RAUNER

Gov. Bruce Rauner was as specific Wednesday as he has ever been since entering politics.

 

The governor delivered his State of the State address Wednesday, putting the state of the state this way: “It is make-or-break time for the Land of Lincoln,” he said.

 

He spoke to lawmakers for 30 minutes, calling for a reduction in worker compensation costs, a new tax system – presumably a sales tax on some services – and for lawmakers to put term limits on the ballot. He also promised more money for education, and more prison guards.

 

“The conditions in our prisons are unacceptable. Inmates and corrections officers alike find themselves in an unsafe environment. It’s wrong. We will hire more correctional officers to improve safety in our prisons,” he said.

 

He also promised to raise the minimum wage, which prompted applause. The applause stopped when lawmakers heard that it would be to $10 an hour over seven years.

 

Also:

–  He said he wants to incentivize state workers to find efficiencies in government.

–  He wants construction unions that run apprenticeship programs to diversify

–  He reiterated the local right-to-work idea that he announced in Decatur last week

–  He announced that the lieutenant governor would work on ways to consolidate local governments and eliminate unfunded mandates, in the name of saving money.