Illinois Senate President John Cullerton thanks Scott Walker for Illinois marketing effort

[wndycty]

http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/features/1501-illinois-senate-president-continues-to-thank-wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-for-marketing-effort



SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is again thanking Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for his contributions to Illinois’ economic rebound.

“I must say, I really did not expect Governor Walker to work this hard to make Illinois look so good. Once again, I’d like to thank Governor Walker for his ongoing efforts to market Illinois as a great place to live and work,” Cullerton said. “First he let everyone know how much lower our tax rates are than his, now he's focusing on how much more stable Illinois is than the chaotic Wisconsin he's created. I can’t wait to hear how he’ll help us next.”

The Illinois Senate President issued his comments upon learning that Wisconsin Senate Democrats had sought refuge in Illinois in an effort to get the Wisconsin governor to reconsider his heavy-handed ultimatums and efforts to strip public sector employees of workplace rights and protections.

Cullerton welcomed his Wisconsin colleagues to Illinois and hoped they’d enjoy their stay in stable, low-tax Illinois, where even with the recent tax increases the rates are lower than in Wisconsin. The Senate President also thanked Walker for the added and unexpected economic boost.

“He’s even helping our tourism. What can’t Governor Walker do for Illinois?” said Cullerton.

Since his election, Walker has worked tirelessly to bring jobs to Illinois and promote its economic stability.

“When Scott Walker promised to create 250,000 jobs, I mistakenly assumed he meant in Wisconsin,” Cullerton said. “He’s certainly turning out to be a great neighbor.”

In November, Walker pulled the plug on a federally funded high-speed rail project. Now, some of the federal funding is instead coming to Illinois to aid high-speed rail here.

Soon after the announcement, Wisconsin-based train maker Talgo Inc announced it was looking to leave Wisconsin and is considering re-locating to Illinois.

Although this wouldn’t be possible without Gov. Walker’s efforts, Cullerton said there are other factors at play.

Illinois has a strong shot at being Talgo’s new home because Illinois is investing in high-speed rail as part of a nearly $31 billion program to maintain and modernize the state’s roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure. The program was approved with bipartisan support and unified backing from business and labor in 2009.

Cullerton suggested Wisconsin and Walker would be better served to follow a similar approach.

He pointed to the recent negotiated changes to McCormick Place union work rules as a great example of a union, business and political success. Those changes reduced convention costs, eliminated bureaucratic red tape and resulted in increased convention business, which translates into more union work.

During the recent blizzard, Illinois state workers teamed up with the National Guard to keep 16,000 miles of Illinois highways clear and assist more than 4,000 motorists. Recently, state public health workers responded to pandemics and food-borne illness outbreaks. And state prison guards daily secure the worst criminals in the state in overcrowded prisons.

As much as the Senate President appreciates Walker's ongoing efforts to make Illinois a better place to live and do business, Senator Cullerton again extended his offer to assist in avoiding economic meltdown in Wisconsin that could potentially ripple through Illinois and the Midwest.

“A lot of Illinoisans are drawn to Wisconsin’s cheese and vacation spots,” said Cullerton. “It’d be terribly unsettling if Governor Walker couldn’t resolve this chaos.”

[jaxx]

1. I love it!

K&R

[Drale]

2. Fantastic

but it seems at all my favorite places in the US are within states that have the craziest leaders now, Northern Wisconsin, Arizona, and Tennessee. :banghead: