|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, October 30, 2009 10:30 PM CDT
OUR VIEW: Election, not budget, on state leaders’ minds
By the JG/T-C EDITORIAL BOARD
editorial@jg-tc.com
A consistent theme through the economic times we live in is that consumers are more cautious. They are selective about what they buy. They are saving more.
We see this in many of our own homes, as well as homes of friends and neighbors. The attitude and approach is different than it was, as families and businesses move away from some of the assumptions made just a couple years ago.
Government bodies are in the same boat. Many are prioritizing spending, and finding places to cut. They are looking at everything, making difficult but necessary choices.
Just this week, our neighbors in Missouri announced $300 million in cuts planned for the remainder of the fiscal year that ends next summer, cuts necessary because of revenue falling below projections. The story is the same in other cities and states.
Then we come to Illinois.
Revenue is down. Needs and financial commitments are growing. And now we have the latest answer from Springfield, borrow another $900 million, have the governor delay further into next year his budget, and keep on spending and borrowing.
The planned additional borrowing is on top of $11 billion or so in state debt, a number that fluctuates depending on who you listen to but all agree is a big number.
We don’t sense any urgency coming out of Springfield. In fact, it appears that it is more important to have a primary election than it is to do anything serious about the budget.
The Illinois solution is to dig the economic hole deeper and find a solution later.
Of course, a big part of Gov. Pat Quinn’s solution is to raise the income tax. He surely realizes that one reason that revenue is down is because incomes are down, profits are down, and thus individuals and firms have less to tax.
We were hopeful that the self-destruction of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich would result in change to a more sensible approach to Illinois government. Quinn had a great opportunity when he became governor.
Unfortunately, Illinois continues to dig its hole. When things are put up to be cut, they are political footballs that are sure to meet heavy resistance, such as grants to the financially-neediest college students, or closing historic sites that offer affordable, close-to-home options.
Friday was the last scheduled day for the General Assembly’s fall session. And now it’s back to the campaign trail for Quinn and others.
While the candidates are out asking for your vote, Illinois moves even further behind neighbors like Indiana and Kentucky, making it even less likely of positive developments here in an increasingly competitive world.
If only our leaders would compete as hard to find solutions to the state’s financial crisis as they do to get elected.
Add your comments
Not already registered?
Then click Here.
Comment policy:
JG-TC.com encourages readers to engage in civil conversation with their neighbors. Comments that are submitted are not posted to the site immediately. They go into a queue to be moderated and may take several hours to be reviewed. Comments posted on Saturday may not be reviewed until Sunday afternoon.
In order to keep the page a set width, long lines (mostly long links) will be chopped. Try putting spaces in your links or consider using tinyurl.com to make a smaller link that you can include.
We will never edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to remove comments that violate our code of conduct.
No comment may contain:
* Potentially libelous statements; such as accusing somebody of a crime, defamation of character, or statements that can harm somebody's reputation.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults, threats, harassment or inciting violence.
* Commercial product promotions.
If you have any questions, please contact our moderator.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mama says wrote on Nov 1, 2009 1:41 AM:
What do the poor do? They figure the
utilities of cips, electric, water,
taxes monthly, insurance on home and vehicles, food, medication, when lack money it is the food budget that suffers and people head to the PANTRYS,
Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and churches for help. GAS is a problem if working the minimum wage jobs. Going to medicaid and signing for food stamps can be a laugh when told they MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY. WE had to cutdown on medications because no money. We knew to take the diabetic medications, heart, highbloodpressure, water pills,
or worse health issues would follow.
Cutting down on the electric usage and gas usage created them raising the rates, and getting us even in a worse hole. The phone, net, cable went higher so was told. All had an added Illinois tax of $15 on each one. That is $75 more a month right there. The poor cannot pay for Part D nor medications full prices either because of NO MONEY. When we poor we cannot borrow and get credit cards which makes us poorer. What is the STATE thinking of borrowing all of this money with us as taxpayers have NO MONEY?
It is time politicians giveup the big bucks, big meals, big limo rides, big plane trips, big fancy suits and shoes, and live like the POOR FOLK for awhile.
I am sure they run utilities on jobs when could shutoff some lights, cut the thermostat heat to 65 like us and wear longjohns, sweaters, and insulated socks and brown bag their lunches.
We have washed laundry in bathtub, read by candles, when no electricity so we can again. The poor giveup all, these politicians giveup nothing.
Having vegg soup, chili, meatloaf if lucky, mac and cheese, eggs, and we feel lucky to eat at all at times.
WE ARE FEDUP WITH POLITICIANS who live the high life and give us nothing back.
Do we need all the politicians to run Illinois? Seems like a lot could GO since not helping things AT ALL.
I am remembering when time to VOTE.
We the poor are more than the rich so the POLITICIANS be AWARE. "