First raise taxes by 33%. This is to fund the schools or more correctly the teachers union.

Borrow another 4.7B leaving it to someone else to pay for.

After the November election raise taxes again.

Illinois Unemployment is at 11.3 percent over 1.5 higher than the national average. Over 200K jobs lost in one year.

Does anyone else think its time to leave. That the economic future of this state is non-existent. Just go to Michigan we will be like them in less than ten years.

I'm sure it'll turn around....but not because of the a-holes in office, that's for sure....

I saw this last night (or this morning?) on the news....all I could do was shake my head....totally makes sense to continue borrowing money and digging our debt hole deeper....what's the phrase about robbing Peter to pay Paul?? *shakes head again*

Taxpayer, when exactly are you moving? And where to?

Currently looking at Texas my company has offices there. Unemployment over three percentage points lower than Illinois. No State Income tax I'm sure thats just a coincidence.

I have one kid left shes a junior, so I'm looking at next spring to start making my move.

Figure state income tax will be over six percent.

Illinois will continue to shed jobs, except for those working for the government.

Get while the getting is good.

Like I said either you or your job will be leaving here.

Illinois is not going to turn around you can keep thinking that but thats what the suckers who stuck it out in Michigan and Ohio believed to. Now they have no jobs and they can't unload their houses.

Average home price in Detroit 6000.00

Better leave while you can.

If I am still living here in November [I'm looking at suburban Indianapolis], I am going to hold my nose and vote for Bill Brady.

The last GOP governor I voted for was Jim Edgar. I am embarrassed to admit that I voted for Hair Boy - twice. He had me fooled, big time.

Although I find Bill Brady's social positions repellent, if he can "chainsaw" [Quinn's description] the required cuts to get this state back on track, AND, I am still an Illinois resident?

He gets my vote.

The nightmare scenario for me, if I vote for Brady, would be him going all limp and Quinn on us, after promising to be Ax Man Brady.

Tip for Bill: Drop all the gassing puppies, creationism, anti-gay marriage and all those other 18th century notions and start POUNDING the state's FINANCES!!! And then POUND again! And again, and again.

OK?

No charge for that by the way.

Oh yeah, I was taken aback by his political amateurishness out of the gate. The guy has been in the legislature for 17 years and he comes out talking gassing puppies? Creationism?

I mean, just about everyone in this state is looking to get behind someone who has the cajones to start some serious "chainsawing" and here comes Bill - vote for me and you can be sure those filthy 'mo's won't be gettin' hitched!

quote:

Originally posted by taxpayer:
Better leave while you can.

I don't yet have a house to be concerned with = no equity for me to lose. I'm really not concerned with the economy being non-existent in the state. I'm not saying it will be what it was, by any means, but I believe it will hang in there. Ohio (at least near Cinci) still has a relatively good thing going on out there, as I understand it.

Another record for the Obama administration.

Quinn's plan is a band aid and nothing more.
It gets him re-elected and thats it.

So after our taxes go up by 33% and we have to pay off over 10B in debt. And we raise taxes fifty percent on top of that we're still looking at over 80B in unfunded pension obligations.

Do you see why you should leave. And leave as soon as possible.

Illinois has 11.3 percent unemployment well above the national average. It has lost over six percent of its jobs.

The higher and higher taxes will only lower employment both because people will have less to spend and because corporations and other industries will relocate. Or if they stay they will do far less hiring and pay less.


And as for Texas.
Texas Workforce at Record Levels

Four little words

No State Income Tax.

Nice whining which is pretty easy, but anyone have at least a hint of a solution?

How about a chainsaw?

One suggestion is a "progressive" pay cut. Or, the more you make? The bigger the cut.

All state employees under direct Springfield control making more than $250,000 per year get a 20% cut. And slide it down from there to some floor level, regionally adjusted of course, to something like $50K. Below that? No cut.

And then, freeze the cut pay until more revenue comes in.

Next, up the employee share of health insurance to the federal level [28%-33%], OR, offer lower-priced insurance [with higher deductibles and co-pays] if they still want it "free".

Next, scour the grants, subsidies and reimbursements, especially like the ones in the Piglet Book - with OTHER states getting Illinois tax money for all manner of unneccessary things.

But the BIG Enchilada? Immediately freeze all pension payouts at the current level, eliminate that 3% COLA kicker, add the two-tier system for new employees and, work to convert everyone else - still working AND retirees - to what they would be getting if they had a more normal, 401(k) style payout.

Rmmmm, Rmmmm, Rmmmm - * sound of chainsaw *

Whadda ya think? I'm certain there are even more things to cut before stiffing the schools.

Schools are going to take a major property tax haircut over the next 3-4 years when the Three Year Sales Ratio that the assessors uses moves into the abysmally bad years of 2008, 2009 and likely, 2010 and 2011.

By the time the 2012 EAVs come out, they are likely to be down by as much as 22% from the 2009 values. Maybe more.

Ouch!

quote:

Originally posted by darlili:
Taxpayer, when exactly are you moving? And where to?

Costa Rica with Rush. To get the socialized medicine.

We live off govt subsidies- whether we work public or private. Cut the govt spending and that means less $ in the private and public sector. Were screwed unless we can manufacture something that the rest of the world would like to buy.

quote:

Costa Rica with Rush. To get the socialized medicine.

That would be anywhere but here.

One-click macro. No time or trouble at all. But thanks for caring.

Taxpayer, how exactly does Texas fund things? I know it's always been a 'low tax, low service' sort of state, but I had the impression that user fees, etc., are how they make up not having an income tax - and that they're also struggling in how to provide for required services such as education.

BTW, how are the wife and kids feeling toward a move to Texas?

I know this post is off-topic but since the subject of Texas has come up, an expatriate Chicagoan guy I know who has lived in Texas since Harold Washington was mayor of the Windy City writes this with regard to the Texas water supply.

Note that he mockingly refers to the Lone Star State as "Texico".

quote:

Down here in this part of Texico, a man dying from thirst would actually think twice about drinking the water that comes thru the pipes. It smells and tastes like it was filtered thru Bella Abzug's funky drawers. It's actually that bad! You either have water delivered to the house or have a really good water filtration system connected to the faucet. There is actually a condition known as "West Texas Teeth". People who grew up and lived in that part of the state and drank the tap water have their choppers stained a dark brown color. Really ugly looking.

Bella Abzug? Anyone else remember her crazy hats?

[attempt to get back on topic]
Pat Quinn would look good sporting one of her floppers!
[/attempt to get back on topic]

quote:

Originally posted by Gus:
GESmom2, you better be concerned. The situation we face is no laughing matter.

I'm aware that it's no laughing matter....but I'm also aware that jumping the gun is exactly the type of behavior that caused the run on the banks just before The Great Depression. Sometimes the best option is to stick it out....that's what keeps the economy going, not the ones who are skittish and bolt at the first sign of impending danger (not to say that this is the first, but you get my point).

The economy....both on a national and local scale....is similar to the stock market. If everyone sells (or runs away), of course the stock (or the dollar)won't be worth anything....but if a small few stay and stick it out, they'll reap the increased future benefits thereof. It's all a roller coaster, albeit not very well orchestrated. That's exactly what happened in Michigan, too. When the GM plant closed, everyone panicked....the situation could've easily been resolved and their economy could've turned around, but Joe Taxpayer freaked out and got the H*** outta dodge.

I don't support Quinn one bit and, quite frankly, think the guy's a moron....does that mean that I think our entire state will end up completely demolished because of him? No.

Bio & BTN: Kudos for your posts. I find both of you to be highly intelligent and respectful individuals who bring up valid points....particularly in this thread.

Has Brady laid out any specifics re potential budget? Or still worried about gay marriage?