Chicago

Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - DuPage County - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Kane County - Mark Kirk - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

(Video) Townhall Meeting With Mark Kirk and Randy Hultgren, Saint Charles, Illinois

December 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Dec. 11, 2010, I attended a townhall meeting held in the 14th Congressional District featuring Congressman-elect Randy Hultgren and newly minted Senator Mark Kirk. The event was held in the theater of a local high school in Saint Charles, Illinois.

The afternoon started out with an address by Senator Mark Kirk who already was sworn in for an interim term and will be starting his first full term as senator in January. After Kirk finished his opening remarks, Mr. Hultgren spoke and then there was some time for questions for the audience.

Kirk spoke for a strong defense, he spoke for fiscal responsibility and he spoke against the DREAM Act. For his part, Mr. Hultgren didn’t have much to say past his recently successful campaign talking points. But that is to be expected since he has not yet been to Washington to be involved in the issues in our nation’s capitol. Hultgren won’t take office until Jan. 5. Both men strongly spoke in favor of repealing Obamacare.

I have video of both men’s comments. I took the video with my hand-held Flip cam so it may be a bit shaky here and there. (And on the Kirk video I had to set the camera down for half a minute to turn my phone off as I got a call in the middle of his remarks. I thought I had turned it off, but obviously forgot to do so! So my apologies there.)

Here is the video of the two gentleman’s remarks…
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(Video) Townhall Meeting With Mark Kirk and Randy Hultgren, Saint Charles, Illinois”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Why Is Illinois So Corrupt?

December 11, 2010 by

Chicago Magazine asks why Illinois is so corrupt. My answer: Democrats. Still, Shane Tritsch has a great article here.

Why Is Illinois So Corrupt?

-By Shane Tritsch

When federal agents arrested Governor Rod Blagojevich two years ago—interrupting what the U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called “a political corruption crime spree”—Robert Grant, head of the FBI’s Chicago office, offered a succinct analysis of the day’s events. “If [Illinois] isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States,” he said, “it is certainly one hell of a competitor.”

Given the abundance and variety of political scandals in the state, it’s hard to disagree. Over the past 40 years, about 1,500 people—including 30 Chicago aldermen—have been convicted for bribery, extortion, embezzlement, tax fraud, and other forms of corruption, according to Dick Simpson, head of the political science department at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Three former Illinois governors have gone to prison, and a fourth soon could be locked up if a jury convicts Blagojevich in his upcoming retrial on corruption and conspiracy charges.

Still, it’s hard to find empirical data that confirm Illinois as the king of crookedness. The U.S. Department of Justice tracks federal corruption convictions through its Public Integrity Section. Examinations of department data from several recent ten-year periods show that Illinois has mostly ranked among the top ten states in federal corruption convictions per capita, though two years ago it fell to an almost respectable 18th—which may demonstrate the limitations of such studies. In any case, these tallies reflect only the subset of wrongdoers cloddish enough to have gotten caught. And the cohort of crooks is merely the tip of the viceberg, so to speak, in a state where pitifully weak campaign finance and ethics laws are so easy to game legally. Considering the totality of government chicanery in Illinois—from the illegal to the merely questionable—the political consultant Don Rose concludes, “It’s fair to say we’re among two or three states that would vie for the honor [of most corrupt].”

But if that’s true, how did Illinois and Chicago get so good at being so bad…

Read the rest at ChicagoMag.com.

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Gery Chico - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Rahm’s Little Spy

December 9, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Walter Jacobson of Channel 2 News reports that Rahm Emanuel sent a spy to one of his opponent’s events. Gery Chico had a community meeting with various representatives of the community in attendance but one fellow was loathe to be fully identified as the rest were. Turns out he was a spy for Emanuel.

Chico held a meeting for community leaders to talk issues. One by one they introduced themselves and identified the community groups they represent.

All except for one man who said only that his name is Jim, and that he was there to observe and learn.

That seemed odd, so Jim was watched and seen tape recording the meeting.

When asked about it, he admitted it was not quite true he was there to observe and learn — but to record the meeting for Rahm Emanuel.

And there you go. Just another example of Chicago-style politics.

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Rahm’s Little Spy”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Economy/Finances - Free Trade - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Peter Roskam - President - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Peter Roskam: What You Need to Know About the Deficit Commission‏

December 8, 2010 by

From the office of Representative Peter Roskam…

Recently, President Obama’s Deficit Reduction Commission put forth a plan to address our country’s staggering deficits and national debt. The plan did not receive enough votes to make it out of it’s own committee and into Congress, but it does provide an important opportunity to discuss a critical economic issue – spending.

Although the report does recognize the need for spending restraint in Washington, particularly focusing on the federal bureaucracy, it also advocates for raising taxes at a time when Americans can least afford it. For all of my observations, click below to watch my interview on Fox News Chicago:
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Rep. Peter Roskam: What You Need to Know About the Deficit Commission‏”

Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - SB600 - Warner Todd Huston

SB600: Litmus Test for Party Reform (By Cedra Crenshaw)

December 7, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In the 2010 midterms, Cedra Crenshaw made a splash as a great independent Republican candidate for the Illinois State Senate (43rd District). She was quickly confronted with the power of the Democratic Machine and made all too well aware of the limitations of the Illinois Republican Party.

Cedra recently wrote a great piece on SB600, a bill that would allow Republican voters to vote in their own leadership on the Illinois Republican State Committee (currently, insiders appoint these members and voters have no choice).
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SB600: Litmus Test for Party Reform (By Cedra Crenshaw)”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Gery Chico - Illinois - Illinois State Government - James Meeks - Mayor Richard Daley - Warner Todd Huston

Four Out of the Race for Chicago Mayor

December 7, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The man that is renting Rahm Emanuel’s Chicago house announced today that he’ll drop his bid to run against the former White House chief of staff.

Emanuel tenant Rob Halpin told reporters that the financial burden — as well as the legal hurdles — of running for mayor was simply too much for him to incur.

The board of elections also removed three candidates from the ballot due to the candidates not having enough ballot signatures to satisfy the minimum requirement of 12,500 signatures.

The three removed were M. Tricia Lee, only had 700 valid signatures; Jay Stone, had a mere 246; and Ryan Graves had duplicate signatures.

With Lee’s removal from the ballot, that puts Rahm Emanuel in the second spot on the ballot.

Certainly many more will be removed as time rolls onward, but here is the list as it stands now:
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Four Out of the Race for Chicago Mayor”

Budget - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Joe Walsh - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Joe Walsh Launches Listening Tour (8th District)

December 7, 2010 by

From the office of Congressman elect Joe Walsh, 8th District…

I will launch a series of town hall meetings across the district during the month of December. I expect the meetings to give my constituents an opportunity to voice their thoughts and concerns. Please check the schedule below for dates, times, and locations. These meetings are open to the public and all opinions are welcome.

Please forward this e-mail to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers, especially those who may not have voted for me. I would like this to be an opportunity to hear the concerns of the 8th District regardless of political viewpoint.

Joe Walsh,
Congressman-elect of the 8th District
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Joe Walsh Launches Listening Tour (8th District)”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Free Trade - Government - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Unions Leaders Not Thrilled With Rahm Emanuel

December 6, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Most Chicagoans are assuming that former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will become the next mayor of Chicago. But while the perception might satisfy many folks in the Windy City, at least one powerful Democratic sector isn’t so sure they are happy with the whole idea. Chicago’s union leaders are not very fond of the distempered former Chief of Staff.

Big Labor has been put off on Emanuel since he helped Bill Clinton get the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) passed in the 1990s when Emanuel was a Congressman from Chicago’s 5th District.

Emanuel also has a history of dissing Big Labor. At least he’s put other interests ahead of Big Labor enough times that labor leaders are not overly fond of the diminutive candidate.
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Chicago Unions Leaders Not Thrilled With Rahm Emanuel”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Democrat Machine Thwarting the Vote Again: Trying to Force 45th Ward GOP Candidate Off Ballot

December 6, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

John Garrido is running to become Chicago’s 45th Ward Alderman and the left-wing, Chicago Democrat machine is not happy about it. Machine thugs are attempting to force Mr. Garrido, a Chicago Police Lieutenant, off the ballot with more of their silly ballot objections.

Democrats have spent billions over the years filing objections and challenges to their opponent’s petitions and candidacies all in an attempt to prevent the voters from being allowed to make their own decision.

The Garrido campaign has issued this statement:
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Chicago Democrat Machine Thwarting the Vote Again: Trying to Force 45th Ward GOP Candidate Off Ballot”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Mark Kirk - Regulation - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Video - Warner Todd Huston

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) Delivers Weekly GOP Address On Preventing Tax Hikes

December 4, 2010 by

In the Weekly Republican Address, newly-elected Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois says, “Last month, the American people sent a clear message to Washington: spend less, borrow less and tax less to put America back to work.”

Sen. Kirk expresses his disappointment that leaders in Congress have not heeded this message. “The current leaders of Congress should not move forward with plans that were just rejected by the American people. These leaders should not raise taxes and risk another recession. Instead, Congress should reduce spending and prevent another tax hike on American taxpayers.”

Sen. Kirk emphasizes, “Congress should set its highest priority on preventing the massive tax hike currently scheduled to hit our economy on January 1st.”

He also calls for “bipartisan solutions to cut federal spending” and suggests some ideas for tackling the “mounting debts [that] pose a clear and present danger to our future.”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Gery Chico - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Video: Who Is Chicago Mayoral Candidate Gery Chico?

December 2, 2010 by

I have to hand it to the Chico campaign. As Gery Chico runs for Chicago Mayor, they are out of the box in full force and getting to the bloggers, too. Heck, I’m not even a Democrat and am getting their campaign press releases. Good job to the Chico shop! Good media outreach so far.

Here is their latest effort meant to introduce the candidate to those who may not know him.

Congress - Conservatives - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

What They’re Saying About Rep. Roskam’s New Leadership Post

December 1, 2010 by

From the Office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, IL, 6th Distirct)…

Here is what they are saying on the various news outlets about Roskam’s appointment to Chief Deputy Whip. Also, enjoy the mashup video of the Chicago TV coverage below.

Crain’s Chicago Business

“Rep. Peter Roskam was named chief deputy majority whip of the incoming GOP-controlled House on Monday. The Wheaton Republican will rank fourth among House Republican leaders, giving Illinois a voice at the upper levels of the party’s hierarchy.”

“Mr. Roskam is positioned to be a go-between with the White House for the House GOP leadership. He and President Barack Obama served together in the Illinois Senate and collaborated in Springfield on issues such as death penalty reform.”
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What They’re Saying About Rep. Roskam’s New Leadership Post”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston - Wisconsin

Truth in Accounting Issues: Wisconsin’s “Financial State of the State”

December 1, 2010 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Wisconsin’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2009 audited financial report, the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay more than $14.4 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $7,400.

Wisconsin law requires a balanced State budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the State’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A State budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Wisconsin’s “Financial State of the State””

Congress - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam Receives Top Leadership Appointment, Named Chief Deputy Majority Whip

November 30, 2010 by

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (L 6th District)…

Rep. Peter Roskam: “The American economy faces serious challenges and we must all work together to end the uncertainty coming out of Washington so that we can once again unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit and get our economy and our country back on the right track.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Majority Whip-designate Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) today named Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) to serve as the Chief Deputy Whip for the 112th Congress.

McCarthy issued the following statement regarding the appointment:
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Roskam Receives Top Leadership Appointment, Named Chief Deputy Majority Whip”

Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - SB600 - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

SB600 Update: In Da House

November 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I have been a steady advocate for SB600 for the past year or so, now. SB600 would provide for Illinois Republicans to be able to elect their own state Republican committeemen by vote (as Illinois Democrats already do). Currently the people that guide the Illinois GOP are selected by other party operatives instead of the voters. Many feel, me included, this leads to a closed system of party bosses and insiders that is resistant to change and new ideas and is too far removed from the voters.

The bill passed the Senate earlier in the year and now needs a nod from the House of Representatives. If it doesn’t get passed by the House before January 12, 2011, then this bill is dead and would have to go through the entire process all over again to become law.

January 12 is coming very quickly, of course, and many might think it is too late to get this one done. But it’s not all bad news. If the bill is brought to a vote it will likely pass as it did in the Senate.
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SB600 Update: In Da House”

Bobby Schilling - Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Man of the People: New Ill Representative Forgoes Pay Raises, Pensions, Healthcare

November 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Republican Bobby Schilling father of ten children, was just elected to Congress for Illinois’s 17th District. He beat out long-time incumbent Democrat Phil Hare.

Hare made himself infamous by saying that he didn’t care much about the U.S. Constitution.

As he prepares to undertake his new duties in Washington D.C., Mr. Schilling has made a few decisions that should bring the gratitude of his voters. He’s decided not to accept any pay raises, he’s eschewed the Congressional healthcare plan, he’s opted out of the pension plan, and he intends to term limit himself.
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Man of the People: New Ill Representative Forgoes Pay Raises, Pensions, Healthcare”

Congress - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

A Thanksgiving Message From Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL)

November 25, 2010 by

-By Peter Roskam, Representative from the Illinois 6th District

As we enjoy this Thanksgiving Day, we have much to be thankful for. This holiday is an opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family, and to reflect on the many accomplishments and challenges the past year has brought.

One of the challenges most on the minds of families and individuals throughout Illinois is the looming federal income tax hike set to take effect in just five short weeks.

As I have traveled across the Sixth Congressional District, speaking to small business owners and local residents, I have heard an outpouring of concern that without immediate action, Congress will allow tax rates to climb higher for every American taxpayer, from the very lowest end of the tax bracket to the very highest. Meanwhile, our economy continues to struggle with persistently high unemployment that has left many in Illinois hurting from unemployment and under-employment.
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A Thanksgiving Message From Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL)”

Chicago - Cook County - Danny Davis - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Gery Chico - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Come One, Come All: 20 Candidates for Chicago Mayor

November 24, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It’s a veritable cornucopia of candidates for the 2011 race for Chicago Mayor. From the infamous, to the locally well known to the completely obscure (so obscure I can’t even find any info out about them), these are the 20 folks that filed to run for mayor. And where known I added their website.

Carol Moseley Braun – Former U.S. Senator, Hyde Park resident
http://carolforchicago.com

Gery J. Chico – Former President of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Public Schools, Downtown Chicago (Loop)
www.gerychicoformayor.com

Danny K. Davis – Current U.S. Representative 7th District, Austin Neighborhood
http://dannykdavis.com/

Wilfredo De Jesus – Senior Pastor of New Life Covenant Church in Humboldt Park, Logan Square
www.dejesusformayor.com

Miguel Del Valle – Chicago City Clerk, Belmont
www.delvalleformayor.com

Rahm Emanuel – Former U.S. Representative 5th District, West Town, White House Chief of Staff
www.chicagoforrahm.com

Ryan Graves – Engineer with the Dept. of Water Management, Lakeview
www.gravesformayor.com

John Hu – Real estate broker, Rush and Division
http://citizenmayor.net/index.html

M. Tricia Lee – Children’s book author, business consultant, Archer Heights
www.mtricialeeformayor.citymax.com

James T. Meeks – Current Illinois State Senator 15th District, West Pullman
www.jamesmeeksformayor.com

Jay Stone – Hypnotherapist, West Ridge
http://stoneformayor.com

William Walls III – Community Activist, former aide to Mayor Harold Washington, Galewood
http://wallsformayor.com

Patricia Van Pelt Watkins – Community Activist, CEO of Target Area Development Corp., E. Garfield Park
www.patriciaforchicago.com

Fredrick K. White – City Employee, Logan Square
www.fredrick-k-white.com

Roland W. Burris – Chatham, Former Senator

Tyrone Carter – Austin, Music Producer, Author

Rob Halpin – Businessman (famous for being the tenant living in Rahm Emanuel’s house), Lakeview

Tommy Hanson – Real estate broker, River North

Fenton C. Patterson – ??, Englewood

Howard Ray – ??, Humbolt Park
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Come One, Come All: 20 Candidates for Chicago Mayor”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Mayor Richard Daley - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Mayoral Candidate Gery Chico’s Chicago City Hall Transparency Ideas

November 22, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

When Mayor Richard “King” Daley got himself a one billion dollar infusion of cash by selling the parking meters in the city (yes, I said one BILLION) everyone thought it was such a great deal. Gery Chico tells us that all this money is nearly gone and spent already. He wants city hall to be more transparent and if he becomes mayor that’s what he says he’ll do.

From the Chico Press release:
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Mayoral Candidate Gery Chico’s Chicago City Hall Transparency Ideas”

Budget - Chicago - Chicago Sun-Times - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Journalism - Liberals - Media - Media Bias - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Democrat Hires Entire Family to Run Town of 200 Residents (Media Forgets to Mention He’s a Democrat)

November 22, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Newly elected Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski is leaving the office of mayor of the Village of McCook, Illinois. Now, a few weeks after the election, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that he and his father before him have filled village government with relatives from top to bottom raking in a combined $350,000 in yearly salary (not including benefits), tax money elicited from a tiny village of only 200 some residents.

Naturally, in another installment of the “name that party” game, the Chicago Sun-Times seemed to somehow forget to mention in its coverage of this outrageous nepotism that Tobolski is yet another corrupt Democrat who is only in government for personal enrichment and to dole out goodies, high paying jobs, and pension benefits to his relatives.

Also just as naturally, the Chicago Sun-Times somehow forget to release this story before the recent election. Obviously the Times didn’t want to hurt the election chances of this Democrat on Nov. 2.
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Democrat Hires Entire Family to Run Town of 200 Residents (Media Forgets to Mention He’s a Democrat)”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County Board - Economy/Finances - GOP - Illinois - Property Taxes - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

County Gov’t Update: Property Tax Info and More

November 21, 2010 by

From the office of Timothy O. Schneider, Cook County Commissioner…

Property Tax Information

Residents should have received their 2009 2nd installment property tax bills last week. The property tax bills are due December 13, 2010. Many people in the Northwest suburbs noticed an increase in their property tax bill this year. The Illinois Department of Revenue set a record high multiplier of 3.3701 to bring assessment in line with the rest of the state, up more than 13 percent from last year. When the General Assembly extended the 7 percent homeowners exemption the amount of the exemption decreased from $26,000 to $20,000.

It is important to remember that Cook County has not raised its property tax levy for 16 years. In addition, please note your property tax bill is now itemized, detailing exactly where your tax dollars are being spent (school district, municipality, township, county, ect.).
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County Gov’t Update: Property Tax Info and More”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Liberals - Oregon - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

True Oregon Taxpayer Burden is $6.6 Billion

November 20, 2010 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Oregon’s “Financial State of the State”

Chicago (November 17, 2010) — Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Oregon’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2009 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay more than $6.6 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $5,600.
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True Oregon Taxpayer Burden is $6.6 Billion”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Taxes - Texas - Warner Todd Huston

True Texas Taxpayer Burden is $60.8 Billion

November 19, 2010 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Texas’s “Financial State of the State”

Chicago (November 17, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Texas’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2009 audited financial report, the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay almost $60.8 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $8,900.
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True Texas Taxpayer Burden is $60.8 Billion”

Budget - Colorado - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

True Colorado Taxpayer Burden is $8.1 Billion

November 18, 2010 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Colorado’s “Financial State of the State”

Chicago (November 16, 2010) — Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Colorado’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the state’s 2009 audited financial report, the Institute determined the state is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay more than $8.1 billion of the state’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $4,900.
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True Colorado Taxpayer Burden is $8.1 Billion”

Cook County - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Joe Walsh - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Congressman Elect Joe Walsh: Let’s Take The Country Back

November 17, 2010 by

From Congressman elect Joe Walsh…

I’m pleased that the decision of the people of the 8th District voting on November 2nd has been confirmed. Representative Bean telephoned me earlier this evening and congratulated me for winning the 8th District seat in the United States House of Representatives. I am grateful to each and every individual who cast their ballot for me, and for all of the thousands of volunteers, Tea Party members, regular Republicans, friends and staff people that have made this victory possible. I congratulate Representative Bean on her vigorous campaign and thank her for her six years of public service.

With the voting and counting now complete, we can turn all of our energies to advancing the legislative agenda the people of the 8th District have told me to pursue: more responsive government, less borrowing against our children’s future, and a common sense approach to deal with the economic challenges facing our country. I will be busy here in Washington for several more days before returning to Illinois to personally thank all those who worked so hard to send me to Congress.

We have a lot to do, and I am eager to get at it.

Congressman-elect Joe Walsh will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, November 17 at 11:30 AM Eastern Time at RNC Headquarters.

Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Let’s Get SB600 Passed!

November 17, 2010 by

Doug Ibendhal wants us all to re-commit to getting SB600 passed. I am a big supporter of the measure, so I certainly agree with him on this.

The Illinois General Assembly goes back in session in Springfield this week (November 16-18).

SB600 passed overwhelmingly in the State Senate last year. We just need House passage and then it’s to the Governor’s desk. Pat Quinn is certain to sign the bill. His reformer talk would be over if he didn’t.

Please take a minute and contact your State Representative, whether Republican or Democrat, and urge passage of SB600.

You’ll find all of the contact information here (then page down).

Note that we’ve put all the email addresses for all of the State Representatives into user friendly blocks (one with all the Democrats and one with all the Republicans). Feel free to copy and paste the addresses into your email and contact all of them at once.

If SB600 doesn’t pass before the new General Assembly is seated in mid-January, then the whole process has to start all over again in the State Senate. Let’s not let that happen.

So far House Minority Leader Tom Cross has gotten his way. He and other GOP bosses have stonewalled SB600 for years. These power hungry Republicans don’t want you to have a voice in your own party. They don’t want accountability in the Illinois Republican Party and they certainly don’t want transparency….

Read the rest at Republican News Watch.

Budget - Chris Lauzen - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pensions - Public Employees Unions - Regulation - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Carnival Shell Game with Illinois State Pensions

November 17, 2010 by

From the office of State Senator Chris Lauzen (25th District)…

On November 4, 2010, all State Senators were called to Springfield ostensibly to vote on a $4B proposal to pay into state employee pension plans. The Democrat leadership had a political caucus off-site, but no vote was taken on the important fiscal matter, nor any other substantive issue.

Last year I believed Governor Quinn’s promise that he would spend approximately $3.5 Billion in borrowed funds wisely and, incredibly (for me), I voted “yes” to give him broad borrowing and spending authority. Unfortunately, that promise was broken and nearly all of that debt was used to pay for public employee pension deposits, while our schools languished and social service agencies were decimated.

Fool me once, shame on you – – fool me twice shame on me.

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Carnival Shell Game with Illinois State Pensions”

Chicago - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Joe Walsh - Liberals - Melissa Bean - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Walsh Wins by 290 Votes in Ill 8th

November 16, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The ballots are finally all counted for the race for the 8th Congressional District in Illinois. Congratulations goes to Republican Joe Walsh who beat incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean by a scant 290 votes.

The vote tally has yet to be 100 percent certified, but it looks like Walsh is the winner.

This is quite a pickup for the GOP, too. Not only did party wonks assume that Walsh never had a chance to win this race and therefore didn’t give Walsh much help, the other side was so sure that Bean was a shoo in to be returned to Congress that they didn’t spend much money on her race either.

This one is a shock to just about everyone. One suspects even Walsh is surprised.

So, congrats to Congressman elect Joe Walsh, 8th District.
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Walsh Wins by 290 Votes in Ill 8th”

Congress - Cook County Board - DuPage County - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Korean War - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Congressman Roskam Commemorates Veterans Day From Korea

November 16, 2010 by

From Congressman Peter Roskam…

Joins His father, a Korean War Veteran, At President Obama’s Remarks to Troops at Yongsan Garrison

SEOUL, Korea, Nov 11 – Congressman Peter Roskam issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day:

“It is a privilege to be in Korea today with my father on the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War – a war which he fought bravely in to preserve freedom and halt the advance of Communism. My father, V.R. Roskam, has received an outpouring of thanks and appreciation from Koreans everywhere we’ve visited the last week. It’s a powerful lesson: the sacrifices our men and women in the Armed Forces have made to preserve freedom in almost every corner of the globe, even decades later, are not forgotten. The bustling capital city of Seoul, home to 12 million people, is testament to the generations of Americans who have helped ensure the existence of whole nations of free people.
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Congressman Roskam Commemorates Veterans Day From Korea”