Everyone seems to have an opinion on what the vote in Wisconsin means for national politics.
But beyond the issue of whether Scott Walker’s survival puts Wisconsin in play in November, his victory represents an example of the way politicians in our most pressed states are sorting themselves as they confront this long fiscal downturn. Increasingly they fall into two camps: those willing to undertake tough reforms in the face of severe fiscal restraints that don’t appear likely to improve anytime soon, and those who continue to put off the difficult decisions even as their states’ balance sheets deteriorate and investors grow wary of their budget instability.
It is ironic that the poster children for these two results live together. Wisconson’s progress has been widely reported under Walker’s tenure. Just to the south is Illinois which has taken the other approach: public sector union demands are met, taxes are raised across the board, and now conditions are getting worse rather than better.
#1,
Having been a lifelong resident of Illinois, I agree. A recent stiff
rise in the state income tax rate has 80% of that increase going to pay
retirement funds for state employees. Chicago has had an unbroken
string of Democratic mayors for the last 80 years, with the rest
of the state Democrats squarely under the thumb of the Chicago
politicians. The grossly underfunded pension funds for state
employees is a train-wreck in process. A “perfect storm” of
corrupt politicians, militant unions, and a docile electorate has
combined to drive out many businesses and hobble the
state’s finances. The Chicago Democrats have been in power
longer than the Soviet communists. It is high time to throw
the rascals out and eviscerate union power.
Dear Ich,
Perhaps you won’t be too offended when I tell you that when we drive from MS to WI through IL, we refer to your state as “the people’s Socialist Republic of Illinois!”.
In particular when we enter the southern region, it seems to be populated by a large number of police vehicles waiting to catch those who dare stray an inch over the 65mph limit having come out of Missouri at 70mph.