Pioneer Press, April 9, 2009

Time to Clean Up Government

With every challenge is an opportunity to create real change. With our state budget crisis and national recession, plus the tarnished reputation of two recent Governors, there is a golden moment to help restore confidence in the governmental process. In that context, I voted to repeal the recent Cook County sales tax increase and authored major ethics legislation.
Recently, the Cook County Board approved a sales tax hike giving Cook County one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation. Cook County government has become weighed down by patronage which has resulted in inefficient services for the people who need them most. This mentality has to change and that is why I voted in support of House Bill 715, to repeal the sales tax increase and to require any future increases to be approved by voter referendum. Unfortunately, the legislation failed to pass the House by a slim margin, but I am hopeful this effort will get Cook County commissioners to reevaluate their decision.

I agree we need to be judicious in telling local government what to do. I voted in favor of House Bill 715, however, because I have spoken out against the sales tax increase and needed to put my vote where my sentiment was.

As a legislator representing a district that straddles two counties, I see the direct impact that these sales taxes have on the bordering communities. Many people travel to Lake County to save on sales taxes instead of purchasing something near their home in Cook County. This has hurt many Cook County businesses along the border, forcing some to shut down and relocate.

This is not the kind of government we need during these rough financial times. We need government to provide residents with the support services they deserve for the taxes they are paying, rather than increasing taxes to provide more patronage jobs for friends and family members.

As your state legislator, I am committed to fighting to ensure that your tax dollars are working for you. In an effort to end pay-to-play politics, I introduced House Bill 2428, amending the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, to prohibit appointed members of boards and commissions from making large donations to the office holder who appointed them. The Bill has passed out of the House and is now under consideration in the Senate. The Governor has indicated to me that he will sign the bill.

Additionally, the House and Senate recently passed a bill (Senate Bill 364) that overhauls numerous Illinois laws to diminish the opportunities for conflicts of interest and pay-to-play appointments. It also prohibits certain transactions, as well as monetary gain on investments, fraud, and contingent fees, while addressing the allocation and delegation of fiduciary duties and the need for investment transparency.

We are on the right track towards minimizing inefficient and unethical government use of funds. Hopefully, this reform will trickle down to Cook County as well.

--State Representative Karen May