The Mike Bertelsen Project

Since Bill Brady announced his candidacy eleven months ago today, he has criss-crossed the state countless times, logged thousands of miles in the air and on the road, and committed countless hours to getting his message out to the voters of Illinois.

There is no candidate who has worked harder in this campaign than Bill Brady. He's been out there proving to Republican voters that he's the true and proven conservative candidate in this election. He talks the talk and, unlike others, he has walked the walk-- from retooling his business in these tough economic times to casting the tough votes and standing up for his principles in the legislature.

Bill Brady is the true conservative in this race, with a proven track record on the issues that matter most to Republican voters.

As the only Downstate candidate in this election, Bill Brady offers a clean break from the Chicago-style politics and politicians of the past. He will run a transparent and trustworthy government, restoring Illinois integrity and image.

Bill Brady is the only candidate with business and legislative experience. Of all the candidates for Governor, Republican or Democrat, Bill Brady is the only one who has stood solidly and consistently against raising taxes. And, as Governor, he will continue to do so.

Bill Brady is also the only candidate to have earned the endorsement of both statewide pro-life groups, because he believes government has an obligation to protect innocent human life.

He is a consistent supporter and advocate of the Second Amendment. As a member of both the NRA and Illinois State Rifle Association, Bill Brady has fought efforts to weaken the Second Amendment with gun control laws, further restrictions on ownership and attempts to outlaw specific weapons.

Please take the time to vote for Bill Brady today, because you want a new direction for Illinois.

Take the time to vote for Bill Brady, because you want a Governor who can balance the budget and, like your business and family, won't spend money the state doesnt have.

Cast your vote for Bill Brady, because you want a Governor who will bring jobs back to Illinois and keep any more jobs from leaving the state.

Tell your family and friends to vote for Bill Brady, because it is time to end the culture of greed and corruption in Illinois politics and make our state a place we can be proud of again.

Vote today. The polls close at 7 p.m. Then join us at our Election Day celebration at the Bloomington Doubletree, 1 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington.

The fiscal 2009 deficit, which stood at $4.2 billion, will be reduced to $2.3 billion in the new fiscal year through revenues from the federal stimulus package, $300 million from dedicated funds and $600 million from a less than perfect bond refinancing scheme.

I believe we can manage that budget, if the administration holds the line on spending, while we undertake a serious and overdue review of the entire revenue and spending priorities of government today.

Those agencies that were fully funded at last year's levels should hold back 10 percent of their budgets in reserve. Those services that were funded at 50 percent should limit their spending over the next six months to 90 percent of their appropriation last year.

There will be some sacrifice but that managed spending will allow government to continue to function and serve our most vulnerable populations with fewer layoffs, fewer closings and fewer people left without assistance than what the Governor has been threatening.

Governor Quinn should come back to the General Assembly in the fall with a supplemental budget that recognizes the savings realized through efficiencies, management and prioritization and that uses those savings to fund needed services in other areas of government.

We also need to reform our spending. Let's start by reining in spending with a comprehensive look at how and where Illinois spends your tax dollars. Let's look at reforming our Medicaid program, where Illinois has lagged behind other states by not instituting a managed care system that reduces costs and increases access to quality health care. Let's refinance our debt with a bonding system that spreads the lower cost over time without taking a two-year payment-free holiday that pushes another $600 million on to our children and grandchildren.

Illinois is at a crossroads, our task difficult, and our choices not easy. But a tax increase that takes billions of dollars out of our economy and hands it to a deep-rooted bureaucracy resistant to change is not the answer.

We can do better, and we must do better for the future of Illinois.

Remember State Senate Republicans have called for spending reforms and Bill's debt refinancing plan makes good sense.