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Dear Editor:
An analysis of jobs data confirms what
I have been saying for two years -- the Illinois economy is heading
in the wrong direction!
Statistics from the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Conference of State
Legislatures show that Illinois is 49th out of 50 states in terms of
jobs gained since January of 2003. In fact, Illinois lost 40,900
jobs during that time period.
Compare Illinois' poor performance
to our neighboring states, which have all enjoyed job growth since
January 2003: Missouri, plus 4,700 jobs; Iowa, plus 16,500;
Kentucky, plus 21,300; Wisconsin, plus 40,000; and Indiana, plus
54,400. If our job growth had kept up with national trends, we would
have gained more than 140,000 jobs and an estimated $380 million in
tax revenue to ease the state's budget crunch.
Clearly, the fiscal decisions and
policies implemented since Gov. Blagojevich took office are not
working. He implemented $160 million worth of state tax increases
for business; he raised the minimum wage well above that paid by
businesses in our neighboring states, increasing costs for
employers; and he instituted large fee increases that cost business
an additional $300 million per year. He has repeatedly raided the
Road Fund, delaying much-needed road improvements.
[to top of second column in this letter]
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 Illinois is dangerously adrift. Now
in its third year, the Blagojevich administration has yet to
demonstrate that it can run state government in a timely and
efficient manner. The governor is trying to tax his way out of a bad
budget situation -- which is only hurting business and threatening
jobs. We must continue to work toward cutting business costs,
opposing tax and fee increases, and ending the governor's raids on
dedicated funds. We need legislation and public policy that helps
employers, jobs and economic development.
Sincerely,
Bill
Brady
State Senator, 44th District
(Posted May 25, 2005)
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