Dwight Kay believes for too long Springfield politicians have been running our state the wrong way.  The Illinois General Assembly has increased state government spending by 39 percent in the last decade.  Since 2001, Illinois has lost 355,208 jobs.  In addition, Illinois is the 14th highest taxing state in the nation.

“The people I have spoken to have had enough,” said Kay.  “Voters are tired of electing politicians that focus on the next election and not the next generation.  We must hold our elected officials accountable.  The citizens of Illinois deserve accountability from their elected officials which is why I am presenting my pledge to Get Illinois Working the Right Way.

Kay’s pledge to “Get Illinois Working the Right Way” includes the following:

• I pledge to work to eliminate wasteful government spending.

• I pledge to help small and large businesses bring high-paying jobs back to Illinois.

• I pledge to vote “no” for any tax increase.

• I pledge to sponsor educational reforms that put students first.

• I pledge to bring accountability and openness to state government.

• I pledge to hold regular town hall meetings to listen to you.

• I pledge to fight the corruption of Illinois machine politics.

• I pledge to support term limits.

“State government spending has increased by 39 percent in the last decade,” said Kay.  “We deserve a government that will be as frugal with our tax dollars as families must be with their money every day.  And that means cutting back in tough times.”

A 2007 Inventory of State Programs audit conducted by the Illinois Auditor General found that nearly 100 state agencies reported over 1,750 state programs.  It was stated in the audit: “The State does not have a comprehensive, consistent inventory of state programs.”

“The simple fact is, the state does not know how many programs actually exist, which is why I support an audit of each state agency line-by-line resulting in identifying wasteful government spending,” said Kay.

The American Legislative Exchange Council study Rich States, Poor States ranks Illinois 48th in economic performance.  The truth is, Illinois is at a disadvantage when attracting employers and new jobs to Illinois.

“Times are tough, said Kay.  “Illinois has lost 355,208 jobs over the last decade.  I recognize that jobs are leaving because of the 300+ taxes and fees that Springfield politicians have levied on employers.”

According to the Tax Foundation, nationally, Illinois is the 14th highest-taxing state in the nation.

“Springfield politicians have failed us,” said Kay.  “They continue to waste our tax dollars, scare away good paying jobs to our neighboring states, and they still have the nerve to talk about raising our taxes 33%.  Enough is enough, it’s time bring accountability and common sense back to Springfield.  It’s time to Get Illinois Working the Right Way.”

Collinsville, IL…Dwight Kay, Republican candidate for State Representative in the 112^th Illinois House District, issues the following statement on Governor Quinn’s decision to order 24 furlough days for all non-union state employees:

“Rather than do the fiscally responsible thing and rescind the double-digit pay raises given to his own staff, Governor Quinn has decided to go after rank-and-file state employees.

The 24 furlough days ordered by the Governor means that non-union employees will see their pay cut by approximately one month’s salary.  To cut their pay while stubbornly refusing to dump the pay hikes given to his inner circle shows how out-of-touch Governor Quinn is with the average Illinois family.

People have had enough of Blagojevich-Quinn cronyism.  For eight years now, we’ve witnessed scandal after scandal, while the Springfield insiders have spent our state into record debt.  Enough is enough.  Today I am calling on Governor Quinn to rescind the double-digit pay hikes given to his top staff.”