The Mike Bertelsen Project

There was a front page article in the Rock Island Argus/Moline Dispatch on Friday, October 24, 2008 titled: "Don't tax, just spend". An interesting take on the way folks polled feel about taxes and the current programs going on in Illinois.

A poll released on Thursday the 23rd by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute showed people don't want more taxes, but do not want a cut in spending in 90% of the programs. Fewer that 1 in 4 want reductions in education, public safety, natural resources, public pensions and welfare. 78% said they do not want an increase in the sales tax and do not want services taxed.

State Representatives Lisa Dugan, D-Bradley, said duplicate services are a big culprit. I agree. We need to look at state programs to see if any agencies are running the same programs. If so, cut one. We have to bring spending in line to truly attack the budget crisis and ending duplication of services is a good way to start.

On the 23rd I released my state investment bank initiative to the press. The SIB would originally be funded by a $10 billion bond issue. That $10 billion is the amount that the lottery would be leased for.

I propose that the bond issue be used to pay for the $1.5 billion needed to receive the $6 billion from the Federal Government for highway and bridge improvements. $250,000,000 would be used to pay for the bond issue, $1.5 billion to pay back the teachers pension, $2,000,000,000 to pay the Medicaid bills still on the books and $400,000,000 to pay the maintenance for two years on the $20 billion debt previously issued to the State.

This would leave $4.35 billion left to pay for the tax credits issued to businesses for job creation. This would also free up appropriations previously in the budget to perhaps start new programs in the economic development area.

I know it is risky in this economic climate and I am concerned about a total $30 billion bond debt for Illinois if this goes through. The main objective is not to squander the money. The SIB would help monitor this bond issue more closely.

If elected I will pursue this initiative in hopes that Illinois can create jobs and help the budget crisis.

KLJB-Fox 18's Kurt Liske interviewed me on the 23rd about my state senate candidacy. The interview went well and Kurt did a very good job. I told him about my State Investment Bank (SIB) initiative. He seemed very receptive to the idea, as Illinois needs to pay the unpaid bills and work toward job creation.

Illinois City was the palce for the meet and greet sponsored by the Rock Island County Republicans. A big thank you to Susie Carpentier, Rock Island County GOP chairman and Bernie Thiergart, vice-chairman. The attendance was very good with about 80 people from lower Rock Island County and upper Mercer County.

State Senator Dale Righter from Mattoon was there on my behalf. Dale talked about the fiscal problems of Illinois and the results we need to show taxpayers. I talked about the need for a sunshine provision for the proposed budget BEFORE it is voted on by the state legislature and no more lump-sum appropiations in the budget so the money spent can be tracked easier.

Pictures:

Top: Jane Chandler, myself and Susie Carpentier
Next down: Don Richhart, a Freedom Rider from Moline
After that: Myself and State Senator Dale Righter, 55th District
Bottom: John McCutchan, myself and Kevin McCutchan sons of Mike and Kim McCutchan from rurul Aledo

On Thursday, October 16th, the Whiteside County Republicans held their first drawdown at the Candlelight Inn in Rock Falls. My thanks to Robbin Graddert, chairman of the Whiteside County organization. In attendance was Tim Bivins, 45th District Senator from Dixon and Jerry Mitchell, 90th State Representive.

A real good time with great food. I was very pleased with the help I've received from Whiteside County. I went to their county fair this past summer twice and I really was happy with all the kind comments.

I met a very special friend.....Carson Roman who is from Prophetstown. His mother is serving in Iraq and his father just recently got back from Iraq and is stateside. I was told that he may be going back to Iraq in a couple of months. Keep Carson and his family in your prayers! God Bless them!

Carson was a bit concerned I didn't get enough to eat, so he wanted to share his celery stick. He really is a sweet child.

I wish to tank all the folks from Riscky's in Reynolds for their kind hospitality and organization in hosting the meet and greet on Saturday, October 11th. We all had a great time and the food was really good. The attendance was super as several campaign supporters and well-wishers stopped in to say hello and good luck.

Picures:

top to bottom:
Jim Boruff from Aledo and Jane Chandler (my mom)
Me and Jamie Kanaday from Aledo
Jane Chandler and Bernie Thiergart from Moline
Mark Hemphill from Aledo and Vance DeBrunie from East Moline
Courtney Lower and me. Courtney just got married to Andy near Viola and the wedding party stopped by on the way to the reception in Milan. I did not kiss the bride. Campaigners are just to kiss babies!
Paula Nelson, Jane Chandler, Vicki Bull and Janet Long from Moline.

Note: Jamie and Jim went to see John McCain that morning in Davenport, IA

The Batter's Box in Orion was the place for the Henry County Family picnic on October 5th. State Senator Chris Lauzen was there on my behalf and I was pleased to see him again. He said he would like to see me in the state senate. I was very pleased with his remarks. Thanks Chris!!
Mr. Lauzen knows the current budget problem and he has been an advocate for better government these last ten years.

There were plenty of county board candidates there and it was good to see Terry Patten, State's Attorney for Henry County, Deb Doss, Circuit Clerk and Dave Johnson, County Coroner.

A special thanks goes to Jon Zahm for his organization in providing this event for us.

Pictures:

top picture: Terry Patten, Deb Doss and Dave Johnson
middle picture: Chris Lauzen, Roger Gradert, Art Goodrich, Rick Livesay and Loren Rathjen (top left to right) Bill Preston and Tim Wells (bottom left to right) County Board candidates for Henry County
bottom picture: Mike Bertelsen and Chris Lauzen

Aledo High School had their homecoming on Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th of October. My daughter Jackie, a senior at AHS was in the homecoming court. The game was that night and I met Pawel Deregowski from Poland a foreign exchange student. He has quite a dry sense of humor! He really likes America and the Aledo area. He's staying with Don and Deb Bowan.

pictures: top, me and Pawel bottom: Jackie Bertelsen and Haley Whitehall

We had an open house in Aledo on Saturday evening the 27th at the Vicki Bull residence. We had a good time, especially in Aledo, since the campaign takes so much time away from the Aledo. We certainly enjoy the support from Mercer County. Thanks to Iris and Gerald Paulsen for their kind support. Iris was the county board finance chairman my first two years as county treasurer.

On Saturday the 27th the local chapter of the Illinois Federation of Republican Women held their meet the candidate event at the Rock Island County Republican headquarters in Moline.

This was a statewide event with emphasis on supporting Republican candidates throughout Illinois.
I was very pleased to be part of this important event. Candidates in attendance were myself, U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Steve Sauerberg, Lawrence Bruckner, 71st State Rep candidate and Rich Morthland, Rock Island County Board, District 1 candidate.

I spoke about the need for better accountability and transparency in state government. I am for no "lump-sum" appropriating in the state budget. Also a "sunshine provision" for the proposed state budget of 15 days before the legislature votes on it. We have to get back to the fundamentals of good government in Illinois and by doing so we will save taxpayers money.

Pictures: top, myself, Steve Sauerberg and Rich Morthland
bottom, me speaking on the importance of good government