Edgar's tenure marked as prudent

This is in response to a letter from a disgruntled ex-state employee that criticized former Gov. Jim Edgar and me (Edgar's former chief of staff). Generally, Mr. Edgar is regarded as the most financially prudent governor in recent memory. His administration inherited nearly $1 billion in debt during a recession, “downsized” state government and Edgar left over $1.5 billion in the state treasury when he left office — all without an income tax increase!

On a personal note, I have never voted for a general tax increase and voted “no” on seven of the last eight state budgets. The bottom line of why there is a whopping 67 percent income tax increase is the Democrats (who controlled every office in state government the past eight years) do not have it in their DNA to cut the state budget, and Illinois rates 48th in job creation.

State Sen. Kirk W. Dillard

Naperville