Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has a lot of surgery to do on his state, which is why it was so surprising to hear him say he wants to "rip the economic guts out of Indiana."
Perhaps he'd like to visit Northwest Indiana and talk to the Illinois transplants here about why they left Illinois. Most cite tax reasons, although they miss their old neighborhoods.
Rauner should also talk to fellow Republican Gov. Mike Pence about ways the two states could collaborate, especially about ways to build the economy throughout the Chicago area, of which Northwest Indiana is a part.
All it takes is a look at commuting patterns to see the work force is very mobile throughout the Chicago area. The state line is not a barrier when it comes to employment.
Rauner's comments came at a time when the Indiana Statehouse was reeling from a foolish decision that made Indiana appear to be unwelcoming toward gays and lesbians. Indiana learned quickly from that mistake, however, and changed the law accordingly.
Illinois has major work ahead. Rauner has his hands full. He should move quickly to rebuild Illinois from within and make it a more competitive state nationally. Illinois has to address the public employee pension crisis, with a solution awaiting Supreme Court review. It also has to bring its tax rates down, and of course spending as well. That will make the state more attractive to economic development.
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