CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Ben — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 09:54:22 -0000

See the editorial in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

North of I-80 — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 05:10:08 -0000

If raising the minimum wage is such a good thing and $10 per hour [or $13 w/benefits] "living wage" is such a good thing, then why not $15 per hour? Following the logic, $30 per hour would be a better "living wage". And $10 per toll booth would be a better "living toll" for the toll authority... and raising the fuel tax to $10 per gallon would make for a better "living tax" for the IL General Fund... right?

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Carlos — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 00:23:13 -0000

Capitalista said:

"This is because standard economic theory dictates that (all else being equal)"

When in the real world is "all else" equal? And what is the "vast majority" of economic theory? Like the number of pages, studies, or economists or what? Sources would be nice (like a review of the literature or survey of economists).

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

taxmandan — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 23:08:11 -0000

This whole Ã¢â‚¬Å“big boxÃ¢â‚¬Â thing has gotten ridiculous. Either raise the minimum wage for the entire state or drop it. Of course its easy to bash Ã¢â‚¬Å“Big Box CorporationsÃ¢â‚¬Â they donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t vote! I am pretty curious as to why any lawmaker would pass a law that contains so many loop holes. Is a law targeting Ã¢â‚¬Å“big boxÃ¢â‚¬Â retailers a serious proposal, or is it a political statement only, meaning they will pass it even though they know it will be bounced out of court? If the answer is yes, then Democrats who support this get a political win, even though they know the law has no chance of surviving judicial scrutiny. They can still say, Ã¢â‚¬Å“we triedÃ¢â‚¬Â and at the same time not jeopardize Illinois commerce.

Keep in mind when debating laws such as this, the following quote from my favorite US president: Ã¢â‚¬Å“Government is never more dangerous then when our desire to have it help us, blinds us to itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s great power to harm us.Ã¢â‚¬Â Ronald Reagan July 17, 1980.

The bottom line is, be careful about trading big box for big government.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Reformed — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 23:03:46 -0000

I can't wait for Pat to be Governor after Rod wins in November and then is convicted. Finally a true progressive at the helm.......

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Anon — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 22:37:02 -0000

Good idea Pat. You got my vote.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Out of 1 Pocket into Someone E — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:30:04 -0000

I you think that businesses such as WalMart and the other big box stores are going to absorb to "live wage", please think again. Walmart will just increase its prices to pay the increased wages. That means that you and I will be paying for the "living wage". Just add it onto the inflation rates. Pretty soon, it will be less expensive to go to the local store rather than the big box.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

ZC — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:15:10 -0000

When exactly did liberals become fans of employer-provided health insurance? Isn't part of the whole liberal mission ultimately to get the government paying more for the health care business, and private corporations less? That's my hope, anyways.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

red — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:05:19 -0000

About time, I say.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Patrick McDonough — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 18:29:12 -0000

Another man works for the Government. Wow I was wongering were they all went, to the ladies room?

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Levois — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:18:54 -0000

This is bad news.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Walking Wounded — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:50:12 -0000

Cal,
Common Sense is correct-it was Howlett, son/heir to the SOS Michael Howlett. Robert was later annointed the director of SOS Police and is now pulling down a fine retirement. Feel safer now?

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Capitalista — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:24:48 -0000

Well, Political Insider, at least part of your post is true, the minimum wage is a joke. That being said, the idea of higher wages driving down employment is consistent with the vast majority of economic theory, all else being equal. In some cases, employment may not go down visibly after a 'living wage' is enacted, but another aspect of the business suffers.

This is because standard economic theory dictates that (all else being equal) as wages increase, the overall costs of doing business increase. This forces businesses to either lose money or save money in another way. While a business may not fire workers, they may purchase fewer goods to sell, reduce maintenance on their property, etc. It is a fact, when a wage floor is put into place, businesses will seek to work around it, in one way or another.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Establishment Republican — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:11:49 -0000

Is Quinn considering a run for Mayor?

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Lovie's Leather — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:55:03 -0000

"My view is that there is more than plenty of evidence that when the minimum wage has been raised there has been no measurable impact on employment."
You are right, there has been no measurable impact on employment. But it has screwed over people that have been in jobs for 5 years. I have been saying this on this blog for a year now! I started my job at $5.15/hour. 5 years later I make almost $7/ hour (part-time). My pay got docked when my employer had to start paying new people $6.50 instead of $5.15. Minimum wage raises make the poor with experience poorer. Thanks Rod, for docking my pay and raising the pay of the newbies. What a joke....

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Ivory-billed woodpecker — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:51:08 -0000

Larry M.,

Excellent explanation for why we need a single payer, national health insurance system. Somebody really ought to do something.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Common Sense in Illinois — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:45:58 -0000

Cal:

The officer was Robert Howlette, and wasn't the suitcase yours?

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Political Insider — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:34:18 -0000

In every town and state that has passed a living wage law the big box retailers as well as the rest of the retail community have seen increased sales and profits. The minimum wage is a joke.

Also, if you look at big box vs mom-and-pop there is a higher level of management/supervisor wage and an overall higher wage per employee at the mom-and-pop stores.

Will Wal-Mart, Target, Schnucks, Albertsons and others leave the state? NO

The reason that they will wait until after the election is that the republicans have convinced America that higher wages mean less jobs and a poorer economy. This is a false statement, and has been proven as such time after time. It's just that the facts don't fir into a simple sound bite, and therefore are not "popular".

If you don't belive me, just do a bit of digging and find the actual results for yourself. (No cheating by going to the US Chamber of Commerce site, they are opposed to any regulation on any biz)

As far as finding a good employee goes.. After years in management, I can assure you that treating your employees well will keep them coming into work. Pay them a decent wage, and don't try to screw them on their insurance, and you will have a hugely loyal workforce. Just stop into any Costco and see for yourself. (they already pay their employees a living wage and give real bennifits. They also have the lowest employee turn-over of any Big-Box retailer)

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Cal Skinner — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:27:56 -0000

So, does anyone but I remember when the SOS policeman shot a suit case found unattended at the Stratton Building?

Who was that officer and what is he doing now?

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Common Sense in Illinois — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:17:58 -0000

Make that State Police, SOS Police and others.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Common Sense in Illinois — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:16:39 -0000

Rich:

There are reports that Springfield Police have been called to the CMS Department in Springfield. Appartently an employee has brought a gun into the building.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Garp — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:08:40 -0000

Go Pat! Go Pat!
You da one!
Go Pat! Go Pat!

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Grocery Guy — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:07:04 -0000

In Santa Fe, NM which has a living wage of over $9.00 per hour -- Wal-Mart is seeking to expand into a Supercenter. These Big Box guys can afford it -- they just don't want to pay for it.

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Larry Mullholland — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:05:11 -0000

ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Why would any employee choose the employer's weak insurance plan? In most instances, employers require a $$ contribution from the employee. The employees can get FREE health care from the STATE OF ILLINOIS and their local hospitals.

I have seen this first hand. A business offers a plan. The employee signs up, then chooses down the road to "opt out" because of the co-pay. The workers know full well that if they get injured or sick they can simply walk into ANY E.R. for treatment! The hospitals will turn it in for some type of government reimbursement, then try to collect what they can and then write off the rest. But the liberals blame the business man.....
The fact is it will only cost the consumer, not the employers. The costs will be passed down.

The government should not mandate a high wage. What incentive do these low level workers have?

Find me ANY worker who show up on time, works hard and is never a no call/no show and I can assure you this person is worth and will be paid far more that what the government demands they be paid!!!!!!!...........I am tired of it! Almost every where a new Walmart goes in, there is a significant business and tax base boom in the immediate area! Why is that so bad?

Re: Quinn wants “big box” law for Illinois

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:02:52 -0000

There are a FEW jobs left in Illinois from Blagojevich-Quinn. Let's drive the rest of them out!