Gov candidates talk taxes and jobs in tepid debate

[October 15, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD -- The state's second gubernatorial debate leading into the 2010 general election touched upon the economy, education, health care and public safety, but the candidates didn't stray far from their talking points.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, were joined by Green Party candidate Rich Whitney at the studios of WSIU-TV in Carbondale on Thursday.

Moderated by Jak Tichenor, the debate was a mostly low-key affair filled with the candidates' well-rehearsed campaign messages.

Quinn reiterated that while the state needed to further tighten its belt and appeal to the federal government for more federal dollars, a tax increase would help preserve education and other state services.

"I supported the Taxpayer Action Amendment that would have a higher income tax on those who make more than $250,000. That money raised would be used for education and cutting property taxes," he said.

But Brady said a tax increase would hurt families who have to cut back on their own spending.

"Clearly the most dangerous place to be is between Gov. Quinn and a tax hike proposal. But the truth of the matter is, we cannot raise taxes. The people of Illinois understand that we need the courage to balance our budget without raising tax rates on Illinois families. It kills jobs," he said.

Whitney denounced both candidates as purveyors of "fantasy economics."

"Gov. Quinn proposed in his fiscal year 2011 budget the largest single-year cut to education in Illinois history. He just cut it by $261 million in July," he said. "And ... Sen. Brady is talking about a dime-on-a-dollar spending cuts, when you need 40 cents."

With the economy and the state's budget problems providing a thematic backdrop, Quinn tried to illustrate that he was the "jobs governor."

"Navistar that makes trucks and diesel engines, they are moving jobs from Indiana to Illinois. Ford picked our state to make 1,200 new jobs for the Ford Explorer. They picked, not Indiana, or anywhere else. They picked Illinois," he said.

But Brady claimed Quinn would push businesses and jobs away from Illinois with proposals for a tax increase.

"Businesses are looking for a government that will balance the budget without raising taxes, a government that will level the playing field and be pro-job by being pro-business," he said.

Brady also proposed tax rebates -- $2,500 the first year, $1,250 the second year -- for each job that a business creates, similar to a proposal that Quinn signed into law earlier this year.

The latest poll results show Brady may have seized momentum in the race.

In a poll conducted by Southern Illinois University and released earlier this week of 758 likely voters, Brady earned 38 percent support while Quinn earned 30 percent.

Whitney, Libertarian candidate Lex Green and independent nominee Scott Lee Cohen split more than 8 percent of the vote, while more than 22 percent of those polled did not pick any of the five candidates on the ballot.

On Thursday, Rasmussen Reports released a poll of 750 likely voters that showed Brady with 46 percent support and Quinn with 40 percent support. Fourteen percent were split among other candidates or could not decide.

There are three gubernatorial debates remaining, but they will feature only the two front-runners, Brady and Quinn.

The incumbent and his GOP challenger will debate next at Elmhurst College on Sunday evening. The debate is open to the public.

[Illinois Statehouse News; By KEVIN LEE]