A Jobs Governor?

by Kristina Rasmussen Governor Pat Quinn fancies himself the “jobs governor.” Let’s see if the numbers hold up. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quinn’s first month in office: February 2009 February 2009 employment: 6,035,873 Illinoisans February 2009 unemployment rate: 8.7 percent Quinn “jobs governor” claim: June 2010 April 2010 employment (latest available): 5,943,140 Illinoisans April 2010...

by Kristina Rasmussen

Governor Pat Quinn fancies himself the “jobs governor.” Let’s see if the numbers hold up. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Quinn’s first month in office: February 2009
  • February 2009 employment: 6,035,873 Illinoisans
  • February 2009 unemployment rate: 8.7 percent

• Quinn “jobs governor” claim: June 2010
  • April 2010 employment (latest available): 5,943,140 Illinoisans
  • April 2010 unemployment rate: 11.2 percent

We’ve been losing jobs hand over first during Quinn’s tenure. However, Quinn’s job-booster claim holds true–if you happen to be looking at the taxpayer-funded state payroll.

Are tax credits for new jobs the answer?

Quinn told the business organization he’s the “jobs governor” and knows how to lure new businesses to the state. He says he believes in targeted tax credits for businesses.

Leaving aside the many problems of relying on tax credits for economic growth, how about promoting a low, stable tax structure for everyone? How about not playing favorites with the tax code? How about notcalling for 50 percent and 33 percent hikes to the state income tax? How about enticing employers and workers back to the state with regulatory reform and tort reform?

Quinn won’t be a “jobs governor” until he figures out that sustainable job growth comes from the voluntary exchange of goods and services between buyers and sellers in the private sector–not government intervention and its “stimulating” projects like $173,824 for weatherizing eight brand new Ford F-150’s in Madison County.