CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Winners and losers under the Senate tax overhaul proposal – AP (DIERSEN: Are you a tax overhaul loser? My wife and I and my aunt are. I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-senate-tax-winners-losers-20171118-story.html
— What will Schumer do? Franken’s troubles test his bond with the Senate minority leader – Paul Kane
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-al-franken-chuck-schumer-20171118-story.html
— Trump often condemns Democrats, defends Republicans on harassment allegations – Jenna Johnson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-condemns-democrats-defends-republicans-20171117-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who want to destroy Orland Park push video gambling in Orland Park.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-orland-video-gambling-st-1119-20171117-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— Tax filers in most states claim state and local tax deduction targeted by GOP – AP (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171118/news/311189946/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Yet estimates by the Tax Policy Center and a nonpartisan congressional analysis say some taxpayers eventually will end up owing more in federal taxes under the GOP plans. The left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy said changes to the state and local tax deduction under the House bill would contribute to one of every five taxpayers in the hardest hit states getting a higher tax bill. While most of those states are led by Democrats, Republican-led Georgia and Utah, and the swing state of Virginia were among them. Democratic lawmakers said that any initial tax relief felt by the middle class or working-class families will eventually disappear. In Georgia, for example, an estimated 9 percent of filers would pay higher taxes in 2018, rising to 22 percent by 2027, according to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The state and local tax deduction is just one of many provisions targeted for change under legislation that passed the House earlier in the week and is pending in the Senate. The House version would repeal the deduction for income and sales taxes while capping the property tax deduction at $10,000. The Senate bill would end deductions for all state and local taxes. Most tax filers currently take the standard federal deduction of $6,300 per individual or $12,600 for married couples. But some reap larger tax breaks by itemizing deductions for state and local taxes, medical expenses, charitable contributions and interest paid on home mortgages. The state and local tax break is the largest of those. About 44 million taxpayers claimed deductions totaling around $550 billion for state and local taxes paid in 2015, according to the most recent IRS data. The top 10 states with the highest average state and local tax deductions all voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton in last year’s election. New York led the way with an average state and local tax deduction of more than $22,000, followed by Connecticut, California, New Jersey and Massachusetts. But when analyzed by the percentage of taxpayers claiming the deduction, several states won by Trump rank in the top third nationally. In reliably Republican Utah, 35 percent of taxpayers claimed the deduction for state and local taxes. That figure was 33 percent in Georgia and 31 percent in Wisconsin. Thirty-five states had at least one-quarter of their taxpayers claim the deduction. Because of its widespread effect, debate over curtailing the deduction already is creeping into competitive 2018 elections.)
— Facts Matter: An editorial poster against fake news (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all the news and commentary in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails is fake except the news and commentary that they put out.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171118/facts-matter-an-editorial-poster-against-fake-news
KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— What do voters do when we’re stymied? – Jim Nowlan
http://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/columnists/local/jim-nowlan-what-do-voters-do-when-we-re-stymied/article_2f63ee2b-af0e-5eb5-8b91-0ae4b0153d6d.html
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— After three years of silence, action on sexual harassment in Springfield – Chuck Sweeny
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20171118/chuck-sweeny-after-three-years-of-silence-action-on-sexual-harassment-in-springfield
BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Newspaper investigation finds Illinois raffle irregularities – AP
http://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article185415958.html
— State union workers protect the vulnerable – Roberta Lynch, Executive Director, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article185438928.html
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Franken, Moore assault allegations dredge up accusations against Trump At least 13 women have accused president – DAN MERICA (DIERSEN: If you have ever done anything that subjects you to blackmail, you should not seek or hold any kind of government or political office. If you are a male, the more religious, government, political, and/or financial clout that you have, the more that you should anticipate that women will charge you with sexual harassment and even worse things.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/franken-moore-assault-allegations-dredge-up-accusations-against-trump/859907207
- LOUIS TODAY
— Tax deductions: Grab them before they disappear – Gail MarksJarvis (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/tax-deductions-grab-them-before-they-disappear/article_47c3a20a-8dbc-5a70-ad13-d9be74848c29.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Max your state and local taxes One of the hotly debated issues between the House and Senate is whether to cut taxpayers off completely from deducting state and local taxes — everything from property taxes on their homes to state income taxes and sales taxes. Depending on the final arrangement, you may no longer get to deduct these after 2017, although the House preserves the property tax deduction up to $10,000. State and local taxes can be substantial, so grab as much as you can now. If you have taxes due in January, consider paying in December to maximize your 2017 deduction, Luscombe said. Just avoid tinkering too much to maximize deductions in 2017. That might bring about the alternative minimum tax, an additional tax for some people that could be lifted by Congress in 2018, but still applies in 2017. Push 2018 tax items into 2017 After this year, many people may be better off taking the proposed higher standard deduction of $24,400 for couples or $12,000 for individuals. As a result, Luscombe suggested maximizing itemized deductions in 2017. While the charitable deduction may not go away, in the future you may find no value in using it if you no longer itemize. So you should consider giving large donations before the end of 2017. The same goes for the mortgage interest deduction, which may remain on loan amounts up to $500,000 for new home purchases. Taxpayers who think they will not itemize in the future should think about pre-paying January expenses in 2017. The deductions and credits aimed at helping families pay for college are also up for an overhaul and people could lose the right to deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest a year. So make those payments count as much as possible this year; perhaps pay what you otherwise would let go until after the New Year. Go to the doctor Under a House measure, people with large medical bills would no longer get to deduct some of the expenses on their taxes, although this is not included in the Senate version. Chris Hesse, a Minneapolis certified public accountant with CliftonLarsonAllen, urged people to consider clustering medical costs in 2017 to meet a threshold for deducting expenses once they surpass 10 percent of adjusted gross income. Think: dentists, hearing aids, glasses, nonemergency planned surgery.)
HOMEWOOD FLOSSMOOR CHRONICLE
— Rep. Kelly explains her ‘no’ vote on proposed tax reform plan (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://hfchronicle.com/article/2017/nov/17/rep-kelly-explains-her-%E2%80%98no%E2%80%99-vote-proposed-tax-reform-plan
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Hurting Already Heavily-Taxed Illinoisans Nearly 2 million Illinoisans use the state and local tax (SALT) deduction and deduct more than $25.5 million. Under the GOP’s new tax plan, Illinoisans’ ability to deduct their state and local taxes will be capped at $10,000, well below the amount traditionally deducted by the majority of Illinoisans. In fact, just one-third of the state’s Congressional districts have SALT deduction averages below $10,000, meaning Illinoisans will face double tax thanks to Illinois’ Congressional Republicans. Hurting Illinois Homeowners More than 1.4 million Illinois homeowners use the mortgage interest deduction, keeping more than $11 million in the homeowners’ bank accounts. However, under GOP ‘tax reform,’ this deduction is eliminated. Thanks to the votes of Illinois’ Republican congressmen, more than 1.4 million Illinoisan homeowners will see a tax hike. National media has cited the devastating impact that eliminating this deduction will have on some Illinois communities.)
CHICAGO NOW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Moore demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Moore.
http://www.chicagonow.com/patriotic-dissenter/2017/11/a-roy-moore-victory-would-be-a-horrifying-national-disgrace/
SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— David Reis challenger Darren Bailey wants to fight ‘unchecked power’ that ignores increasing taxpayer burden – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511271396-reis-challenger-wants-to-fight-unchecked-power-that-ignores-increasing-taxpayer-burden
DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Deb Conroy opponent Jay Kinzler questions competency of Democrats after sexual harassment allegations – Chandra Lye
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511266853-conroy-opponent-questions-competency-of-democrats-after-sexual-harassment-allegations
BREITBART
— Dem Rep DelBene: GOP Tax Bill ‘A Bill of Callous Decisions and Missed Opportunities’ – Will Hurt Families – IAN HANCHETT18
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/11/18/dem-rep-delbene-gop-tax-bill-a-bill-of-callous-decisions-and-missed-opportunities-will-hurt-families/
CANADA FREE PRESS
— Apple diversity chief thrown overboard for advocating diversity – Matthew Vadum (DIERSEN: Apple should consider hiring Charles Bowsher. During the 1980s and 1990s, he had great success in wasting the careers of and getting rid of GAO’s employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://canadafreepress.com/article/apple-diversity-chief-thrown-overboard-for-advocating-diversity
NBC NEWS
— Who benefits? Mixed messages on the GOP tax plan – BENJY SARLIN (DIERSEN: Those who benefit take the standard deduction, that is, those who benefit do not pay lots of money on mortgage interest, real estate taxes, state income taxes, medical and dental expenses, and/or job-related education.)
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/who-benefits-mixed-messages-gop-tax-plan-n821891
NEW YORK TIMES
— The G.O.P. Is Fooling Itself on Taxes – DAVID LEONHARDT
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/18/opinion/sunday/republicans-taxes-middle-class.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Republican Party seems to have backed itself into a corner on tax policy. After the failure of their health care plan, President Trump and congressional leaders have understandably decided that they need a win. If they somehow fail to pass a tax cut, they will anger their base and their donors and look incompetent to swing voters. But the actual bill that the House passed last week — and the modestly different plan the Senate is considering — is a dreadful piece of policy. It would cause the deficit to soar and, as a result, probably reduce economic growth. It would also raise taxes for millions of middle-class families. And most Americans realize that the tax plan is dreadful. Only 16 percent of adults said they thought the plan would reduce their own taxes, according to a Quinnipiac poll released last week. On the same day the poll came out, several Republican senators criticized the plan, which suggests it may be in jeopardy.)
WASHINGTON POST
— The House tax bill unleashes a dangerous avalanche of campaign cash – Editorial
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-house-tax-bill-unleashes-a-dangerous-avalanche-of-campaign-cash/2017/11/18/203707fc-c8b6-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html
NEW YORK POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
https://nypost.com/2017/11/18/americans-worry-that-talking-about-trump-talk-will-ruin-thanksgiving-dinner-poll/
BOSTON GLOBE
— Make sure to read the fine print on the GOP’s dubious tax reform plans – Editorial
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2017/11/17/the-dubious-details-that-bedevil-tax-reform/1IwwtyTCqx54a5StGe7NnL/story.html
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
— The graying of America is stretching local tax dollars – Antonio Olivo
http://www.myajc.com/lifestyles/health/the-graying-america-stretching-local-tax-dollars/WHIt4xMe558o3axzZ4IpwM/
INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL
— No enthusiasm for cuts among those not taxed – Cecil Bohanon and Nick Curott (DIERSEN: How many in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois , and in America pay little or no federal income tax? Why is that?)
https://www.ibj.com/articles/66301-bohanon-curott-no-enthusiasm-for-cuts-among-those-not-taxed
BUSINESS INSIDER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say that the Trump administration’s extreme vetting plan is a ‘digital Muslim ban.’ What percent of those who want to take over America are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors?)
http://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-extreme-vetting-initiative-digital-muslim-ban-2017-11
— Tax filers in most states claim deduction (state and local taxes) targeted by GOP – AP
http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-tax-filers-in-most-states-claim-deduction-targeted-by-gop-2017-11
ALLENTOWN MORNING CALL
— Middle class, poor harmed by GOP tax plan
http://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/mc-dunn-tax-bill-medicaid-cuts-20171118-story.html
COURIER & PRESS
— House tax reform bill will discourage home buying, local officials say – John Martin (DIERSEN: Mortgage interest and real estate taxes being deductible a) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972 when I was 24 years old, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976 and b) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984.)
http://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2017/11/18/house-tax-reform-bill-discourage-home-buying-local-officials-say/877369001/
