Trial run

I was given a press release from an actual event and had 45 minutes to write a story from it, edit it, and produce a news article. I thought I'd share, I think it turned out okay, but I haven't had it edited yet, so we'll see how that goes.

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Kayla Kearns

Daily Egyptian

Head:  Former governer Edgar ‘outraged’ by Illinois’ deficit

Illinois faces a budget deficit that could reach $15 billion this year. Jim Edgar, former Illinois Gov., gave a speech about the state’s financial situation in the Student Center Tuesday night.

Edgar was the last governor elect to leave the state without deficit, he was also the last governor not convicted of corruption.

Edgar, a Republican, was elected governor in 1990 and re-elected in 1994. He now works with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, according to IGPA’s website. He also served as Illinois secretary of state for 10 years, according to the website.

David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, said it was good to get the former governor’s insight into the state’s financial crisis.

Democratic lawmakers pushed an income tax increase through the legislature earlier Tuesday. It would raise the state’s personal income tax 66 percent. The tax rate would go from 3 percent to 5 percent if Gov. Pat Quinn signs the bill into law. Quinn has supported a tax increase.

Edgar said it was an “outrage” that the state’s leaders had allowed the situation to get so bad.

“The state of Illinois faces the worst fiscal crisis in its history,” Edgar said in his speech. “Depending on how you slice the numbers, Illinois’ financial state is the worst, second-worst, or third-worst in the nation.”

Edgar said that the Republican party is not without fault for the financial deficit.

“The free-spending days of George Ryan set the stage for this problem. The administration of Governor Blagojevich made things exponentially worse,” he said.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, a former SIUC law professor, said she admired Edgar. “Jim Edgar was a leader for the whole state, not just his party. He combined fiscal conservatism with concern for education and other social issues.”

“He is absolutely correct when he says the situation is outrageous. I think he played down the effects o the recession of the state, but overall I think he was on target,” she said.

“Governor Quinn and I intend to turn this around,” Simon added. “We are focused on improving the quality of life for everyone in this great state. We will get the state’s payments up to date, improve the public education, and make sure the social safety net does not disappear.”

In response to a question from audience member Laura Teagarden, of Carbondale, Edgar said he thought southern Illinois’ coal mines were unlikely to make a comeback.

“Coal from the West is much cleaner, and coal from other areas can be mined so much more efficiently. I think the economic future of this region lies elsewhere,” he added.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, who voted against the tax increase, was among those who attended the speech.

“I see no indication that Speaker Madigan or President Cullerton have any intention of doing anything besides raising taxes. There is no serious plan to cut spending.”

Edgar said the tax increase, which is supposed to be temporary, might by a necessary but would not begin to bring in more revenue for months. In the meantime, he said, it was likely the state would look to borrow money to pay its bills.

“Borrow and spend; it’s an old tune we all know by heart,” he said. “The harsh fiscal reality might well be that we have no choice but to raise taxes and borrow money to pay our bills, but the way we got into this mess deserves examination.”

Quinn, a Democrat, who served as lieutenant governor until Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office, tried to get a tax increase through the legislature previously, but could not get support from his own party.

Yepsen said polls have shown voters are willing to pay higher taxes to solve the problem.

“Polls have shown the voters are willing to pay higher taxes to solve the problem,” he said. “What they’re not willing to do, though, is pay higher taxes and have the situation stay the same. They want to see progress.”

Yepsen said incumbent legislators enjoy a great advantage in Illinois elections. “They can safely assume they will be re-elected barring unforeseen circumstances or events. But no one likes to say, ‘Hey, I raised your taxes. Vote for me.’”