16 Comments - Kathryn - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 10:04 am: Too bad equal pay for women in his administration isn’t one of his accomplishments. - illinifan - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:13 am: Love the comment about bordering states with surpluses..Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri have progressive tax rates, Indiana’s is flat at 3.4% but private pensions taxed (social security is not taxed)….not a great comparison since the income is not the same. Also these states did not borrow against their pension funds as often as Illinois (partially because they had a better income flow than Illinois had) - PoolGuy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:15 am: love that best/worst state rankings noted above. Texas and Florida #1 and #2 best states, with no state income taxes. there may be many factors in there rankings, but taxes are obviously their main concern. CA, NY, IL, MA, NJ are the worst states. these 5 worst states, with 80-85 million people, contribute over $2 trillion to the US economy. - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:08 pm: “Greedy and corrupt financiers” get a shoutout in the SOTS. Yeah Quinn is relishing the chance to run against Rauner and get his populism on. - fed up - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:11 pm: Quinn’s Illinois come back negative job growth over past 5 years and flat population growth. Great work Pat great work. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:11 pm: “The State of our state is strong. Our people are strong. Look how we’ve persevered during this harsh winter.” “Compare and contrast with our friends in Georgia, who fall to pieces after two inches of snow and temperatures in the 20s.” - countyline - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:23 pm: That would be because there is no cost-benefit for southern states to buy plows and salt, but thanks for the concern, potato head… - Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:26 pm: If Quinn wants to show that he values teachers and the work they do, perhaps he shouldn’t cut their pensions. - Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:28 pm: He could champion the graduated income tax amendment to help stabilize funding (esp. for the new programs he’s outlining)…but probably won’t. - Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:31 pm: Watching Madigan and Cullerton behind Quinn is hilarious. Disrespectful, but hilarious. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:41 pm: “Bank Accounts” … “Money” … Wonder who those remarks are geared towards? - truth hurts sometimes - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:44 pm: Not one word about the temporary tax hike due to expire next year. Just more spending and more government programs! - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:06 pm: –That would be because there is no cost-benefit for southern states to buy plows and salt, but thanks for the concern, potato head..– Those sleeping overnight in stores, cars and school buses might not agree with your cost-benefit analysis. - Dirty Red - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:09 pm: I thought it interesting what Radogno said about EITC afterwards. Something to the extent of instead needing to have jobs in areas with people who can take them. Also wish Durkin would have elaborated more on what sort of cuts the GOP would want in order to put votes on an extension of the tax increase. Zero mention of EDGE reform in speech. - fed up - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:19 pm: truth hurts “Not one word about the temporary tax hike due to expire next year.” Well, pat did have to lie to the whole state during the election to get the tax hike, so I doubt he likes to talk about it. - Juvenal - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:58 pm: Every year after the state of the state address, it seems someone has to explain the difference between the SOTS address and the Governors Budget Address. Keep your pants on. Or, if you think it is such a pressing issue, ask yourself and others why Bruce Rauner is spending millions on tv ads and has yet to explain his plan to “overhaul the tax code so it is fair to all taxpayers” after we get rid of “the Quinn-Madigan tax hike.” Sounds to me like the Baron is calling for closing corporate loopholes and tax expenditures, implementing a graduated income tax, and taxing retirement incomes over $250,000. You would think atleast one reporter could get an answer. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.