Pat Quinn's Illinois: No Jobs, No Reform
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2010 Chicago – Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady today said Governor Pat Quinn’s firing of the state’s Executive Inspector General on the very day he learned of an ethics probe involving his chief of staff suggests he’s focused on politics, not jobs during our fiscal crisis.
“In the middle of a recession, people need a governor focused on creating jobs and cleaning up state government,” said Brady. “Instead, Governor Quinn has gone down the same road of his predecessors - ethical lapses, investigations, and protecting political insiders at taxpayer expense.”
“Illinois lost 20 thousand jobs last month alone,” he said. “This latest revelation proves we won’t ever solve our fiscal crisis under a governor consumed by politics, not jobs,” he said.
Questions over the firing of the state’s top ethics official are the latest in a string of published reports that call into question the Governor’s commitment to government reform, and the priorities of his Administration.
Previous examples include:
· Secret pay raises for political appointees, including his Budget Director
· Questionable use of official state time and resources for his political campaign
· Supporting the honesty and integrity of convicted Governor Rod Blagojevich months after federal officials revealed their investigation
· Quietly signing a video poker bill to allow known criminals into gambling against the recommendation of the Gaming Commission
· Failing to support the recommendations of his own reform commission
· Keeping a majority of Rod Blagojevich’s officials in top government positions
· Vetoing McPier reforms
Brady (R-Bloomington) is a small business owner who has represented his community as state Senator since 2002. He is running for governor to bring a clean break to Illinois and build a job-growing environment. More information can be found at bradyfor illinois.com.
Brady Outlines Jobs Plan for Illinois; Receives IMA Endorsement
Monday, Aug 30, 2010 Chicago: Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady today launched a two-day, statewide tour highlighting a comprehensive new plan to make Illinois more competitive, and to help create more jobs for families across our state.
Brady kicked off his jobs tour at Lapham-Hickey Steel in Chicago, where he also received the endorsement of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association.
“The greatest concern of the people of Illinois is jobs - and so is mine,” said Brady.
“The number one priority of the next Governor must be to enact pro-growth policies to help create new jobs, and to protect those we already have. My jobs plan is the starting point for doing just that.” he said.
Brady’s plan, available at www.bradyforillinois.com, focuses on four key areas:
A MORE STABLE TAX CLIMATE TO HELP JUMPSTART THE ECONOMY
· A two-year, $3,750 tax credit for businesses - $2,500 in the first year and $1,250 in the second year for every new job created;
· Modernizing a permanent Research & Development Credit to accelerate high-tech and green jobs;
· Repealing the death tax that hurts small businesses and family farms; Eliminating the state’s sales tax on gasoline
· Reinstating the Illinois Modernization and Retooling Program to help manufacturers reinvest in their plants and facilities to improve their competitiveness and stem the tide of lost manufacturing jobs.
· Opposing a Gross Receipts Tax
· Creating a Manufacturing Energy Tax Credit
· Improving the Economic Development For a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program (EDGE) tax credit by making it refundable
LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING
· A Border Community Task Force, led by Lieutenant Governor candidate Jason Plummer, to identify competitive obstacles and to undertake strategic initiatives to jumpstart economic growth and development at the border community level;
· The creation of a new Council of Economic Advisors to play a key role in leading Illinois back to prosperity by writing the Economic Development Strategic Plan and coordinating the reorganization of the failed Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity to create an effective economic development agency.
· An Illinois Capital Improvement Plan outlining what Illinois’ capital needs are, the schedule by which all needs will be addressed, the bonding method to be used, and the sources of funding; and
· Property Tax Relief to increase the state’s share of funding for elementary and secondary education without increasing taxes.
THREE: A FAIR PLAYING FIELD
· Tort reform, including reasonable caps on medical malpractice awards; and
· Improving our Workers’ Compensation system
FOUR: RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TO THE BUDGET PROCESS
Including a comprehensive drill-down audit of state government to review and assess how tax dollars are spent, and restore fiscal accountability in Springfield.
Brady said his administration would work with both Republicans and Democrats, with business, and academic experts to enact long lasting, pro-growth policies that put Illinois back to work.
“My administration will scrutinize every onerous rule and regulation, every tax, and knock down barriers to make Illinois a better place to do business,” he said.
Brady (R-Bloomington) is a small business owner who has represented his community as state Senator since 2002. He is running for governor to bring a clean break to Illinois and build a job-growing environment. More information can be found at www.bradyforillinois.com.
