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* Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s radio ad which attempts to poach Illinois businesses [fixed link]…
Script for the $42K buy…
This is Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and I have a word of advice for employers frustrated by Illinois’ short-sighted approach to business: You need to get out while there’s still time.
The escape route leads straight to Texas, where limited government, low taxes and a pro-business environment are creating more jobs than any other state.
I’ll be in Chicago next week to talk about opportunities in Texas, where we’re always open for business.
Visit texaswideopenforbusiness.com. It may be time for your company to hit the emergency exit.
Thoughts?
* Greg Hinz talked to Gov. Perry…
In a phone interview late yesterday, Mr. Perry, who ran an ad in this week’s issue of Crain’s titled “Get Out While There’s Still Time,” (below) insisted his message “isn’t about bashing Illinois” but rather is aimed at extending a hand to companies that could use one.
“This is about talking about policies that can help people make a good judgment, an informed decision about where to live,” said the governor, who will be here next Monday and Tuesday. But the fact is, “When you have the kind of tax and regulatory policies in place (that Illinois does) . . . you are enticing businesses to fail.”
Mr. Perry wouldn’t say which local companies he’ll be meeting with at the big biotech conference here next week, but argued many companies would benefit from Texas’ “light” tax burden, “fair and predictable” regulatory climate, “sweeping” tort reform and “accountable” public schools. […]
Mr. Quinn, in a separate phone interview, noted that two big biotech firms, Astellas Pharma and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., recently opened large North American headquarters in the Chicago area, and that the biotech meeting again will be held in Chicago in 2016. “I’m not sure they’ve ever met in Texas,” said Mr. Quinn.
Um, it’s not about bashing Illinois? Really? Was he not listening to his own voice when he made that ad?
* And even Pat Brady got into the act, defending his home state…
llinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said he’d welcome Perry if he wanted to offer support to Republican gubernatorial candidates. But a recruiting trip, he can do without.
“I like Gov. Perry, he’s been a good leader for Texas, but I don’t think it’s productive for him to come in here and do this so publicly,” Brady said. “Stealing jobs from Illinois is not going to help.” […]
If Perry’s strategy is in part political, Brady said, it’s not a good one.
“I don’t think it’s a great way to impress Republican donors,” Brady said, adding that even a harsh critic of Illinois’ current leadership like himself wants the state to succeed. “We live, work and pay taxes here.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:23 am
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Yes he’s bashing Illinois. Really he is bashing the Illinois Gov Policies. Did he say the state was bad? or its people? no, but its a bad place to do business. Those upset by it may be upset because it hits too close to home.
Comment by RonOglesby Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:30 am
Your link to the ad isn’t working.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:30 am
Thanks. Link is fixed. Oops.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:37 am
Perry says we need to get out while there’s time and go to Texas, which is at or near the top in the number of minimum wage workers, has among the most people of any state without health insurance, has a political party that seriously considered banning the teaching of “critical thinking” in schools and has a median income that is still lower than Illinois.
No thanks.
Even with the debt, Illinois has a lot going for it. We have a socially moderate culture, great schools, a rich history, a relatively-low income tax, stronger organized labor, great cities, etc. I think we should advertise our progressive side to the states that are trying to poach our jobs. That’s another reason I hope gay marriage passes, because it will make us more progressive and popular.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:38 am
Script Translator:
“Hi, I’m Rick Perry and I’m running for president of the United States. I’m reaching out here on my state’s dime to all potential big money contributors in California, New York and Illinois.
“See, I’m lucky here in Texas to be sitting on an ocean of oil, mucho dolares federales in defense spending and all the cheap, abused, undocumented labor you can ignore coming across the Rio Grande.
“That way, I get to pretend I’m like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs or some smart alecky pointy head like that — a job creator. Fact is, I had nothing to do with it, but I’ll take it.
“Won’t you please send me some money once I formally announce for president? I made a fool out of myself last time, and sure would like to get that taste of humiliation out of my mouth.
“I promise this time I’ll study hard, remember my remembering, and cut back on the painkillers so I won’t nod off during debates.
“Y’all come.”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:40 am
I wonder if Perry will brag about which state has more children living in poverty? Or about which state has the most people without health coverage? Or which state has the highest proportion of working poor? The highest school dropout rate? Didn’t think so.
Comment by reformer Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:42 am
Good ad, but who is the audience?
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:47 am
@reformer…
If Illinois was on the border it would have those same problems. Much more people coming in with little to no language skills. Again. you are not defeating the arguments just trying to toss back another insult… insults dont impact a business decision.
Comment by RonOglesby Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:47 am
It’s getting mighty hot down there in Texas. And worse yet, dry. They’re currently suing their fellow states and Mexico just to get more water. And those trends aren’t going to reverse over the decades to come, and perhaps intensify much faster than many people imagine. I wouldn’t be surprised if fresh water supplants oil as the most important state resource of the 21st century.
Still, I grant within any current adult businessman’s lifetime that might not be (yet) a major consideration. But if you’re truly thinking long-term business, er, climate, I’m not so sure I’d “bet on Texas.”
Comment by ZC Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:52 am
- insults dont impact a business decision. -
Yeah, and neither do silly ads by blowhards. If businesses decide the numbers work better for them in Texas, they’ll move to Texas. We’ve been hearing from the Uhaul crowd for a couple years now, I’ve yet to see a mass exodus of businesses.
Perry might want to focus on figuring out who’s going to hire a generation of students that believe dinosaurs and man lived together, and that critical thinking leads to heresy.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 10:58 am
I’m not leaving. As ZC said, there’s not enough water in the Southwest to sustain the population they already have.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:03 am
While there is no doubt that Illinois has infinitely greater potential than Texas ever will, there is also no doubt that Illinois’ government is not an advantage, business-wise.
To counter an effort to poach our businesses, the first step that we should take should be to admit to ourselves that we do have a number of very serious shortcomings.
To toss insults at Texas and it’s efforts to nurture it’s economy will do nothing to keep employers here and attract new employers. Instead, let’s make an effort to improve our own business climate…by ruthlessly eliminating anti-business factors and by aggressively fostering positive change in Illinois.
Illinois politicians should be pushed to think about the net effects on business of whatever they do.
Comment by JoeVerdeal Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:15 am
on this day of sadness for Texas, I’m going to hold my words about Governor Perry. Suffice it to say, I’m glad that he will not be traveling here today. (he’s staying home to help with that horrible incident, right?)
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:18 am
Because if there’s one thing Gov. Perry’s Texas is known for it’s providing a hand out to those in need.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:20 am
Just about every professional I know, and every “high tech” and brainpower business, is planning their Illinois exit strategy. With the massive pension obligation that Springfield created that provided little or no value to the citizens and taxpayers, most people understand that there will only be two choices; shaft the public employees or raise taxes and fees to such an unaffordable rate that earning here will be practically impossible.
Most reasonable professionals and professional businesses who aren’t feeding at the corrupt political trough have figured out that the Dem and RINO “plan” is to suck this state dryer than a Texas drought. There’s a simple way to avoid paying for the decades of corruption and mismanagment that Madigan, Quinn, Ryan and Edgar made, and a large majority of Illinois voters ebdorsed by their political support for them…LEAVE! …and that’s exactly what’ll happen in increasing numbers of the “earners” in Illinois.
Comment by Palos Park Bob Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:27 am
=I wonder if Perry will brag about…=
During the presidential campaign I recall him bragging that Texas led the nation in executions.
Comment by Rudy Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:37 am
The larger a business is, the harder it is to leave an established site. Small businesses & sole proprietorships can leave a state easily, and when they do, aren’t as noticeable or reported.
I have no idea what the actual “net” numbers are - but anecdotally I do know of several folks who have moved out of state in the past five-ten years. Not retirees either - employed or self-employed people. (More than I know of new people who’ve moved here.)
There are consequences to actions. Tax burdens are a factor in businesses making decisions. If IL doesn’t want to hear poaching from TX, WI, IN, etc. they need to keep that in mind before they implement legislation that gives those states ammo against us.
Comment by BleugrassBoy Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 12:01 pm
It’s a refreshing sign of progress that Republican and state corporate leaders are getting off the “Illinois is bad” message. For a long time they were building political support by bashing our state and that had the unfortunate consequence of depressing actual business confidence. I’m glad that the loyal opposition is finding a way to make a policy argument while still proudly trumpeting our state as one of the best places in the world.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 12:01 pm
“Texas Wide Open for Business is the official brand for the Texas Economic Development Division within the Office of the Governor.”
My tin foil hat is on:
It’s a not so grand strategy.
Conservative GOPers are all in on using one state’s economic development PR budget to bash Dem states as a way to subsidize the cost of spreading their good word.
Prior to the 2012 presidential conventions Chrisite’s NJ ads ran in Illinois markets while his “biographer” made appearances on WGN radio. It seemed like Christie was attempting to get his name out for future recognition as a GOP VP nominee, or even 2016 Presidential candidate.
Maybe GOPers believe the Texas “economic development” ca$h helps with IL Dem party bashing as the IL GOP gubernatorial candidates prep.
They soften the state for 2016, too.
Tin foil hat is off.
Comment by Hans Sannity Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 12:22 pm
Texas would be great….if it weren’t for the Texans….
Comment by Chevy owner/Ford County Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 12:27 pm
Yep, we’re certainly seeing what that “limited government, low taxes and a pro-business environment” in Texas can do for you.
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/04/explosion-in-west-should-make-all-towns-question-zoning-decisions.html/
Comment by olddog Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 12:44 pm
I think anyone would have to think long and hard about moving my kids to a place where the governor can’t even pronounce “escape” on a radio ad (EX-cape? Are you in kindergarten?).
To contra PPBob, just about every business owner I know is not thinking about leaving.
That and 75 cents will get you a bag of chips.
Comment by Bill F. Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 1:03 pm
- Just about every professional I know, and every “high tech” and brainpower business, is planning their Illinois exit strategy. -
Yeah, and I’m sure just about everyone you see with a Link card loads their dogfood and sodas into an Escalade when they leave the store.
I have my doubts about your connections in the “brainpower business”.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 1:09 pm
Dan: Before you praise GOP honchos, did you see Rauner’s statement?
ZC: It’s ironic that Perry is a climate change denier, even as his state suffers the consequences of that change.
Comment by reformer Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 1:10 pm
“To contra PPBob, just about every business owner I know is not thinking about leaving.”
Then you must know a lot of “business owners” getting government business. That works for the city and federal providers, but unless you have “me first!” clout with the state, you could go out of business before you get paid what you owe.
The “big” companies that are getting huge subsidies to be here aren’t going to leave entirely. They’re just not going to pay their coporate taxes here nor expand here. Caterpillar and other large companies are overall cutting back here and expanding in sun belt low tax states like Texas and Tennessee.
Small business in the service industry is where the good paying job growth is, but with the risk of on line transaction taxes Illinois is a nonstarter for relocation from other states.
The problem with our corrupt body politic is that eventually those on the dole and those getting sweatheart deals for being overpaid in government and government contracting will remain, and no matter what you do that group won’t make pay more taxes than they take.
Comment by Palos Park Bob Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 1:20 pm
And yet here Perry is in Chicago, spearheaded by a radio ad, to take Illinois businesses to Texas. All the talk is about how bad Perry is and/or how bad Texas is, not how good we’ve got it in Illinois. I assure you that if Quinn were in Houston for the same purpose the chatter would center around how superior Texas is to Illinois (along with a healthy dose convict governors!)
Comment by Robo Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 1:25 pm
Guber’s clumsiness is Illinois’ shame. Even under his leadership Texas is kicking our butts. 17,000 jobs lost here last month; 9.6% unemployed. In Texas, 81,000 new jobs; 6.4% unemployed.
Comment by Mark Glennon Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 1:48 pm
=== In a press conference today about his trip to lure California businesses to Texas, Gov. Rick Perry boasted of statistics demonstrating Texas’ superior job climate, but bristled when a California reporter brought up a less flattering ranking: Texas’ top position among all states for worker deaths and injuries. ===
http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2013/02/perry-texas-worker-deaths-unrelated-to-regulation/
Comment by Bill White Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 2:44 pm
Gov. Perry needs to be reminded about Texas history. The rest of America helped them establish their independence. If not for that assistance, the Dallas Cowboys may have been a futbol team.
I had hoped to visit San Antonio and Austin in the near future, not now, no thanks.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 2:55 pm
Pee Pee, don’t let the “leaving Illinois” sign hit you in the back of the head on your way to Texas with all your enlightened biz friends.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 4:00 pm
Rick should ask Scott Walker about poaching jobs from Illinois.
http://chippewa.com/dunnconnect/news/local/wisconsin-falls-to-th-nationally-in-private-sector-job-growth/article_89903c76-98ca-11e2-9e0c-001a4bcf887a.html
Comment by tired of politics Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 4:21 pm
PPBob, drop the McCarthyism and name names.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 5:04 pm
- Just about every professional I know, and every “high tech” and brainpower business, is planning their Illinois exit strategy. -
You sold me, Pee Pee. Let me know if I can get the U-Haul biz for Abbot, Underwriters Labs, Motorola and all the big brains doing brainy work at UC, UofI, UIC, Northwestern, Argone, Fermi, etc.
Because there’s nothing more that big brain, high-tech business respects than a state government that will execute someone with an IQ of 61 who was railroaded through an indifferent judiciary.
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/08/texas-standard-executions-john-steinbeck
And I’m sure they’re all looking forward to sending their kids where The Flinstones is considered history class in the public schools.
http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2013/01/how-texas-public-schools-still-teach-creationism
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 8:50 pm
Wordslinger:
You haven’t heard that Texas has more high tech jobs than Illinois? Dell isn’t the only high tech employer in Texas. It’s hard for Illinois to compete with Texas , because Illinois doesn’t put job creation as a priority. I assure you Texas will have a higher population growth rate than Illinois for the rest of this decade.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:14 pm
–You haven’t heard that Texas has more high tech jobs than Illinois? Dell isn’t the only high tech employer in Texas. It’s hard for Illinois to compete with Texas , because Illinois doesn’t put job creation as a priority. I assure you Texas will have a higher population growth rate than Illinois for the rest of this decade.–
All that federal tax money for NASA and defense contractors can do that for you.
But they still execute the developmentally disabled and teach The Flinstones as history in the public schools.
As far as population growth, I suspect you’re right. They’re right on the Rio Grande and they love the cheap labor from the south. No papers, no unions, no health benefits, no questions asked.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/us/18texas.html?_r=0
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 18, 13 @ 11:27 pm