Week of April 7, 2008
As the General Assembly resumed activity last week there were several new pieces of legislation brought forth for consideration. Perhaps the most controversial of these was a proposed Constitutional Amendment introduced by Democrat State Rep. Jack Franks of Woodstock. HJRCA 28 is widely known in Statehouse circles as the recall amendment. I was happy to support an amendment to the bill following a very intense debate on the matter. The proposed resolution would eventually allow for voters to “recall” the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, and Comptroller’s offices as well as elected members of the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives. As written, the bill closely mirrors current law in California.
Many of you may remember that when the voters of California grew weary of the leadership of former Governor Gray Davis, they recalled him through a petition drive. His ouster led to the eventual election of current Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger following a historic “special election”. Many news publications, government and taxpayer accountability groups, and individual voters have spoken out against the Governing style of Illinois’ current Governor.
The sponsor of this legislation is a known enemy of Gov. Blagojevich and does not dispute arguments that he is pushing for this measure to pass because he is unhappy with the job the Governor is doing. Opponents of the plan argue that this is a petty attempt to smear the Governor and that there are already mechanisms for voters and legislators to take action against officeholders in the forms of cyclical elections and through the impeachment process. Governor Blagojevich’s outward displays of arrogance toward ethics rules and dubious use of taxpayer money to push for expensive health care expansion programs that have been rejected time and again in the legislature have caused many people to believe that the only way to right Illinois’ fiscal ship is by recalling the Governor and starting over with someone new.
There were definitely fireworks on the House floor during debate of an amendment to this bill and part of the debate disintegrated into a shameful and unfortunate profanity laced outburst by Rep. Jay Hoffman who serves as the governor’s point man in the House. The tenor in the Illinois House of Representatives toward the Governor has not changed following last year’s disappointing and record breaking overtime debacle. I would like to hear from you on whether or not you think a recall provision should be added to the Illinois Constitution. If the Resolution passes the House and Senate, the question would come before voters on November 4th as to whether or not it should become law. Then the process of recall could begin.
As Illinois’ current fiscal crisis remains unsolved, more problems have come about and a few solutions are being offered. This week in Springfield, I joined several of my House colleagues in calling on the Governor to release funding for Illinois’ 98 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. These districts provide pollution protection for Illinois’ rivers and streams as well as other water sources.
Last year the state budget allocated $7.4 million to SWCDs. These monies are used mainly for paying employee salaries and for purchasing supplies necessary for operating SWCD offices around the state. Illinois’ fiscal year ends June 30th and so far less than half of the money promised to these districts has been released. The Administration claims that legislators over projected revenue estimates to the tune of $750 million last year and Governor Blagojevich has vowed to hold SWCD money until legislators agree to his proposal to close “corporate tax loopholes” and allow him to sweep dedicated funds to shore up the budget gap. Illinois stands to gain millions in matching funds from the Federal government and local sources once the funds are released. I have written a letter to Governor Blagojevich urging him to release the promised money so that our Soil and Water Conservation districts are not forced to close their doors. The release of this money is crucial for SWCDs to be able to operate and continue to protect the State’s natural resources.
As I have mentioned in this article many times before, the people of Illinois are faced with some tough choices in the future if there are to be answers for our many problems relating to budget shortfalls. One solution proposed this week by Democrat State Representative Mike Smith of Canton would amend Illinois’ Constitution by doubling the state income tax from 3% to 6% for individuals making $250,000 or more. This essentially creates a progressive income tax in Illinois with two categories.
In 2006, approximately 5% of Illinois income tax filers reported income over $250,000. Some estimated revenue projections show this tax could generate as much as $3 billion more for state coffers. There would be no increase in income tax for the other 95% of Illinois taxpayers under this plan. As written, this Resolution to amend the State Constitution would provide that those funds generated through the new tax would be divided as equal as possible to support schools, a capital infrastructure program, and tax relief for low and middle-income families. This issue is certain to generate much debate in the General Assembly. I want to know if you believe this would be a responsible way of filling the current hole in the state budget. Some estimates place Illinois’ budget deficit as high as $3.6 billion when outstanding Medicaid bills and other obligations are factored in.
This week I also filed an opposition fiscal note to a bill that I vehemently disagree with. Rep. Greg Harris of Chicago is sponsoring HB 4731. The legislation seeks to amend the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. The sponsor has proposed that non-married same-sex domestic partners be recognized in the same way that married partners are for purposes of survivor and death benefits under Illinois law. The bill reads, “The designated domestic partner of a teacher shall be eligible to receive survivor and death benefits…in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as a surviving spouse.” In 1995, Illinois passed a law that recognizes marriages as being between a man and a woman and I intend to continue to oppose efforts by any member of the General Assembly to chip away at this definition by extending tax payer dollars in the form of death benefits to surviving domestic partners.
As always, I would like to hear from you on these issues. You may call my office at (618) 563-4128 or e-mail your comments, concerns, and suggestions to reddyunit1@aol.com.