July 9, 2012

"Here's a tale of two states that should make Hoosiers glad they live on the east bank of the Wabash..."

"-- at least when it comes to paying for state government."
Last week in Indiana, the Daniels administration announced that the state's budget reserves had topped $2 billion, enough to trigger $100 rebates for individual tax filers and $200 for couples who file jointly. In total, the state will give back about $300 million to taxpayers....
Meanwhile, in Illinois...
Last year, Illinois lawmakers scrambled to close a budget shortfall estimated at $11 billion. Despite substantial tax increases and deep cuts in services, the state ended the 2012 fiscal year, which closed June 30, with a shortfall of more than $8 billion. In fact, Illinois' auditor general recently released a report describing the state's deficit as the nation's worst based on the percentage of revenue.
I'm observing this from the next state over, Wisconsin, where we've been fighting over which of these 2 states we'd prefer to resemble.

69 comments:

Geneo said...

HMMMMM!! Thinking Thinking...which would I want emulate??

ndspinelli said...

Comparing any state w/ Illinois always reminds me of the phrase, "Damning w/ faint praise."

Brian Brown said...

Every state that elected an R Governor in 2010 has seen a decline in the unemployment rate.

In light of that fact, our President looks even more pathetic.

kjbe said...

I'd wish to not resemble either one, thank you.

garage mahal said...

How about resembling Wisconsin.

F said...

Clearly, the Obama solution would be to take Indiana's surplus and give it to Illinois rather than returning it to Indiana taxpayers. It's called fairness. That way everyone is a winner!

Wince said...

And Indiana did it... apparently with money to burn.

Government overpaid $14 billion in unemployment benefits

Overpayments are a rampant problem in the unemployment insurance system. The federal government and states overpaid an estimated $14 billion in benefits in fiscal 2011, or roughly 11% of all the jobless benefits paid out, according to reports from the U.S. Labor Department.

Of the states, Indiana was the worst offender, making more improper payments than it did correct ones.

traditionalguy said...

It is beginning to resemble a Communist East Germany right next to a Capitalist west Germany.

edutcher said...

Aside from garage, who else wants WI to be like IL, I wonder?

Jay said...

Every state that elected an R Governor in 2010 has seen a decline in the unemployment rate.

List below

Kansas
Maine
Michigan
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Alabama
Georgia
South Carolina
South Dakota
Florida
Nevada
Iowa
Ohio

Many went for Choom last time.

Be interesting to see how many make the same mistake again.

the wolf said...

I know it's a rhetorical question, but the fact that the Illinois model is operating in Washington DC right now should give everyone a first clue.

Brian Brown said...

Aside from garage, who else wants WI to be like IL, I wonder?

70%+ of people in Madison, I'm guessing.

If you work for the state of ILL or City of Chicago, how would you ever guess there is a problem?

garage mahal said...

Aside from garage, who else wants WI to be like IL, I wonder?

I don't want to be like IL. Or Indiana. Or Mississippi.

Ann Althouse said...

"How about resembling Wisconsin."

That's the kind of vague bullshit Tom Barrett used as his campaign theme in the recall election.

He lost.

Big.

He lost that other time too.

The Elder said...

Most of the west bank (West Side) of the Wabash River is in Indiana, not Illinois. Obviously, you didn't consult your resident authority on Hoosier geography before this post. If you don't have a map, you can check his hat.

EVERY Hoosier is glad not to live in Illinois!

chickelit said...

Clearly, the Obama solution would be to take Indiana's surplus and give it to Illinois rather than returning it to Indiana taxpayers. It's called fairness. That way everyone is a winner!

I believe the French call that lazy-fair economics: liberté, égalité, pauvreté

Triangle Man said...

@edutcher

Compared to what? Every state has experienced a decline in unemployment since the peak (around Februrary 2010 for most states).

X said...

qoutes holmes, quotes.

gk1 said...

I keep expecting Illinois to put up a wall to keep "facist bandits and their provocateurs from destroying the Socialist Republic of Illinois" But then again that would require effort and an ability to organize construction. Something you just don't see in the blue states these days.

Tim said...

"... which closed June 30, with a shortfall of more than $8 billion. In fact, Illinois' auditor general recently released a report describing the state's deficit as the nation's worst based on the percentage of revenue."

Keep on voting Democrat, people.

Insolvency is overrated as a fear tactic.

So too is cannibalizing the tax base, and strangling businesses with excessive regulations.

Who needs jobs?

There's always unemployment insurance, lol!

Tim said...

"That's the kind of vague bullshit Tom Barrett used as his campaign theme in the recall election."

Indeed, but not much more vague than our president.

After you get past "more spending, more regulations and higher taxes," the Democrat playbook gets mighty thin.

chickelit said...

garage mahal said...
How about resembling Wisconsin.

Ah but which Wisconsin of which era?

Tell you what arage, your party starts running people approximating Proxmire not into reprising Progressive failures, I might consider encouraging a switch.

virgil xenophon said...

The last time the Prairie State had decent state government was when my HS classmate Jim Edgar (R)was Governor..

garage mahal said...

That's the kind of vague bullshit Tom Barrett used as his campaign theme in the recall election.

He lost.

Big.

He lost that other time too.


So....that means Wisconsin voters......? What?

Peter V. Bella said...

The Democrats bankrupted Illinois. They created more spending for no reason. They raised our income taxes for no reason. They did not cut spending. Governor Quinn is just another Democratic Machine hack.

cubanbob said...

Jay said...

Every state that elected an R Governor in 2010 has seen a decline in the unemployment rate.

The sad fact is the voters will credit Choom and not the governors.

jacksonjay said...

God Bless Meade!

Unknown said...

This kind of comparison should be part of Romney's campaign. I think even CA people are beginning to see the light.

Tim said...

"So....that means Wisconsin voters......? What?"

Reading is hard.

Comprehension is harder still.

Good luck.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...

So....that means Wisconsin voters......? What?


Don't go for your silly bullshit.

That it is fun to watch you stagger through reading comprehension and logic.

edutcher said...

Triangle Man said...

@edutcher

Compared to what? Every state has experienced a decline in unemployment since the peak (around Februrary 2010 for most states).


No, some have flatlined, some (NY) have actually gone up.

cubanbob said...



The sad fact is the voters will credit Choom and not the governors


No, that's not happening. Some governors are doing a better job of ballyhooing their accomplishments than others, but many are getting the credit.

cubanbob said...

@edutcher

Never overestimate the intelligence of an electorate that was willing to elect a Choom in the first place. An electorate that was willing to believe Choom over their lying eyes four years ago is quite capable of doing so again.

garage mahal said...

That it is fun to watch you stagger through reading comprehension and logic.

If you are making the claim that Wisconsin voters stepped into the voting booth and pulled the lever for Indiana, then make it I guess.

edutcher said...

As I say, many of the governors are making sure they're getting the credit.

I just wish Kasich was a little more aggressive on that score.

He's a good governor and I'd hate to see the union slugs push him out in '14.

Rusty said...

garage mahal said...
That's the kind of vague bullshit Tom Barrett used as his campaign theme in the recall election.

He lost.

Big.

He lost that other time too.

So....that means Wisconsin voters......? What?



Your social model economic dreams are bullshit.

wv-USProg Suits you lit a T.

Brian Brown said...

Doing just fine:

Illinois companies are planning to eliminate 1,374 jobs in the next 60 days, according to the latest monthly Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification report released by the state.

Michael K said...

The California legislature just passed a bond issue to build the choo-choo. Brown will sign it. The rest of the state is tied to the tracks like Pauline.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...

If you are making the claim that Wisconsin voters stepped into the voting booth and pulled the lever for Indiana, then make it I guess


Hilarious.

Hey, where is all your outrage about jobs and budgets? I mean, Illinois is spectacularly shitty regarding both, yet you're utterly silent.

Why would that be?

MadisonMan said...

Hooray for Federalism?

(As long as Uncle Sam doesn't step in to save Illinois. I look forward to the Tribune Headline: President to Cook County: Drop Dead)

MadisonMan said...

You know what else I like about that headline: The sub-head: Stocks Skid, Dow Down 12.

12! A mere blip these days!

garage mahal said...

Hey, where is all your outrage about jobs and budgets? I mean, Illinois is spectacularly shitty regarding both, yet you're utterly silent.

Why would that be?


Maybe because I don't live in Illinois, Einstein?

bagoh20 said...

Garage,
If you just let your mind take over, you could learn from all the mistakes of history and become a wingnut - that's how most get there. Then you would feel great about the news and everything you learn, instead of crappy. Besides that, you would get the deep respect of people here. Most satisfying is that you would be right for a change. Imagine how wonderful and new that would feel.

bagoh20 said...

You know you don't really want Obama to win. It will just further prove the foolishness of leftist ideas. If Romney wins, it's unlikely he can reverse the damage fast enough to fix anything, so even as a leftist, you would still win. An Obama win is bad for everyone, especially the left, and Dems.

garage mahal said...

I'd rather join Scientology. Has a better chance of being real.

exhelodrvr1 said...

Which state was Obama from?

God, An Original A-hole said...

I am impressed with Indiana.

Thinking of maybe even buying some farmland there... for when the collapse comes and you need to grow your own crops and defend yourself with force against socialist authoritarian Leftist and confiscatory authoritarian Rightists.

Also impressed with Indiana's recent right to defend yourself against the illegal actions of the police bill. Especially since the so-called "police" will shortly be the brown-shirt army of the aforementioned Leftists and Rightists...

Triangle Man said...

@edutcher

New York's unemployment is below the early 2010 peak. Unemployment there is up from last year, but this pattern is unique to New York, and is not something you could reasonable generalize to states with Dem. Governors. The only other state with a similar pattern would be Louisiana (sort of). But don't take my word for it, you can see for yourself in Google's Public Data viewer. Maybe you can find something more convincing.

Triangle Man said...

Which state was Obama from?

Malaysia, right?

MrCharlie2 said...

Gee, wouldn't it be nice if Indiana gave some of that surplus to Illinois. After all, they have more than they need.

Anonymous said...

Bagoh, somehow I don't think Garage cares if he has the respect of conservatives here (I suspect he is his own man) but I may be wrong.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't it Kasich that called a cop an "idiot" for giving him a ticket?

test said...

Why choose? The left will spend like Illinois and stick Indiana with the bill.

See the euro to see how this turns out. Greece? Who cares about Greece when we can wait in line for healthcare for FREE.

___________________________________

God, An Original A-hole said...
I am impressed with Indiana.

Sounds nice. If accomplishments mattered more than leg-tingles maybe their governor would have a shot at the presidency.

God, An Original A-hole said...

@Marshal -

Daniels wisely realized that American Republicans select their candidate in an Americal Idol style, not with mindful regard of demonstrated principles and performance. Knowing he never had a chance in such an environment, Daniels wisely decided not to run.

Those who vote for Romney are just supporting this system. He's the American Idol candidate. Vote for Romney and you are endorsing the mainstream media and social-engineering and this whole fucking corrupt process...

test said...

"Those who vote for Romney are just supporting this system."

That analysis resulted in Obamacare. It doesn't suit me to watch the country degrade in order to drive change.

Tim said...

"Those who vote for Romney are just supporting this system. He's the American Idol candidate. Vote for Romney and you are endorsing the mainstream media and social-engineering and this whole fucking corrupt process..."

As if, for even a moment, the alternative wasn't at least $1 trillion per year worse.

Who knew "God" had such a weak grasp of reality?

I'm Full of Soup said...

What state is Kasich from Allie?

Anonymous said...

Ohio, why?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

He's just another Republican Governor that was controversial, wasn't I allowed to mention him? Did I break a thread rule, AJ?

Michael K said...

" Knowing he never had a chance in such an environment, Daniels wisely decided not to run."

Daniels had a unique problem with becoming a candidate. His wife had left him for another man and abandoned their children. She later returned to him and they have remarried. The whole story speaks to his virtues and stability but I don't blame him for avoiding the Obama publicity machine which has been sabotaging GOP buses and which would no more respect his privacy than run the country competently.

Anonymous said...

"I'm observing this from the next state over, Wisconsin, where we've been fighting over which of these 2 states we'd prefer to resemble."

Depends on whether Wisconsinites are selfish greedy Republicans who won't share their ill gotten gains with the children, or generous Democrats who love to spend other people's money to incarcerate, I mean educate, other people's children in failing public schools.

Known Unknown said...

Wasn't it Kasich that called a cop an "idiot" for giving him a ticket?

Kasich can be a grade-A asshole, but he's fairly competent when it comes to governance.

But I voted for Strickland over Blackwell because Blackwell ran a terrible campaign.

Who knew I was such a racist.

MadisonMan said...

I'm observing this from the next state over, Wisconsin, where we've been fighting over which of these 2 states we'd prefer to resemble.

I have to say that We want to be more like Illinois is not something anyone in Wisconsin will ever utter.

garage mahal said...

Nobody in Wisconsin is fighting over two states we should resemble.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...
I'd rather join Scientology. Has a better chance of being real.


Yeah, because like facts, data, and evidence aren't "real"!

Especially when you don't want to believe them.

Idiot.

garage mahal said...

Yeah, because like facts, data, and evidence aren't "real"!

Uh, that ain't conservatism.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...

Uh, that ain't conservatism.


Total parody.

Remember garagie, it isn't a lie if you believe it!

Ralph L said...

Wisconsin will never resemble Indiana without an industrial-strength whalebone foundation. Spanx won't cut it.

Phil 314 said...

So....that means Wisconsin voters......? What?

Garage,
You've been reduced to guttural one word utterances....

sad

An original a-hole,

I think you'd be happier over at Hit and Run

Tim007 said...

I grew up in Illinois and its fiscal mismanagement dates back almost 40 years during which it had several long serving big spending Republican governors so both Republicans and Democrats as well as the complacent citizens are to blame for letting it get to this point. The sad part is Illinois is a wealthy state but its politicians didn't have the courage to raise taxes to offset their spending. Just as with the federal government, forty years of borrowing created this mess.

By the way I'd still rather be in Illinois than Indiana any day.