* The group “Good Jobs First” has published a “primer” for journalists covering Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s job-poaching visit to Illinois…

1. Get the Hard Texas Jobs Numbers. They reveal that interstate job piracy is a costly fool’s errand. We issued a national study on this very topic in January, and it has passages devoted to Texas on pages 4-5 and 16-20. We document that Texas under Perry in his first seven years netted a microscopic 0.03 percent (three hundredths of one percent) of its jobs base annually from corporate migrations—at great expense given to a tiny share of footloose companies.

What is Perry doing to help existing Texas firms expand and new firms to start up? (Not to mention operate safely.) Does he know that more than 9,500 business establishments with more than 110,000 jobs moved out of Texas during his first eight years in office? Where did they go and why?

2. Master the Texas Subsidy-Industrial Complex. Learn how private dollars (TexasOne)—some of them from site location consultants who profit from corporate relocations—bankroll Perry’s job-piracy forays. Learn about the Texas Enterprise Fund, where two-thirds of subsidized companies have fallen short on jobs, and where a fourth of recipient companies have given money to Perry’s campaigns or political proxies. The Wall Street Journal [8/13/11] summed it up as “Rick Perry’s Crony Capitalism Problem.” And the New York Times wrote at length about tax consultant (and big Perry backer) G. Brint Ryan.

Which consultants are accompanying Perry to Illinois? How much do they get paid when consulting for footloose companies? How much money have they given to Perry’s campaigns and proxies?

* Meanwhile, everybody’s trying to get in on the act…

The Chicago area’s wealthiest investors are much more nervous about their state’s economy than counterparts elsewhere in the nation, according to a poll released Monday that reinforces concerns some companies may relocate if Illinois’ financial situation doesn’t improve.

The poll by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management comes on the same day Texas Gov. Rick Perry is scheduled to be in Chicago to try to lure businesses from the state with the promise of lower income taxes and a stronger economy.

Analysts and economic advisers say it’s another wake-up call for lawmakers who repeatedly have failed to solve Illinois’ $100 billion pension crisis and other financial problems.

The AP’s lede is more than a little breathless. There’s nothing in the poll that “reinforces” any concerns, other than the investors are not happy at all with the state’s finances and economy. Is anybody?

* You may be hearing a lot about this poll, so keep in mind who was really surveyed…

Survey Methods: as part of the national survey of 1,000 US investors, age 25 to 75, with $100,000 or more in investable household financial assets, an oversample of 302 Chicago area investors were interviewed. Approximately one-third of those interviewed had $1 million or more in household financial assets. Poll conducted Jan. to March, 2013, by GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.

* From the poll…

Most Chicagoland investors are bullish about the global economy (74%) and US economy (70%) but those numbers drastically dip at the state level:

• A majority (58%) sees a worsening of the state economy by the end of this year.
• Only 16% believe the state economy will be better by the end of 2013 compared to 40% believing the global economy will be better and 45% feeling the same way about the national economy.
• Economic issues top the list of Chicagoland investors’ concerns. 93% are worried about the financial well-being of the state with 80% describing themselves as “very” concerned.
• Investors are most concerned with the pension crisis (52%), Illinois state deficit (20%), state taxes (13%) and budget cuts (8%).

And…

Investors want financial advice—specifically, communication and analysis. Nearly eight in ten Chicagoland investors (77%) use one or more financial advisors, and for millionaires the percent increases to 88%.

• 87% want guidance and resources on changes in the fed tax policy & exemptions
• 86% want guidance on their portfolio asset allocation
• 83% want clear communication on how assets can contribute to a retirement income stream
• 81% want new investment ideas; analysis of the economy and potential portfolio impacts; and downside portfolio protection
• 66% want guidance on estate planning to minimize tax effects on assets passed to heirs

And…

Millionaires are different

Investors with household assets of $1 million or more, who make up a third of poll respondents, are more likely to see improvement in their portfolios from 2012 (77% vs. 53% in lower asset group) and, predictably, are less concerned than HNW investors overall about:

• Funds to cover the unexpected (44% vs. 68%)
• The ability to retire when desired (28% vs. 58%)
• Living beyond one’s assets (36% vs. 55%)
• Funding a child’s education (23% vs. 48%)

• Paying off the student loan debt of their spouse, children or grandchildren (12% vs. 27%)

In the opposite direction, millionaires are somewhat more concerned about the trade deficit (93% vs. 80%, overall), phase-out of personal exemptions and deductions (93% vs. 86%, overall), volatility in the stock market (87% vs.78%), and terrorism (82% vs. 74%).

From an investing perspective, millionaires are also more bullish than HNW investors overall on real estate for purchasing a second home (50% vs. 39%) and on investing in REITs (51% vs. 39%).

* Crosstabs are here.

*** UPDATE *** From Treasurer Dan Rutherford…

“Here in Illinois, we have all the factors needed to create a great business climate. We have a tremendously skilled workforce, an excellent transportation system, a wide variety of natural, cultural and recreational resources, great agricultural success and strong educational institutions to name a few assets. Though the state has many strong points, it is no secret that Illinois’ financial flaws are a downfall for business owners and residents. We have the worst credit rating in the country, a broken pension system and taxes have increased in recent years on businesses and individuals.”

“Texas Governor Rick Perry’s attempt to get Illinois businesses to move to Texas should sound an alarm to state leaders. We need to improve our business climate so we can better retain and attract businesses. We have some issues now, as highlighted by Gov. Perry, and we should make every effort to create a better environment where businesses can thrive right here in Illinois.”

* Related…

* Cahill: Consider Texas — carefully

* Perry in Illinois to lure business: On Tuesday, he’ll speak at the 2013 BIO International Convention in Chicago. The event draws business people from around the world and Perry will talk at an afternoon session about state legislative practices that support bioscience economic development.

* Editorial: Ignoring warning would be foolish

* Erickson: Quinn awash in advice for big-talking Texans: “His state, frankly, is water-challenged, and any company thinking of going to Texas better check on their water,” Quinn said. And then came the rains. And the flooding. And by Friday, Quinn was forced to issue a disaster declaration covering 38 water-soaked counties.

* Finke: Quinn tells Perry to butt out

* Editorial: Hey, Gov. Perry: Don’t mess with Illinois

* Illinois House approves bill to loosen workplace online privacy restrictions: The Illinois House on Friday voted to give employers more authority over employees’ online activity by allowing employers to request access to personal Internet accounts. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), passed by a 68-36 margin, with two voting present, and now moves to the Senate.

* Editorial: Put Illinois to work - The stall on fracking is a job-killer