There are two contrasting approaches to budget woes on display between neighboring states Wisconsin and Illinois. The story that caught the nation’s attention this week was the budget fight in Wisconsin, where Republican Governor Walker has proposed that some public sector employees contribute more to their benefits and that union bargaining power be reduced. Considering state liabilities to public sector employees, such debates are probably necessary, yet Wisconsin state Democrats have fled the state to avoid a vote.
Contrast Governor Walker’s proposal to that of Democrat Governor Quinn’s in Illinois. Illinois state Democrats have already passed massive tax increases, and now Governor Quinn is asking to borrow another $8.7 billion to help pay for a huge deficit. Instead of making the tough choices about cutting spending like Governor Walker is doing next door, Governor Quinn is daring Republicans to try to cut spending in Illinois. Meanwhile, Governor Quinn is pushing the tax, spend, and borrow approach.
We’ll see which idea works better.
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