Can Illinois' Bruce Rauner Turn Around Nation's Worst Fiscal Mess?

Investor's Business Daily ^ | January 14. 2014 | IBD EDITORIALS

[raptor22]

State Government: Bruce Rauner became Illinois' 42nd governor on Monday, the first Republican since 2003. He inherits a state that's been dubbed "America's Greece," but it's another opportunity to show what a GOP chief executive can do.

A big part of the GOP tsunami in 2014 occurred at the state level, with Republicans expanding their hold on governors' mansions and legislatures with wins in blue states such as Maryland, Massachusetts and President Obama's Illinois.

The number of GOP governors has grown to 31 from 21, control of legislatures has expanded to 68 of 98 partisan legislative chambers, and Republicans now have total control of some two dozen states.

There's a reason for this success, and it's the fact that GOP governors tend to promote a free-market economy with lower taxes, less regulation and a generally friendlier business climate that emphasizes wealth creation rather than redistribution.

[Patriotic1]

He’s actually pro-charter and has criticized the teachers union. I was shocked to find this out too!

[DuncanWaring]

It would require a complete overhaul of the entire pension system in Illinois...

Wouldn't that require an amendment to the Illinois Constitution?

[RayChuang88]

I think the presence of Apple, Google, Facebook, Intel and a lot of biotech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area is why the state of California hasn't financially cratered yet. And California wants to keep these companies here for lots of obvious reasons!

[roofgoat]

I’ve read enough about him to know he is a typical racist. Second City Cop has been a good source of info on this typical Rev.

[Carry_Okie]

I think the presence of Apple, Google, Facebook, Intel and a lot of biotech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area is why the state of California hasn't financially cratered yet.

IOW for the steady flow of new grads out of Berkeley and Stanford. Apple is building a new HQ. Other than that, there is little new and large construction activity. Virtually all physical production is long ago offshore. Historically, intellectual work follows production.

[RayChuang88]

Actually, Facebook had to move to much larger office space and Google is now looking for more office space because both companies are still doing quite well. I expect Intel to make a bit of a comeback once Windows 10 becomes available at the retail level, since corporations have really liked what Microsoft did with Windows 10 and that could really drive more PC sales, which in turn benefits Intel.

[Carry_Okie]

Hi salaries and housing costs don't benefit anybody seeking to compete. Software jobs are easier to move than any other kind of work. Then there are high taxes, traffic, burdensome regulations and lousy schools for employee kids.

All work against locating in California.

If what you were implying was true, traffic in the Bay Area would be at its historical worst, but it's not.

[Vigilanteman]

In Chicago the corruption is so entrenched that it is almost impossible to improve things without sending most of the incumbent politicians to prison.

One could make a reasonable argument that the gallows would be a more appropriate destination for many.