Republican candidate for governor Bill Brady brought his campaign to southern Illinois Wednesday.
As part of an 8-city tour, Brady met with workers at Com-Pac International in Carbondale Wednesday morning. Com-Pac owner and CEO Greg Sprehe introduced Brady, saying he is what businesses in the state needs. Brady says growing career oriented jobs is his top priority. Brady also says any effort to reduce the state's minimum wage is out of touch with reality. Brady says the state should hold the line on the minimum wage and couple that with comprehensive business reforms that will help grow what he calls career oriented jobs that pay a living wage.
Brady also says SIU is an economic engine for the southern Illinois region and the state needs to fulfill its funding obligations to it and the state's other public universities. Brady says the state can provide more education funding by eliminating fraud in the state Medicaid system.
On the subject of pensions, Brady says the new pension law was a necessary step in preserving public university and other state employee pensions. He says the reform protects everything earned to date and still allows for growth. Brady says the reforms also protect those state employees who are not eligible for social security.
Brady also visited Metropolis, Anna, Carterville, Marion, Harrisburg, Murphysboro, Tamms, and Metropolis on Wednesday.