"During my time in Springfield, the governor's budget office offered several options for cutting spending. Along with suggestions from (the) Illinois Policy (Institute), there exist enough options to pass a budget without tax increases," wrote Arduin, who added that Rauner has nonetheless said he is willing to balance the budget with a mix of spending cuts and taxes. "There was no need for me to continue to wait, while being paid by taxpayers, for Speaker Madigan to decide to choose from a menu of options to fix Illinois before the remainder of jobs leave the state."