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Edgar Has Ideas for Solving Budget Mess
Former Gov. Jim Edgar has some advice for Gov. Pat Quinn on how to get the state out of its multi-billion dollar budget mess.

Speaking on the University of Illinois campus, Edgar said a projected $9 billion budget deficit is hard to comprehend. He says before there's any talk about raising taxes, spending must be cut significantly.

"First, you've got to have the cuts," said Edgar, now a fellow of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois . "First, you've gotta make the tough decisions. First, everybody's gonna have to feel some pain. And if you say up-front, we're gonna raise taxes, you'll never get the cuts.”

Edgar says a tax hike should not be ruled out, but if it is needed, it should be used only to balance the budget, not to expand or create state programs.

(Illinois Radio Network)
02 11 09 by Newsroom
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