Back in May I wrote about far too many Illinois politicians in general and our current governor, Rod Blagojevich, in particular. The gubernatorial election is coming up in a week and a half. Here are some thoughts on Blagojevich and his opponent, State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka:
In 1990 Illinois was in bad financial shape. Things were so bad the legislature had to pass a temporary increase in the state income tax, from 2.5% to 3%. This temporary increase was one of the big issues in the governor’s race that fall. Republican Jim Edgar said the increase needed to be made permanent but that he would not raise taxes more. His stand was not popular, but Jim Edgar was not going to lie to the voters. Enough voters appreciated Edgar’s honesty, and he won. After eight years in office, the state income tax was still at 3%, and the state was in great financial shape.
Unfortunately, the next two governors did not continue Jim Edgar’s fiscally responsible policies. Instead, they spent money like there was no tomorrow.
Tomorrow has now come. Rod Blagojevich could have done something to get Illinois out of the fiscal hole it was in four years ago, but he did not. Instead he made things worse by proposing, and getting the legislature to pass, new programs without having the money to pay for them. Now the State has $3 billion dollars of unpaid bills while Governor Blagojevich continues to promise more spending and no increase in taxes.
Fortunately, like in 1990, we have an honest candidate running this year. Judy Baar Topinka realizes that more of the same will not work. While her proposal to get more state revenue (a new, land-based casino) is not my preferred option, at least she is trying; at least she is being honest.
While Rod Blagojevich "balances" the state budget by just not paying bills (don’t try that at home) and promises he will not raise taxes in the future (you don’t have to if you aren’t going to pay the bills), Judy Baar Topinka refuses to promise to not raise taxes because she is being honest with the voters of Illinois.
In 1990 the voters of Illinois respected Jim Edgar’s honesty and elected him governor. The voters of Illinois need to do the same thing in 2006. They need to elect Judy Baar Topinka.
[Update (11/2/06): A slightly different version of this post was published in the Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest on November 1, 2006.]
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