From the campaign of Darren Bailey:
Darren Bailey: Pritzker speech long on rhetoric short on solutions
Louisville, IL – Former State Senator and candidate for Governor, Darren Bailey, says the Governor’s State of the State Address offered flowery language and a rosy picture of Illinois most residents simply are not experiencing thanks to the Governor’s failed policies.
“This afternoon, Illinois families heard a lot of numbers,” Bailey said.
“A lot of self-congratulation and an endless supply of political theater.
“What they didn’t hear was an honest acknowledgment of what life actually feels like right now in Illinois.
“Families aren’t living inside GDP statistics.
“They’re living inside grocery stores where prices are still high.
“They’re opening property tax bills that feel impossible.
“They’re staring at utility bills that keep climbing.
“And today’s address offered more government – not the relief they need and deserve.”
Bailey said the governor talked about a “balanced budget.”
“A budget isn’t balanced when long-term pension debt keeps growing,” Bailey said.
“It isn’t balanced when property taxes remain among the highest in America.
“And it isn’t balanced when families are still leaving our state in search of opportunity elsewhere.”
Once again, the Governor is increasing spending in his proposed budget and he is once again turning to tax and fee increases to pay for it all.
“The governor can talk about upgrades in our credit rating,” Bailey said.
“But Illinois still holds the lowest bond rating in the country.
“He can talk about economic growth.
“But families and businesses are still moving out.
“He can talk about new programs.
“But the structural challenges that have plagued Illinois for decades remain untouched.
“Working families don’t need more political fights with Washington.
“They don’t need more bureaucracy.
“And they certainly don’t need new taxes disguised as ‘fees.’ They need lower property taxes.
“They need real pension reform.
“They need transparency in state finances.
“They need a government that grows slower than their paychecks — not faster.”
Bailey said he is running to serve the people of Illinois and focus on the problems and challenges important to them.
“I’m not running to manage decline. I’m running to change direction,” Bailey said.
“We will lower costs.
“We will open the books.
“We will reform what others were afraid to touch.
“And we will build a state where families can stay, grow, and thrive. Today’s address made one thing clear: this administration believes Illinois is already on the right track. The people I talk to every day disagree. And it’s time their voices are heard.”
