Stupid Indiana Flanders

Two governors in states bordering Illinois are celebrating the Prairie State's massive tax increase.

"You guys are nothing if not entertaining. It's like living next door to the Simpsons — the dysfunctional family down the block." ~Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, commenting on Tuesday's rush to raise taxes in Springfield, IL

Wisconsin's new governor, Scott Walker, is more succinct: "Escape to Wisconsin."

Bill Ecton, 54, owns Ecton's True Value Hardware in Robinson, Ill., just a few miles from the Indiana border. He was resigned to the fact that Illinois ultimately would raise taxes to repair the budget, but he said the taxes will take a toll.

"If I have to pay more to the state, it's money that I can't pay out in wages," Ecton said. "I'm not saying I'm laying people off, but maybe I'm going to look twice at adding another one."