Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn today proposed in his annual State of the State address today several new spending programs – including more spending on childhood education, technology in the classroom, MAP grants for college students, and a state foreclosure prevention program.
The following statements from Steve Stanek, research fellow at The Heartland Institute and managing editor of its Budget & Tax News, may be used for attribution. For more comments, refer to the contact information below. To book Stanek on your program, please contact Tammy Nash at [email protected] and 312/377-4000. After regular business hours, contact Jim Lakely at [email protected] and 312/731-9364.
“All my life I’ve thought I’ve lived in the Land of Lincoln. In today’s State of the State address, Gov. Quinn convinced me I live in the Land of Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows.
“He saw no need to say anything of substance about the state’s pension and Medicaid systems, which his own budget director just a few days ago told the Associated Press are growing faster than state revenues. He proposed a child tax credit that would save a family of four $100 a year, ignoring the income tax increase he signed last year costs the typical Illinois family of four $1,500 a year.
“He spoke of more spending when the state will end this fiscal year with more than $9 billion of unpaid bills. He ignored a report issued this week by the Civic Federation predicting nearly $35 billion of unpaid bills in five years if things continue as they are. He spoke of targeted tax credits, ignoring they would not be needed if the state were more fiscally responsible.
“All is sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows in Quinn’s State of Illinois.”
Steve Stanek
Research Fellow, Budget and Tax Policy
The Heartland Institute
Managing Editor, Budget & Tax News
[email protected]
815/385-5602
The Heartland Institute is a 28-year-old national nonprofit organization with offices in Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; Austin, Texas; Tallahassee, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio. Its mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems. For more information, visit our Web site or call 312/377-4000.
