Week of March 30th, 2009

Last week, two of the many proposals that would limit gun owner rights were debated and defeated on the House floor. HB48, a measure that would limit private sales, require longer waiting periods and create a new fee for private sales of handguns was defeated by a vote of 55-60. Under the proposed law, even a gun loaned to a friend would have to been legally transferred via a federally licensed firearms dealer. Basically, HB48 was designed to cause more red tape, increase waiting periods, and make private, legal sales of handguns more difficult and costly. Of course, it would have in no way affected criminals who would use handguns illegally anyway. I highly doubt they worry about laws when they are contemplating a crime.

Another anti-gun proposal (HB179) lost by a vote of 54-62. HB179 would have required trigger locks, and made parents criminally liable in some cases if a member of the household under 18 even touches a firearm. The debate on this bill was intense. I want to thank all of those contacting me for your positions on these bills. Both bills could be called again before the third reading deadline. That is unlikely since they need many more votes for passage. However, I will continue to monitor oppose these types of bills. Hopefully, we will be able to continue to stop these assaults on the Second Amendment.

I have not heard whether any of the pro-gun bills proposed will be called for a vote. It appears that the current leadership of the House will oppose even a vote on conceal and carry legislation. It is a shame that these bills that are so important to many in the State will not even be allowed to have an up or down vote. But, remember, these are the same leaders that would not allow a vote on a special election for our U.S. Senate seat. Without a change at the top, we are likely to see this disregard for Democracy.

There continues to be a lot of talk about the governor’s budget proposal. His proposed increase in the state personal income tax from three percent to four and a half percent is not getting much support in current form. Many people who have contacted me expect the state to cut spending before raising the income tax. They have stated that a modest increase might be tolerable, but only after the state cuts the fat from existing spending. There is a long way to go before we get a budget passed. I will continue to update you regarding the budget. I do appreciate all of the input in this though, please keep it up.

April 3 rd is the deadline for House Bills to be passed over to the Senate and vice-versa. Hundreds of Bills have been acted on in both chambers in the past few weeks. Most of the legislation that has passed has been non-controversial. However, next week, things will heat up as many legislators who have been working on tough roll calls will be up against the deadline to try to pass those bills. It could be an interesting week to track or listen in. You can get involved by going to www.ilga.gov

It also appears as if there will be action next week on supplemental budgets which would allow for the use of some of the federal stimulus money that you have heard about. Whether the funds are for transportation or education, there must be enabling legislation passed at the state level in order for certain federal rules to be followed and the money to be appropriated.

It looks like most of the federal transportation stimulus money will go toward projects that have gone unmet at IDOT over the past few years. Remember though, Illinois must provide some matching funds and a revenue source is needed to pay our part. It appears as if money will be taken from the road fund in order to provide our match. I want to support the projects and am leaning toward a yes vote on providing the match but will need to see the final language in the proposal.

It also looks like an increase in title and registration fees for vehicles and an increase in the driver’s license permit fee could be proposed. We need to repair and maintain roads and bridges in Illinois and there have been diversions from the road fund for years which could have gone toward that end.

As far as education stimulus funding, we are hearing that the federal money might be used to backfill what cold become a $1 billion shortfall in the education budget for FY09. That means schools could get much of what they were promised by the state for special education funding by using federal stimulus dollars to fill the void. Other increases could come in Title 1 funds for summer school and after school tutoring programs run by public schools. The remainder of promised money to schools for transportation reimbursement would have to come from short-term borrowing later in the budget year. In any case, unless the economy gets better, this is clearly a two year fix while the federal money is available. After that, there is quite a steep cliff.

Of course, the fact that schools and other local government agencies are hurting from the downturn in the economy has not stopped a barrage of unfunded mandates from being proposed. Over fifty new school mandates have been pushed and several have passed the House or are going to be called in the coming week for a vote. Many of the proposals are well-intentioned, but we CANNOT afford additional unfunded mandates when we cannot even afford to pay for special education services and the transportation of our students currently. I am sure that counties, townships, cities and others feel the same way about the never ending train of unfunded mandates. We all know what happens. When the state mandates and does not fund, local property owners, through increased local property taxes, pay the bill for these unfunded mandates.

Don’t forget to keep in touch, you can call my offices at 217-558-1040 or 618-563-4128 or 217-932-9082. I also track e-mail closely and you can e-mail me at reddyunit1@aol.com Of course, you can send mail to Box 125, Hutsonville, IL 62433 or 222-N Stratton Office Building, Springfield, IL 62706. My website has frequent updates as well and you can access breaking information at www.peopleforeddy.com