Beneath The Veil Of The Immigration Debate

During the debate on SB 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law, its more sophisticated critics argued that it was a flawed means to address illegal immigration. They voiced concerns that it could lead to racial profiling that would adversely effect Americans citizens and legal immigrants. Whether this would have come to fruition is uncertain, but as someone who strongly supports civil liberties, I recognize that this is a legitimate concern. Opponents of this law also questioned its constitutionality, arguing that Arizona was usurping the federal government's role as the sole author and enforcer of immigration law. While I was not completely convinced about the veracity of their argument, I respect those who seek to adhere to the letter and spirit of the constitution. Ultimately, I decided to give the critics of this and other tough enforcement measures the benefit of the doubt and assume that they understood the importance of immigration control and rule of law, but were simply concerned about the means used to achieve these ends. But, a closer look at some recent events cast some serious doubt on this premise. I am lead to believe that beneath the veil of nuanced policy debates lies a deeper divide in which one side fundamentally opposes the basic enforcement of existing immigration laws and the other seeks its realization.

Not surprisingly, the first and most blatant example occurred in our very own political cesspool, the State of Illinois. In 2008, Illinois became the only state to pass a law banning the use of E-Verify, which is "a free (and voluntary) program run by the United States government that compares information (veracity of a social security number) from an employee's Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 to data from U.S. government records. If the information matches, that employee is eligible to work in the United States. If there's a mismatch, E-Verify alerts the employer and the employee is allowed to work while he or she resolves the problem; they must contact the appropriate agency to resolve the mismatch within eight federal government work days from the referral date." Agreeing with the federal government, the US District Court overturned the Illinois law and now employers can voluntarily participate in this program. In 2009, the US Senate and House dropped a requirement that companies receiving stimulus funds must use E-Verify. And recently Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) warned President Obama that if a proposed bill for the expansion of this program passsed, he would lose Latino votes in the 2012 election.

Thus we see that the opponents of E-Verify fear it NOT because they believe it is ineffective and would lead to racial profiling, but rather because it does work. In other words, its opponents seek to block the enforcement of existing immigration laws. While Mr. Gutierrez's pursuit of immigration reform is legitimate, blocking the enforcement of existing laws erodes the rule of law and has an element of third world corruption.

An even more controversial is Secure Communities, "an American deportation program that relies on partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies." Participating states and localities share data of incarcerated individuals to determine their legality and facilitate the deportation of the most serious offenders. In this program, agencies are not asked to siphon limited time and resources to track down illegal immigrants (rather than serious criminals), but to cross reference the status of those they have apprehended for other violations. Primarily due to the efforts of Governor Quinn and Luis Gutierrez Illinois was the first state to withdraw from this program and was subsequently followed by Massachusetts, New York and several municipalities. Theis opposition is based on the allegation that a significant portion of those deported were either charged with a misdemeanor or no crime at all. During a no confidence vote against their appointed directors, Union of Immigration and Custom Enforcement disputed this claim as a wilful misrepresentation of the data. Either way, it's clear that Governor Quinn and his allies are opposed to the enforcement of existing immigration laws. Granted, on an emotional level I do find it deeply disconcerting to see the prosecution and deportation of individuals who are not serious criminal offenders, but the basic tenants of the rule of law dictates that we cannot selectively choose which laws we do or do not enforce. Until comprehensive immigration reform is enacted, Secure Communities must remain a vital bridge between federal and local law enforcement agencies.

Admittedly the argument that states should focus its limited resources on serious crime rather than harassing undocumented immigrants is appealing, however at a closer look it becomes apparent that this is an act of sophistry that bears no semblance to the modus operandus of state, local and federal authorities. First, they would never make the argument that we should cease enforcing the multitude of other burdensome rules and regulations, because of the presence of serious crime. No Chicago or Illinois politician has ever adcocated that we cease penalizing small businesses that do not comply with required licenses, permits and procedures, because we should be focusing our resources on murderers and rapists. Although the police department's priority is to prosecute dangerous criminals, a police officer will not think twice about heavily fining someone for parking a work truck on certain residential streets. I can think of no other federal law that Illinois's state and local officials opt out of, so clearly their considerations are political and not one of good governance.

But what of the claim that these laws should not be enforced because they impose undue hardships on good, hard working immigrants and their families? This line of argumentation is compelling, because each year, deportations ruin the lives of countless individuals and tear families apart. But, is this also not the case for the enforcement of 1001 other laws that few bother to question? Have they ever called for the non-enforcement of any other law or ordinance becauase its violators are "good and hard working"? If I am unwilling or unable to pay taxes, will the government not impose great hardships on my family and I, by seizing my assets, imprisoning me and separating me from my loved ones? Why do Quinn and Gutierrez not demonstrate similar sympathy for the countless families who are torn apart, who are economically ruined by imprisonment of the father or mother for the "crime" of smoking marijuana? If they are so concerned about imposing undue hardships on "otherwise hard working and law abiding families" and "siphoning time and resources away from the prosecution of more serious crimes," why do they aid and abet the more senseless aspects of the federal government's war on drugs? The answer is simple: their selective application of the law is driven by political, not economic or humanistic concerns. Specifically, they do not want to alienate the perceived interests and desires of a growing component of the democratic party: Latino Voters. The reason I use the qualifier perceived, is because unlike Quinn and Gutierrez, I have faith that the majority of my Hispanic neighbors are good, patriotic citizens whose focus is the economic and social welfare of all Americans, not narrow ethno-identity politics. And even though those of good conscience cannot help but be moved by the plight of undocumented immigrants, more than anyone, those who have left Latin America are painfully aware of economic, social and political cost that the erosion of the rule of law imposes on all, lessons we hope that more American politicians will heed.

The Source of Corporate Welfare or Why Governor Quinn Stinks!

Pictured Above: Governor Quinn consulting with his economic advisor.

When Governor Quinn made Illinois even less attractive to businesses, by substantially raising taxes, predictably more employers started moving out. Rather than address this issue by making across the board tax and regulatory reform, that equally apply to all employers, Quinn offered $100 million in selective subsidies (i.e. corporate welfare) to Motorola and will presumably do so when other major firms threaten to leave. Even companies that do not intend on relocating will be able to leverage the state. Fundamentally, this means that the tax burden will be shifted towards companies and individuals who are not politically connected. Truly Governor Quinn you stink!

$100 million keeps Motorola Mobility in Illinois

Illinois boosts tax incentives in 10-year deal to keep smartphone company in Libertyville

May 06, 2011

By Kathy Bergen and Wailin Wong, Tribune reporters

Gov. Pat Quinn put up more than $100 million in financial incentives to persuade smartphone company Motorola Mobility to keep its corporate headquarters in Libertyville — the largest package he has offered a company to date and a signal of how badly the state wants to hold on to high-tech jobs

To persuade the maker of mobile devices and cable TV set-top boxes to stay, rather than move to California or Texas, state lawmakers sweetened terms of its tax-credit incentive program as it has for automakers, including Mitsubishi, and truck- and engine-manufacturers, including Navistar International Corp.

Navistar landed a $64.7 million package last year to keep its headquarters in Illinois, the second-largest deal during Quinn's tenure.

The Illinois packages are among a rash of retention deals cropping up nationwide as the economic malaise keeps unemployment at painful levels.

Motorola Mobility's tax-credit package comes in at $10 million annually over the next 10 years, assuming it meets job retention and investment goals. The company also will receive $1.25 million in job-training funds and a $3 million large-business development grant to assist with capital expenses.

The deal, announced Friday, breaks down to about $34,750 for each of the 3,000 jobs Motorola Mobility has agreed to retain, considerably more than the $15,000 to $20,000 per job that is more typical when the state awards tax credits to keep or attract businesses.

"These are higher skilled, higher paying jobs than most projects," said a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Motorola Mobility, one of two companies that previously formed Motorola Inc., pledged to spend more than $500 million on research and development over the next three years, essentially what the company already had planned to spend.

But there is potential to grow that amount, some of which might have gone elsewhere if Motorola Mobility had relocated, Chief Executive Sanjay Jha said.
The company's decision was announced amid much fanfare at Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.'s Libertyville offices. Employees and senior executives wore red T-shirts emblazoned with "Motorola Mobility Illinois" and packed an auditorium to see Quinn sign the legislation enhancing its tax-credit package.

"We don't want folks to leave," Quinn said. "We want them to stay and grow with great companies like Motorola."

The legislation Quinn signed also applies to some companies in the cable TV, wireless telecommunications and computing fields, as well as to makers of inner tubes and tires. The latter could indicate other deals may be in the works.

Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a tax policy group, called the deal a prudent investment for the fiscally struggling state. "The best way for the state to stabilize its finances is to grow its economic strength," he said.

As to the richness of the deal, economic development expert George Ranney said, "Yeah, it's a concern, but these are pretty good jobs." Ranney is president of Metropolis Strategies, a business-backed policy organization.

Other economic development experts took issue with the package.
Typically, the Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, tax-credit program allows companies to use the credits against their state corporate income tax liability. But many companies pay no such taxes, partly due to difficult economic times and partly because an earlier revision in the tax structure slashed bills for multinational corporations.

Motorola Mobility's federal and state income tax liability represented less than 1 percent of its revenue in 2010, and it had no liability in 2009, according to estimates in company filings.

Under the legislation signed by Quinn on Friday, the company now has the option to use the credits against withheld employee income tax liability. In essence, the company can retain state employee income tax withholdings, said Warren Ribley, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First, a nonprofit that researches economic development subsidies, called the diversion of personal income tax revenue "an insidious recent development." About a dozen states have some form of it, and a couple more are debating the issue, he said.It is "like companies grabbing into employees' pockets," said LeRoy, adding that it also represents a new encroachment into state revenue streams.

"Shame on Motorola and other companies for asking for such big subsidies when they know governments are strapped," he said.
wawong@tribune.com

Why Protests In Wisconsin, But Not In Illinois?

In the last few months we have seen fierce protests in Wisconsin against Governor Walker, but none against Governor Patt Quinn of Illinois. While I am not particularly fond of Walker and his reforms, unlike Quinn he has not left Wisconsin in a deplorable fiscal state, with billions in unpaid bills and one of the worst credit ratings in the country. So, how do we explain this? I believe this is because the vast majority of people are not willing to protest on behalf of broad public interests. There are few direct incentives to march against policies that broadly harm general public welfare. Most people only indirectly feel the cost of Quinn's mismanagement and will not put 2 + 2 together when businesses start fleeing Illinois because of the governor's terrible policies. As unwise and nepotistic as the $100,000,000 tax break that Quinn offered Motorola is, it only comes to a few dollars from the wallet of each tax payer. This may anger many people, but not sufficiently to motivate them to march. In contrast, (for good or for bad) Walker's reforms directly hit the members of well organized special interests, providing them with sufficient personal incentives to protest. And as long as Quinn doesn't challenge public unions and other special interests, he can continue pushing Illinois to the brink of bankruptcy without inspiring a single protest.

 Illinois deep in debt, doesn’t pay bills

Crisis pushes businesses, organizations to edge of bankruptcy

Seth Perlman / Associated Press Writer

5/13/2010

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — For 35 years, frail senior citizens in southern Illinois could turn to the Shawnee Development Council for help cleaning the house, buying groceries or any of the chores that make the difference between living at home or moving to an institution.

No more. The council shut down the program Thursday because of a budget crisis created by the state of Illinois' failure to pay its bills.

Paralyzed by the worst deficit in its history, the state has fallen months behind in paying what it owes to businesses and organizations, pushing some of them to the edge of bankruptcy.

Illinois isn't bothering with the formality of issuing IOUs, as California did last year. It simply doesn't pay.

Plenty of states face major deficits as the recession continues. They're cutting services or raising taxes or expanding gambling to close the gap. But Illinois is taking the extra step of ignoring bills.

Right now, $4.4 billion worth of bills, some dating back to October, are sitting in the Illinois comptroller's office waiting to be paid someday.

Shawnee Development, for instance, is waiting on about $380,000 in back payments, officials say. That amounts to one-quarter of the council's budget for senior care in seven southern counties. "It makes me mad as heck," said Georgia Smith, a 66-year-old volunteer at the agency. Seniors, she said, "are used to paying our bills, paying our way."

Prisons refused bullets

Illinois' deadbeat reputation has created some embarrassing situations.

A supplier refused to sell bullets to the Department of Corrections unless it got paid in advance. Legislators have gotten eviction notices for their district offices because the state wasn't paying rent. One legislator said he had to use campaign funds to pay the telephone bill after service was cut off at his office.

The practice of simply putting off payments became commonplace under ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who liked to spend but adamantly opposed a tax increase to help cover costs. Before he was arrested and kicked out of office, Blagojevich's toxic relationship with legislators essentially paralyzed government, so bills just piled up.

The strategy also may have been helped along by Illinois' "anything goes" political culture. When voters believe government decisions hinge on campaign contributions and shady deals, they're less likely to expect responsible fiscal practices.

..Some schools have tried to shame Illinois into paying by posting signs announcing how much the state owes. The website IllinoisIsBroke.com details the state's financial mess. Associations hold rallies and write letters to the editor.

$6 billion in unpaid bills

The state still remains months behind.

Illinois is on track to end the current fiscal year with about $6 billion in unpaid bills. Budget proposals for the coming year — when the state faces a $13 billion deficit — assume the same thing will happen again.

The state owes money for all kinds of services provided in its name, such as medical care for the needy, home care for the elderly and disabled and day care for the working poor.

State government promises to reimburse all those organizations for at least part of their costs.When the state doesn't pay its bills, they're stuck trying to figure out how to make ends meet.

Most have spent their reserves and cut corners wherever they can, laying off employees, cutting back hours, requiring workers to take furloughs.

Recovery Resources, a substance-abuse treatment center in Quincy, is waiting for $200,000 from the state, which provides about two-thirds of the center's annual budget.

The center has cut 10 jobs over the past two years, said executive director Ron Howell. It shut down its services for adolescent addicts. People who call for help now wait three to four weeks for an appointment.
'This has numbed us'

"The situation, for us, has been almost normalized, and that's the scary part," Howell said. "If I'm not screaming on the edge of self-destruction, it's because this has numbed us."

Many agencies have borrowed money to keep the doors open, but service providers say that's getting harder to do — banks are more reluctant to lend money on a promise that the state will pay up someday.

"We have had members whose banks have told them it is the creditworthiness of the state of Illinois that is their primary concern," said Janet Stover, executive director of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.

State leaders have no plan to catch up on the bills anytime soon, not with a $13 billion deficit to tackle. The Pew Center on the States said last year that in percentage terms, Illinois' deficit is nearly as big as the gap in California, the gold standard for states in crisis.

Call for tax increase

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has called for an income tax increase, but any money from that would be allocated to other areas, not paying routine bills. Republicans want to tackle the deficit through spending cuts, which would also mean letting old bills go unpaid.

It's likely that no dramatic movement in either direction will take place until after the November elections.

Illinois government owes about $2.5 million to Sparc, a Springfield organization for people with developmental disabilities, said chief executive officer Carlissa Puckett.

Sparc has borrowed up to $1.1 million through a line of credit. Turning away clients would be the last resort, she said.

Puckett sounds matter-of-fact as she discusses scrimping on paper and pencils. "Why cry if nobody is going to listen to you?" Puckett said. "We're going to keep our head up and figure out how to make it work."

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Governor Quinn Issues Order 66

Governor Quinn (D - IL) has raised income taxes by 66% (from 3% to 5%) and corporate taxes by 68.5% (from 4.8% to 7%). I take a minority position among conservatives: in light of the $15 Billion deficit that Illinois faces, this was a necessary step. However, I do not look at this as a "brave act of fiscal responsibility" on the part of Illinois politicians, because their gross fiscal irresponsibility is what put us in this impasse in the first place. And before Mr. Quinn "feeds the beast" with even more of the fruits of labor of Illinois families and businesses, the proper course of action would have been to first enact major budget cuts, as well as political and pension reforms. If we are lucky, we will keep the businesses that we currently have, but rest assured, no sane businessman would choose to relocate to the high tax and spend state of Illinois.

To those who are not nerdy enough to be familiar with "Order 66," it is a reference to Star Wars.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/01/pat-quinn-illinois-tax-hikes.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0113/Illinois-tax-hike-Will-businesses-flee-to-Wisconsin

Hey Governor Quinn!

Hey Governor Quinn, Illinois's debt rating was just downgraded and we now have the second lowest rating in the country! This will mean higher interest rates when Illinois seeks a loan to plug its huge deficit. Now go put on your dunce hat and write 100 times on the blackboard "deficit spending is for dunces!" and "I will not tax and spend Illinois into oblivion!"

Moody's downgrades Illinois debt ratings

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday downgraded Illinois' general obligation bond rating to A2 from A1, citing the state's financial woes stemming from the U.S. recession.

Moody's cut other Illinois ratings, affecting about $24 billion of outstanding debt, including the state's Build Illinois sales tax revenue bonds, also cut to A2 from A1.

The downgrade gave Illinois the second lowest U.S. state rating from Moody's, with California having the lowest at Baa1, a Moody's spokesman said.

Moody's said Illinois has yet to take action to tackle a structural budget gap of more than $11 billion, equal to about 35 percent of its expenditures.

"The downgrades are the result of high structural imbalances and little time to effect modifications to the budget in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2010, as well as evidence of significant weakening in the state's 2009 results," Moody's said in a statement.

With an 11 percent jobless rate in October, Illinois was among half a dozen U.S. states with double digit unemployment.

Other states, such as California and Michigan have also suffered debt rating downgrades this year as the recession and unemployment punched holes in their budgets.

Moody's revised the outlook for Illinois' GO and related ratings to negative, "reflecting the continuing likelihood of large structural budget deficits, growing negative year-end fund balances, strained operating fund liquidity and mounting pressure from pension and retiree health benefit obligations."

Moody's put the state on review for a potential downgrade shortly after Illinois enacted its fiscal 2010 budget in July.

UNPAID BILLS

Other rating agencies took action on Illinois' GO rating this summer. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services rates Illinois AA-minus with a negative outlook it gave the state in August. Fitch Ratings dropped Illinois' rating two notches to A in July, citing the state's "large structural budget deficit."

With Illinois facing a growing backlog of unpaid bills, Governor Pat Quinn has proposed a $500 million cash-flow borrowing, which would add to the $2.25 billion in outstanding short-term borrowing the state must pay off in June.

A spokesman for Quinn did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the downgrades.

Illinois has slated a nearly $155 million Build Illinois competitive sale for Thursday, followed by a $375 million negotiated sale through Cabrera Capital Markets next week.

Ahead of the $530 million sale of Build Illinois bonds, S&P affirmed an AAA rating, while Fitch affirmed an AA rating based on strong debt service coverage provided by the sales tax.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B74SF20091208

Pat Quinn Saves The Day!

Governor Pat Quinn saves the day with the appointment of a statewide director of diversity!

Through diversity, Patt Quinn will improve the cost and quality of government construction contracts, while curbing clout and corruption! And of course a diversity czar will improve the lives of impoverished minorities and not just further enrich politically connected contractors!

Illinois hires first diversity director

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has named Darryl Harris the state’s first director of diversity enhancement.


In this new position, Harris will work to improve statewide opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, especially in construction programs.
Harris previously served as the deputy director of operations for the Capital Development Board, the construction management arm of state government. While there, Harris oversaw the development and implementation of more than $3 billion in capital projects.


http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/11/09/daily29.html

Chocoholics, Alcoholics & Hygiene Enthusiasts Unite!

Chocoholics, Alcoholics and Hygiene Enthusiasts unite against Governor Quinn's obscene tax increase on items as basic as shampoo, tooth paste, beer and candy! These highly regressive taxes will be especially felt by residents of Chicago who already face crushing city and county taxes. And of course this will further cement Illinois's exodus of businesses and the jobs and revenue that they create.

Stock up: Illinois Sales Taxes on Grooming Products, Candy and Alcohol Going up Tuesday

August 31, 2009

Today is a good day to schedule a shopping trip to Wal-Mart. Or Target. Or any local convenience store, for that matter.

Why? Illinois taxes on everyday items like shampoo, candy, and alcohol are going up Tuesday, September 1. Now is a good time to stock up on Pantene, peanut butter cups and pinot grigio.

Earlier this year, the Illinois general assembly approved a series of revenue increases to help pay for a $31 billion capital spending program. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the public works deal into law in July.

Here’s a rundown of how your shopping list could be impacted.

Starting Tuesday, soft drinks and candy will be taxed at the 6.25 state sales tax rate (plus any local tax add-ons). Until now, they fell under the 1 percent food sales tax. Soda, flavored water, sports drinks, gum, breath mints, and chocolate bars are some of the items that will be hit with higher taxes

Alcohol excise taxes are in line for a hike as well, even though Illinois’s rates are already high for the region. The excise tax on a gallon of beer is now 23 cents, up 24 percent from 18.5 cents a gallon. A gallon of wine will now be taxed at $1.39, up 90 percent from $0.73. The new tax on a gallon of spirits is $8.55, up 90 percent from $4.50. That’s equal to a 2.6-cent increase on a six-pack of beer, a 13-cent increase on a bottle of wine, and an 81-cent increase on a fifth of liquor.

Personal grooming items like shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste have traditionally been taxed under a 1 percent medication sales tax. They’ll now be taxed at the 6.25 state sales tax rate (local add-ons apply here, as well).

Consumers won’t be the only ones feeling the pain from higher taxes – producers of the targeted products are also concerned. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States estimates that the alcohol tax hikes will cause Illinois to lose $225 million in retail sales and 4,500 hospitality sector jobs statewide.

“People react to higher prices. These tax increases are going to put Illinois retailers at a huge competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis surrounding states,” notes David Ozgo, chief economist with the Distilled Spirits Council. “In nearby Indiana spirits are taxed at only $2.68 per gallon.”

“It’s even worse when you throw in the fact that unlike most localities, both Cook County and Chicago have their own separate taxes on spirits. It will come to $13.23 a gallon, which is highest rate of any major metropolitan city outside of states with a government monopoly on alcohol.

Rockwell Wirtz, president of a large beer, wine, and spirits distributor company, filed a lawsuit in the Cook County Circuit Court arguing that the capital plan was unconstitutional because the sweeping bill violated the “single subject” legislative requirement. The suit also focuses on the disproportionately higher tax increases on wine and hard liquor as compared to beer. An initial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1.

Beyond lawsuits, what other recourse options do consumers have?

“Illinoisans can always contact their state legislators to let them know that they’re tired of paying these taxes, they’re tired of being discriminated against,” said Ozgo. “There is no public policy reason for singling out beverage alcohol for special taxation.”

If you do make your way to the store on August 31 to stock up, be sure to check out before the stroke of midnight. That’s when Illinois turns into a more expensive place for consumers to shop.
Kristina Rasmussen is the Executive Vice President of the Illinois Policy Institute.

http://www.examiner.com/x-9994-Illinois-Public-Policy-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Stock-up--Illinois-Sales-Taxes-on-Grooming-Products-Candy-and-Alcohol-Going-up-Tuesday

Illinois Governor Patt Quinn

Pat Quinn Being Sworn In As The Governor of Illinois

"I Patrick J Quinn solemnly swear to accelerate the exodus of Americans from Illinois (net loss of 736,000 in the last decade) by raising income taxes by 50% (from 3.0% to 4.5%). Realizing that no single policy can ensure success, I will work with state, county and city officials to maintain our ranking as the state with the 11th highest property taxes in the county."

"And I solemnly swear to accelerate the exodus of jobs (175,000 in 2008) from the State of Illinois by raising business taxes by 66.7% percent (4.8% to 7.2%). In doing so I will ensure that we sink even lower in the rank of job creation (45th out of 50 states over the last 6 years)."

"I promise that throughout my reign as governor I will not blame our deficit on the 68% per capita increase in spending that we witnessed between 1998 - 2008, instead blaming it on a short fall in tax revenue, even though tax revenue increased by $7 billion between 1998 - 2008. And I will protect the great accomplishments of my predecessor Rod Blagojevich, such as:

-expanding Medicaid eligibility to 400% of poverty from 185%. So, families with incomes of up to $80,000 now can get taxpayer-supported health care.

-which has resulted in a 62.96% expansion of the state's medicaid rolls (from 1.7 to 2.7 million) between 2000 - 2008.

-allowing unfunded liabilities for the pension program to nearly double over the decade to $70 billion, in part because the state has routinely robbed the pension fund to finance current programs, much like the federal government raids social security.

-prompting a lawsuit by the Department of Justice by instituting a law that prohibited Illinois employers from using the E-Verify system."

Governor Quinn ended his speech by offering heartfelt thanks to the Illinois Electorate for the "mindless devotion that they have shown to the Democratic Party and the big government branch of the Republican Party..."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123759961761001591.html