The House and Senate would repeal the deduction for state and local income and sales taxes; the House would retain a partial property-tax deduction. Despite the larger standard deduction, the repeal of the personal exemptions means the amount of income that is tax free wouldn’t be close to doubled. Instead, fewer people would itemize deductions because fewer would exceed the standard deduction. That is a backdoor way of limiting tax breaks for mortgage interest and charitable contributions, and it’s why many home builders, real-estate agents and charities oppose the GOP plans. . .A married couple with $30,000 in deductible medical expenses for nursing-home care generally fares worse under the House bill than today. The House plan would repeal the medical expense deduction, pushing that family to the $24,400 standard deduction and taxing more of their income. The same is true for households taking the student loan interest deduction, now available to households that use the standard deduction; it would disappear in the House plan. “Many of the people that I represent would rather have their loan interest deduction, if they have substantial student debt, than being able to file on a postcard,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D., Texas).)

USA TODAY
— Keurig, others pull ads from Fox News’ ‘Hannity’ show over Roy Moore coverage – Sarah Whitten (DIERSEN: Do you have enough time and money to do what you want to do without having to ask others to give you money? I have enough time and money to do what I do without having to ask for money from advertisers or from anyone else. I spend 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out free of charge and without any advertising. He who pays the piper calls the tunes.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/11/12/keurig-others-pull-ads-fox-news-hannity-show-over-roy-moore-coverage/856424001/

FEDERAL TIMES
— DHS announces intent to hire hundreds of veterans after August job fair – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/career/2017/11/09/dhs-announces-intent-to-hire-hundreds-of-veterans-after-august-job-fair/