2/1/2012 - TOPINKA: GET FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER FIRST
Reform needed now for state to lower taxes, as promised
SPRINGFIELD– Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka on Wednesday released the following statement in response to Gov. Pat Quinn’s State of the State address:
“First let me say that I appreciate the Governor laying out his agenda today. His speech was full of heart, and I think most of us appreciate his sincere concern for those who are struggling. But his approach is a little like putting desert on the table before the vegetables. We must get our fiscal house in order before we can even talk about more tax breaks and incentives. Instead of targeting certain segments of the population, we need to remain focused on the needs of the entire state. All of Illinois benefits from lower taxes and the jobs that a better tax climate will create. To that end, the ultimate goal of our leaders should be to put us in position to eliminate last year’s tax increase, while balancing our books.
“I stand ready to work with the Governor to tackle the greatest issues of our day: Medicaid, pensions, and a slowly recovering economy.”
