Monday, February 20, 2006

Lord Bountiful

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch analyized Governor Blagojevich's budget proposal in an editorial today and found a lot not to like.

Describing the governor as "Lord Bountiful", the paper believes a recovering
Illinois economy and a "burning desire to be re-elected" caused Blagojevich to offer fiscally unrealistic budget wishlist.

"lllinois was slow to recover from the 2001 recession, but the state economy finally slipped into gear last year. As a result, the state expects a $935 million increase in revenue. That will finance much of the governor’s wish list. The rest would come from tax hikes on business and smokers and, as always with this governor, some financial sleight of hand. "

The Post also questions the amount of money going to the Chicago Public Schools (100 million) at the expense of downstate schools. According to the editorial, the CPS are in great need of this money, but it is a question of fairness.

Fairness pops up at the end of the editorial when the writer gives Blagojevich his due for what is seen as his past successes, but still strongly advocates that "fiscal conservatives of both parties rein him in." All in all a very interesting editorial coming from the Post-Dispatch and worth reading in its entirety.

2 comments:

Bill Baar 10:32 AM  

I haven't met anyone yet who doesn't agree Illinois is living beyond it's means and Blagojevich is just trying to bamboozle the voters with this talk.

Sad thing everyone I talk to says bamboozle works.

I wish the Republicans get it together in the Primary and then come out swinging. I'm not really confident of that though.

Anonymous,  12:04 PM  

Bill,

I think your concerns are justified. It seems that fiscal discipline goes right out the door as soon as a party takes power. Many point to the Democratic dominence in Illinois and our borrowing as an example.

However, before Illinois Republicans make a major issue out of it they have to explain why they don't criticize the mind boggling budget deficits the Bush administration and a Republican Congress have foisted on upon the American people.

Not holding my breath on that one. That will happen right after Governor Blagojevich agrees with Washington D.C. Democrats that the culture of corruption is a good campaign issue for the fall.

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