Rauner, Quinn Square Off In Final Debate
CHICAGO (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican Bruce Rauner disagree on whether to impose a moratorium on new charter schools in Illinois.
The candidates for Illinois governor faced off Monday in their final debate before the Nov. 4 election.
Rauner is a supporter of charter schools, where teachers usually are not unionized. He says "we need options for parents." Rauner and his wife have given millions of dollars to charter schools.
The businessman from Winnetka also supports voucher programs, which typically provide public funds to help pay private-school tuition.
Quinn says Illinois should impose a three-year moratorium on charter schools so the state can determine if they perform better than public schools.
The Chicago Democrat says: "We need to invest in public education."
He opposes school vouchers.
On another front, the income tax increase Democrats approved in 2011 is set to drop from 5 percent to 3.75 percent on Jan. 1.
Quinn wants to make the current rate permanent. He says it's necessary to avoid "savage" cuts to schools.
Rauner wants to reduce the tax rate from 5 percent to 3 percent within four years. He says Quinn is using "scare tactics" about his budget plan.
Quinn also ripped Rauner for proposing a tax on some services, such as trash collection and advertising.
The governor has dubbed it "the Rauner tax," and says it will disproportionately hurt middle class people. Rauner says Illinois needs to widen its tax base.
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