Governor Budget Address Offers No Solutions for State’s Problems

      Fortner stated that Illinois’ overall unemployment rate of 5.2% is now the 13th worst in the nation. In addition, unemployment is rising here in Illinois, up from 4.0% in November 2006 to 5.2% in November 2007. This was the largest unemployment increase among the 50 states.

     “The Governor spoke about negative trends in the national economy, and these are trends that affect us now, not in one or two years. I hoped to hear about targeted assistance for business this year, or tax relief for the rising price of gasoline, but it wasn’t there.” Fortner said, “We need programs that can generate jobs and improve the Illinois economy when the economy is down.”

     The Governor also proposed to raise revenue is by selling the lottery which is projected to create a $600 million shortfall for education funding.

     “The biggest problem with the Governor and the Democrat leadership in this state is they can’t control their spending. Under their rule, spending has increased by $5.2 billion since FY03. That is a 23% increase over 5 years. If we didn’t have this new spending, the state would not be in red,” Fortner said. “I’m also extremely concerned by the Governor’s proposal to sell the lottery. The lottery provides $600 million in reliable state funding for education. How will the Governor make up for the shortfall – once again his policies are light on details and don’t take into account the bigger picture of providing responsible solutions for the state.”