Week of October 12th, 2009

The Veto Session gets underway this week. The General Assembly returns to consider vetoes on October 14th, 15th and 16th. The governor vetoes sixty-one bills over the summer that we need to address. In addition, there are several other important issues that will likely be considered. I mentioned last week that there was a push to raise the state tax on cigarettes by one dollar in order to fund the Monetary Award Program (MAP) scholarship program. It looks as if Governor Quinn will push hard for consideration of that funding. It is important to note that the governor could have simply funded MAP with the wide ranging discretionary power that the General Assembly gave him last spring when the budget passed. If you remember, the General Assembly passed a budget that gave the governor power to decide line item appropriations. The decision by Governor Quinn and his staff to fund half of the appropriation for the MAP Scholarship was a calculation made in order to pressure the General Assembly to pass some type of revenue increase during the Fall Veto Session.

I do not support an increase in a single item tax like this. Representing several border counties, I understand the negative effect that this type of increase could have on small business owners. Often, these types of increases cause people to shop across state lines. When they do, they often buy other items as well. I think that Illinois has helped bordering states enough during the past seven years. When are we going to learn that Illinois is not an island?

This increase is totally unnecessary and if the governor truly thought MAP was a priority, he should have funded it first. A careful examination of the state budget reveals some interesting choices. For starters, there is $3 million the line item for the office of Lieutenant Governor. Last spring, when Governor Blagojevich was removed from office and Pat Quinn became governor, the office of Lieutenant Governor was vacated. The Illinois Constitution does not have a provision to replace the Lieutenant Governor. But, there is $3 million in the budget for that office. Why? Also, a developmental center in Lincoln that was closed down last year has a $12 million budget allocation. In addition, several other very questionable items remain in the State Board of Education budget including $ 2 million for a project called “Classroom Cubed”. Add it up and pretty soon, you start talking about some real money- taxpayer money!

Another issue that is important but will likely not get the attention that is needed during the Veto Session is ethics reforms. Last spring, the Speaker supported and finally passed a very weak campaign finance reform measure. It was widely criticized as not being tough enough. After flip-flopping on the legislation, Governor Quinn finally ended up vetoing the bill after many negative editorials all around the State. The fact is that the legislation really did very little to address the huge problem we have in Springfield regarding campaign contributions. Back in the spring, there was a lot of pressure to clean up state government after the Blagojevich Impeachment and removal from office. Campaign contribution limits were supposed to be part of the solution. But, the Speaker and the Democratic majority only passed a window dressing bill that was later widely criticized.

As you know, there is just too much power concentrated in the hands of the “leaders” in State government. In fact, if Speaker Madigan does not want a bill to advance, all it takes is him to stop the legislation. Couple that with the fact that millions of dollars of campaign contributions are made each year to the four leaders and it is a recipe for disaster. There is no reason in the world that an individual with the power to advance or stop legislation should be allowed to take campaign contributions without reasonable limitations. There is also no reason that any governor or any other state official should be in a position to accept huge campaign contributions from those either seeking to get state contacts or pass legislation. But, unless there is a substantial change in Illinois law, these practices will continue.

The governor vetoed the weak campaign finance reform bill that passed last spring and rightfully so. During the Veto Session, we should pass tough campaign finance legislation. Chances are that the Speaker will not allow such a bill to move forward. After all, a tough law like that which would be good for the people would affect the power of the Speaker.

The Illinois budget remains a real problem. Many programs suffered cuts last year and the state is over $ 3 billion behind in paying bills. Further program cuts may need to be made before the end of this fiscal year. Unless the economy turns around quickly, we face very difficult times and tough budget decisions. I am interested in your opinion regarding the direction our state should take. Is it time for a revenue increase? If so, what kind? Should we raise income tax, sales tax, tax services or just make deeper cuts to programs and reduce the size of government? Please let me know what you think. Your thoughts are important to as I represent you in Springfield.

I will provide you with information about what happened during the first week of Veto Session next week.  Don’t forget, you can follow legislation and watch live House action during the Veto Session by going to www.ilga.gov and following the links for live audio and video. You can write me at:  P.O. Box 125, Hutsonville, IL  62433 or e-mail me at reddyunit1@aol.com.  You can also read more on my web site:  www.peopleforeddy.com or and follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RepEddy and www.tweetillinois.org.