David Yepsen
Yepsen: Consider California, Florida redistricting models
So where do we go from here on redistricting reform in Illinois? Florida and California might have some answers.
The 2011 session of the Illinois Legislature is in the process of redrawing legislative and congressional district lines to reflect population changes in the state. Historically, this has been a controversial process in Illinois, one that often contributes to public cynicism and disgust for its secretive and backroom nature.
Efforts to change this process failed last year. There was a lack of consensus in how to proceed in the Legislature and a late start in trying to execute a ballot initiative. › Continue reading
Yepsen: Madigan offers straight talk about the budget
By David Yepsen, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan deserves credit for offering a little candor when it comes to the state budget mess in Illinois. He sounded Churchillian when he warned his colleagues recently that they “can’t kick the can down the road any further” on issues like unemployment benefits, health care for retired state workers and pensions.
“We’re all familiar with the inadequate funding of the state pension systems, he said. “Again, tough decision making, telling people you’re not going to get everything you thought you were going to get, telling people you may have to pay in more. Not easy stuff. So we better get ready for it.” › Continue reading
Yepsen: Another headache for Obama
By David Yepsen, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute
Next week’s election promises to be a bad one for President Obama and his fellow Democrats. The news is full of stories about the congressional and statehouse losses Democrats are expected to suffer.
The president has something else on his political plate that should worry him: The 2010 Census means a reapportionment of congressional districts in 2011 that is likely to add weight to Republican-leaning states in the Electoral College and take strength away from more Democratic ones.
In a close presidential election in 2012, such a change could be a factor in an Obama defeat. › Continue reading
Yepsen: Younger voters still need to register before November
By David Yepsen, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute
Click Here to Download a PDF Version of this Map
A lot is at stake in the 2010 elections yet many students and eligible voters under age 25 aren’t signed up to participate.
That’s surprising considering what’s at stake for younger voters in this election. The nation has record deficits and record debt. Which generation gets to pay that off, or get fewer services or pay higher interest rates as a result? › Continue reading
Yepsen: Ill. should consolidate debt and pay it off
Illinois is a deadbeat state. It doesn’t pay its bills on time.
As a result, the state earns some of the poorest credit ratings of any state in the country. That isn’t some obscure thing. It has real consequences. It makes us unattractive for economic development and that hurts our ability to recover from the recession. (If we had more growth, we’d have more tax revenues.)
A lot of people who work for places that provide government services are being laid off and managers are scrambling, focusing on bailing out the boat when they should be delivering a service. The lousy credit rating also means it costs more to pay interest when the state, schools, cities and universities have to borrow money for building projects.
Here’s one idea that ought to be considered. It’s not a complete solution but it’s a start: It’s called a consolidation loan, to be paid off with a surcharge on the state income tax. › Continue reading
VIDEO: Yepsen on Congressional $26B “jobs bill”
Both the Democrats and the Republicans have made valid points during debate of a $26 billion stimulus bill for states, says Institute director David Yepsen.
Congress was called back to Washington D.C. to vote on the bill, which several states are relying on for their fiscal year 2011. Illinois, which would benefit by $1 billion if the bill is passed, assumed this bill would pass and therefore included its earning in the state budget.
Yepsen also talked about a comment made by state Sen. Bill Brady, who is challenging Gov. Pat Quinn in the upcoming statewide election. During a tour stop in Quincy, Ill., Brady said he would level the budget in his first year of office.
The discussion is featured in this week’s video commentary…
VIDEO: Yepsen talks Blago, campaign contributions
* Related from the Southern Illinoisan…
Despite Democrats being better off without Blagojevich in the headlines, Yepsen said the trial has had a much smaller impact on the party than he originally though. He said voters who chose to punish the party for Blagojevich’s actions had already made up their minds not to vote Democrat and few were swayed by the actual trial.
“This is not a voting issue for some people,” Yepsen said.
He said surprisingly Democrats have seemingly improved their positions in spite of the trial.
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