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TMA applauds Rauner State of State message

Yesterday's State of the State message from Governor Rauner hit all the high points of addressing concerns of Illinois manufacturers with viable solutions. The governor's efforts to affect the high costs of doing business in our state such as workers' compensation and property taxes are vigorously supported by the Technology & Manufacturing Association and its members.

"The policies of the past 12 years out of Springfield have especially hurt the manufacturing sector," offered Steve Rauschenberger, TMA president. "With the loss of good paying manufacturing jobs that have strong benefits, we fully support the governor's 2016 initiatives to help reinvigorate our industry and bring prosperity back to Illinois."

"If we do not reverse our course, we will continue to see a downward spiral of our state and a continued squandering of our assets, such as our quality, trained workforce and transportation infrastructure," Rauschenberger continued. "While the legislative ledger last year perhaps was not as successful in improving our ability to attract and retain manufacturers as it should have been, our members have seen a much more cooperative response from the state agencies we are dealing with today. The regulatory burden that our member face is starting to lessen."

"These attitudinal changes by state regulators and their willingness to help TMA members to be successful send positive signals that manufacturers and the jobs they provide are much appreciated. Though not as sexy as the legislative battles in Springfield, the small regulatory victories our members are experiencing demonstrate that a much-needed change is occurring because of the election of Bruce Rauner. TMA and its members will assist the governor and the legislature in achieving the actions outlined yesterday by the governor. Only by addressing those areas outlined by the governor that cause Illinois to be noncompetitive will we be able to get our state finances back on track," Rauschenberger concluded.

Eight small manufacturing companies who thought they could better themselves by associating with one another founded the Technology & Manufacturing Association in 1925. Through the years, members established programs and services to help their businesses grow and prosper, train their employees, and provide medical and retirement benefits. TMA has grown into an almost 1,000 member nonprofit organization representing more than 30,000 employees of precision manufacturing and supplier companies throughout Illinois.

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