Rauner budget is the right start

In the aftermath of the governor's budget proposal speech, the majority of Democrats in the House and Senate and even some of their Republican colleagues decried nearly every aspect of Gov. Rauner's plan. Some said it was unrealistic, others claimed it cuts too deeply, and still others said that it should have included tax hikes.

In all reality, there are a number of aspects in his budget proposal that are deserving of praise, not the least of which is his decision to exclude tax hikes. Most importantly, Gov. Rauner's speech gave us insight into how he will govern. Rather than taking from taxpayers, Rauner has started the budgeting conversation with a focus on how the government can spend less.

As the chief executive of a state in the midst of a disastrous fiscal condition, Rauner's budget plans are admirable and necessary. Reducing the amount of taxpayer dollars the government consumes is the best way to start the climb out of this hole previous administrations have dug for the state. The last thing Illinoisans need right now is a higher tax burden. Rauner understands that increasing the size of the budget doesn't help in making the government efficient. This budget proposal is the first we've seen of its kind in quite some time.

His approach stands in stark contrast to those of recent general assemblies and administrations here in Illinois. In his last budget address, Governor Quinn made the case for making the 2011 income tax hike permanent, while proposing over $1 billion in additional spending. Of course, Quinn and the current legislative leaders, Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton, led the effort to pass a 67 percent income tax hike on all Illinoisans in 2011, all while continuing to increase overall spending.

With promises of a temporary tax hike, he then tried to make these changes permanent against Illinoisans' wishes. And prior to Quinn, Gov. Blagojevich skipped pension payments, diverted special funds and bonded state debt, all to continue the state's runaway spending. Government has grown at a rate that is just not manageable.

Rauner's budget proposal is a dose of reality that includes painful, but necessary cuts to government programs. This is a budget that Illinois can afford. Just like every Illinois family, state government should have to stick to a budget where we don't spend more money than we have. Unfortunately, for most of the last decade that is exactly what our government has done. Illinois' leaders have passed dishonest budgets that they knew spent more than the state would bring in. This budget plan is starting the process of fixing our problems by keeping us honest. Curbing government spending is the first place we must make changes.

While there are tough cuts, this budget also allows for economic growth. With less government intrusion through spending, Illinoisans can expect to see more opportunity. The governor's choice to release a tight budget makes difficult cuts while also taking on special interests. Rauner is taking the steps toward creating a government that works for Illinois taxpayers.

After years of mismanagement by his predecessors, Gov. Rauner is finally making the tough decisions Illinois has long needed. Illinoisans must take this time to hold the governor and legislature accountable for making the government live within its means. With more fiscal responsibility, the governor has created opportunity for Illinois. Now, it is time lawmakers to realize this budget is what Illinois can afford and we must live within our means, just like every Illinoisan.

David From is the Illinois state director of Americans for Prosperity, a free-market advocacy group.