Press Release: Whitney Promises to Fight for Full Employment and Bring Good Jobs to Illinois

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney has announced that it will be the goal of his administration to create “genuine full employment” at wages that will “allow every working person to be able to support a family.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 21, 2006

Contact: Jennifer Rose, Whitney for Governor, 618-528-VOTE,
campaignmanager@whitneyforgov.org, www.whitneyforgov.org

Whitney says that to attain this goal the state cannot continue to rely upon the failed strategies of past governors: offering tax incentives, subsidies, enterprise zones and other forms of “corporate welfare” designed to attract big business to Illinois. “Forty nine other states -- not to mention low-wage competitors like China, Mexico and India – are always striving to outdo us in this kind of ‘race to the bottom’. The only winners in that game are the multinational corporations.”

“I don’t know where politicians got the idea that all businesses care about are tax breaks and giveaways.” Said Whitney. “We need strategies to attract solid, socially responsible businesses to Illinois, but we shouldn’t be giving away the store to do it. We also need strategies that will help us grow our own businesses.”

Whitney is promoting a ten-point plan to help create a beneficial business climate that would create quality jobs in Illinois. His plan includes:

1. Renovating our infrastructure.

2. Building new, high-speed rail systems.

3. Improving energy conservation.

4. Supporting the development of clean, renewable energy. (including clean coal technology)

5. Supporting small businesses — for real.

6. Promoting capital improvement and public works.

7. Creating more, better-paying social service jobs.

8. Raising the minimum wage.

9. Passing a living wage law.

10. Making corporations accountable and encouraging other forms of business ownership

Other proposals, like universal health care and overhauling the outmoded tax system, will save employers enormous amounts over time. While these proposals will cost taxpayer money they will be more than offset by decreases in costs like crime, unemployment insurance and welfare. Whitney claims making prudent investments in the public sector will make Illinois more attractive to businesses. “Businesses will be attracted by having a well-educated and well-trained workforce, higher productivity and a high quality infrastructure.”

Please see the entire Whitney Jobs position at:
http://whitneyforgov.org/articles/Employment.html

With Labor Day around the corner, the Whitney Campaign encourages you to draw distinctions between the gubernatorial candidates and each candidates' proposals to improve employment and bring better jobs to Illinois workers.

Contact: Jennifer Rose, Whitney for Governor, 618-528-VOTE,
campaignmanager@whitneyforgov.org, www.whitneyforgov.org