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Can Illinois afford this (union) deal?
Chicago Tribune ^ | 3/01/13

Posted on 03/01/2013 4:01:37 PM PST by Libloather

Quinn, AFSCME and those pandering Blagojevich giveaways

**SNIP**

So: Is this a contract the state can afford? Yet to be determined. Remember, Illinois will end this fiscal year roughly $8 billion behind in paying its bills. Unfunded pension obligations? An additional $96.8 billion and counting. Total debts and obligations? The state treasurer says $200 billion.

But Quinn evidently bargained harder than his predecessor did. Here are some comparisons:

In 2004 the then-governor, Rod Blagojevich, signed off on a four-year AFSCME contract that included 13 percent wage hikes during the final three years of the deal. Blagojevich was pandering for continued union support; AFSCME leaders described his giveaway as the best offer in the country. That was a contract Illinois definitely couldn't afford: At the time, the state was running annual deficits of between $2 billion and $4 billion.

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: afford; chicago; illinois; unions
But how the balance sheet shakes out for taxpayers remains an unknown.

Unreal.

1 posted on 03/01/2013 4:01:48 PM PST by Libloather
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To: Libloather

Meanwhile in Michigan, the SEIU dues skim (theft) ended today.

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18344

And teachers are suing their union for rushing ahead with a new contract to lock them in for 10 years before the RTW law takes effect.

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18340


2 posted on 03/01/2013 4:05:51 PM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: Libloather

I guarantee by 2016 you’ll see a federal guarantee on state debt (bonds)for Illinois, California, and New York.

As long as the Dems can lock those electoral votes up, the POTUS campaign is pretty much a done deal.


3 posted on 03/01/2013 4:05:59 PM PST by nascarnation (Baraq's economic policy: trickle up poverty)
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To: Libloather

Union payoffs on the backs of the taxpayers.


4 posted on 03/01/2013 4:08:13 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (There is no requirement to show need in order to exercise your rights.)
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To: Libloather

I’m sorry, the “can we afford this” question can only be asked about tax cuts, never about government spending. (according to all liberals).


5 posted on 03/01/2013 4:09:27 PM PST by jeffc (The U.S. media are our enemy)
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To: Libloather
AFSCME leaders warned their members to put off big-ticket purchases and to start saving their money in case of a strike.

Fundamentally why there should never be any government unions. Pay us or we shut the government down.

6 posted on 03/01/2013 5:53:53 PM PST by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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