A war of words is heating up between Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn over job creation. The Republican Walker said Thursday he plans to persuade Illinois companies to come to Wisconsin. He says he’ll emphasize that Quinn has proposed massive tax increases.
Walker’s comments come one day after the Democratic Quinn encouraged train maker Talgo Inc. to move south from Milwaukee. Talgo had said it would move from that facility if Wisconsin follows through on its promise to abandon high-speed rail.
Quinn spokeswoman Ashley Cross criticized Walker’s characterization of massive tax increases.
She says even with Quinn’s proposal of a 1 percent tax for education, Illinois’ individual income tax rate would be 4 percent. Wisconsin’s ranges from 4.6 percent to 7.75 percent.
I hate to say it, but I suspect every state in the Midwest will be talking to Illinois businesses about how Governor Quinn and his bosses in Springfield are anti-business and pro-tax (which they are) and how much cheaper it will be to leave Illinois and do business in their states (which it is). We’ve already seen it on a national scale, when thousands of companies left the anti-business north for the southern states, where they still understand the value of jobs. But this is what Illinois voted for when they re-elected Governor Quinn, so no one should complain when our unemployment rate increases.
scott walker was a great county executive, trimmed the size of government and always tried to pass zero increase budgets which got ovr ridden by the county board. He is a true fiscal conservative and Quinn will be no match for him once his agenda begins. Walker will return prosperity to Wisconsin while Illinios, michigan and other midwest democrat states continue to do poorly.
1% tax for education. That’s what they’re calling it now? I love the old “it’s for the children” argument.
When it comes down to a battle of wits between Governor Quinn and anybody else, I tend to be very worried as an Illinois resident.
I love how everyone is ignoring the fact that Quinn’s staffer is right – if the income tax increase passes in Illinois, the state’s tax will still be less than Wisconsin’s. But, yes, tell me about how much worse Illinois is.
Buy a clue JerryH.
It’s about tax breaks, it always is, but it will also be about costs. Luring businesses to re-domicile is an achievable goal but just how much of that business are you going to get? Given the current housing market how do you suppose they are going to move the PEOPLE that staff those operations. Given the business climate, how much will you have to give them in order to balance the cost of operational disruptions (due to the move and staff losses) and the charges related to reconfiguring their capital base (shutting down facilities, selling facilities at a loss, and building up new facilities)?
You’ll get a token gesture, a headquarters with 100 staff or less, at the expense of massive tax breaks while thousands of jobs remain where they always were.
If Pat Quinn were smart, he would export people out of Illinois to other states and thereby reduce the overall need for spending.
This is the same thing Tommy Thompson did while he was Governor of Wisconsin. He made obtaining welfare in Wisconsin more difficult, and therefore the welfare people moved out of their state and to Minnesota.
After this, Minnesota saw their welfare rolls and cost explde, while Wisconsin saw less people on welfare, and less costs.
Quinn is a puppet to Madigan and the Unions…..when you see Quinn talking you hear Madigan’s voice
It’s just that simple.
Quinn reminds me of the Scarecrow on The Wizard of OZ….he’s the one with no brain!
“1% tax for education. That’s what they’re calling it now? I love the old “it’s for the children” argument.” Well put Brian. ‘Children’ … another of those terms like (fill in the blank) -ism that are intended to preempt all debate and dissention. Yes, tax – spend – borrow … on top a a mountain of red ink and unpaid bills. That’s what the voters of IL put back in office … and that’s after 2 terms of “free rides” Blago. I cannot say what kind of Gov Brady might actually have proved to be … but he was the only real chance we had of standing up to Cullerton and Mikey 4 M’s especially regarding those onerous public union pensions and contracts. Now? Bend over and grab em’. Try to hand onto your wallet, you are going to need it.
BCS, agree with your comments regarding Scott Walker, however, you lose a lot of credibility with comments about other midwest states like Michigan. Michigan just went Republican. And given GM and Ford’s rebuilding, restructuring, and resurgence Michigan is moving in the right direction.
While the state won’t realize much in tax revenue from the Big 3’s current and short-term profitablity due to tax incentives that allow them to write off last several years losses, they can certainly have a significant impact on unemployment, and ultimately, dollars going into Michigan’s economy. And with a Republican, not too mention a businessman, in the governor’s seat, Michigan will move in the right direction.
All humorous comments and unfortunately with more than a little truth in there as well. So is there a real solution?
The unintended consequences blow back is the levelers, a global economy is not easily bullied by any gov’t body in this country … and please stop the lies that big business (the super rich) will create more jobs if only they get to retain their income tax breaks! The simple trend is that “big biz” controls around 16% of all employment; DOWN from 50% in 1978.
So can everyone stop for a moment from (single) finger pointing? How about we stop buying all that foreign-owned products? That’s where the profits and real jobs have gone … off-shore!
These comments are histerical. Teabaggers blabbing in platitudes yet ignoring the facts. IL has a lower tax rate than WI, even if the income tax rate goes to 4% in IL.
The US auto industry is in better shape now. No thanks to Republicans. Remember the US government stepped up with support for GM and Chrysler?
Scott Walker is a joke. Unfortunately, the people of WI will find out the hard way.
Hey Paul, that’s right the government stepped in and saved Ford – NOT!
Check your facts.
Binger, notice I didn’t include Ford? It’s called reading comprehension.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/336.html
Just so we can have the truth out there.