LETTERS
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TOURISM KILLER Is killing tourism in this state a good businessman’s action? Any state you name with low taxes has a huge tourism business. Rauner is constantly doing things that hurt tourism in this state. Not all of us can become millionaires investing state employees’ retirement money in out-ofstate nursing homes in Florida, for instance, like Rauner. Some people actually work for a living. Some people are local business owners who need help.
Instead of helping the corporations and hedge fund mangers get tax breaks they do not need, how about helping the local businesses that make money off of Illinois citizens? Nancy Long Springfield
A MAN WHO GETS IT I listened to the governor talking about the budget, and it is about time we have a man on top that gets it. Bravo, sir!
In speaking to the shortfalls in our economy, he did not blame spending or try and tax us more. He said, “We need to grow our economy.” Finally, someone gets it.
If he manages to keep business here in Illinois and makes it attractive enough to bring more companies and more workers to Illinois, the money/taxes will follow.
You have to get lean. Keep staff and spending to a minimum and reduce waste. Reducing waste in Illinois is a Catch-22, as there are a great number of people who benefit from some of that waste.
When the well runs dry you can’t grab the hose from the house and fill it back up because there are no resources in reserve. Illinois has seen so many companies close their doors or move away. Where can the revenue come from? When businesses close and leave the number of people who need help goes up, and there is less to go around.
Like the teeter-totter at the playground, one side is too heavy for this to work, and there has to be a change. I appreciate that we finally have a man in office that gets it. Craig Williams I Springfield
SPRINGFIELD POWER STRUGGLES Gridlock in Springfield is nothing new to those who follow Illinois politics. Still, in a time of austerity and uncertainty, the current inaction and lack of resolution has been frustrating to watch. We all understand that times are tough, resources are limited and it’s difficult to reach agreement on spending priorities. Even so, we need leaders on both sides of the aisle to come together to achieve an important goal: passing a sensible state budget.
This month’s crisis in Springfield resulted from an inability to find consensus in key problem areas: pension reform, worker’s compensation benefits, property taxes and implementation of the governor’s “Turnaround Agenda.” Debates over controversial issues will always persist, but the gravity of those issues shouldn’t keep us from passing an operating budget on a reasonable timeline. If a budget is not agreed upon by July 1, the state will be officially operating with no budget or funding directive, resulting in a potential inability to legally pay state employees.
A transparent government sets deadlines, makes information readily available, and communicates with voters. An accountable government sticks to those deadlines, makes difficult decisions and keeps its focus on constituent service. Illinois voters deserve both transparency and accountability, but finger pointing and political positioning leave voters stuck in the middle of a fight they cannot win. We expect more from our elected officials.
It’s time for courage, compromise, and action at the state level. There is simply too much at stake to treat this budget gridlock any other way. Hon. Susan Garrett Chairman, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Chicago David Melton Executive Director, ICPR, Chicago
ICPR is a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit organization advocating government transparency, accountability and reform to serve the citizens of Illinois.
