Fritz Pfister

The state legislature has finally done their job by crafting a budget bill, and sending the bill to governor Blagojevich. The governor has not said whether he will sign the bill, veto the bill, or leave the bill sit on his desk for 60 days when it would automatically become law. What Blagojevich has said is that the bill contains too much pork, no capital spending plan, and no universal health care. He called the legislature into special session this weekend to address those issues. Blagojevich was ignored.

What the budget bill does contain is a $600,000,000 increase in education funding, the largest increase in history. The funds for education are coming from a projected increase in state tax revenues of over $800,000,000 resulting from economic growth. Illinois has the 4th largest state economy, however ranks 48th in job growth. It is a miracle that under the Blagojevich administration; that taxpayers, and Illinois businesses could produce such revenue growth. During Blagojevich’s first term he raised fees (taxes) on business to the highest levels in history, and during his second term proposed the largest tax increase in state history. A gross receipts tax of 7.8 BILLION dollars, was soundly rejected by the state legislature. Blagojevich continues to press for his universal health care “Illinois Covered” by placing a 1.8 BILLION dollar payroll tax on small business. There appears to be little support in the legislature to increase taxes.

If you looked up ‘tax and spend democrat’ in the dictionary, you would see a picture of Blagojevich. The economic uncertainty continues in Illinois due to Blagojevich’s actions, or lack thereof. Who knows what the governor will do? He won’t say.

Too bad there is not a recall provision in the Illinois constitution. Blagojevich would be like an Albert Pujols homer, outta here quick! For the nation to even be considering a tax and spend democrat for the presidency, they only need look at Illinois to witness the results of such a philosophy. Just the proposal of the GRT put the Illinois economy in limbo. Thank God the legislature has not allowed the governor his latest tax proposals. The impact upon the Illinois economy would be devastating. Blagojevich already is holding the economy hostage with his inaction on the budget bill, but that would be nothing compared to what would result from his tax and spend proposals.