The budget truths behind Quinn’s ‘honest’ budget address

Some of the tone of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s rhetoric was a move in the right direction during his budget address; but his strategy and plan for execution didn’t match. While painting an optimistic picture of what he has achieved during his tenure, Quinn outlined what he called an “honest” and “balanced” budget for fiscal...

Some of the tone of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s rhetoric was a move in the right direction during his budget address; but his strategy and plan for execution didn’t match. While painting an optimistic picture of what he has achieved during his tenure, Quinn outlined what he called an “honest” and “balanced” budget for fiscal year 2014. Here are the budget truths behind Quinn’s address:

Each of these budget truths highlights failures in Quinn’s budget address. But the single largest failure of all was that the governor failed to present a comprehensive plan to turn Illinois around.

Illinois cannot be economically prosperous until real pension reform is implemented. The state must also modernize the way it budgets and spends.

The Illinois Policy Institute’s Budget Solutions 2014 outlines a path that Quinn can use for an Illinois turnaround. Our plan offers comprehensive reform that solves Illinois’ pension crisis, returns $7 billion to taxpayers by repealing the 2011 income tax hike early and implementing spending reforms; pays down the state’s unpaid bills by 2016; reforms the state’s retirement system; and improves health care and education to ensure the state’s most needy residents receive the support they deserve.

Illinois’ future depends on this type of structural reform. It’s time for Quinn to begin supporting his rhetoric with real sustainable policy solutions.