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Illinois 58th District State Representative Newsletter |  |
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BUDGET UPDATE - LEGISLATIVE OPEN HOUSE DATE CHANGED TO JULY 14 On Wednesday, the governor approved the state's operating budget with $1.4 billion in reductions for the current fiscal year, FY09, which began on July 1. Cuts made to the budget would affect social services, health care, and education. I will be returning to Springfield early Tuesday morning to consider overriding these budget reductions. I want to hear your thoughts before I return to Springfield and am moving my Open House to Monday, July 14. I will be in my district office (427 Sheridan Road, Highwood) to hear your comments and opinions on Monday, July 14 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Previous to the governor's actions, I had announced that my office would host an Open House on Monday, July 21 for this very purpose. However, with next week's House meetings addressing current business of the State, I ask you to take the time now to call, write, or e-mail me to express your opinions concerning the state's budget or drop by on July 14. The meeting on July 21 is cancelled. My contact information is provided at the end of this notice.
Before the end of the Spring Legislative Session, the House passed different versions of the budget, including a flat, no-growth budget and a growth budget, which would require nearly $2 billion in new funding sources. The Senate approved and sent to the governor the growth budget, but the General Assembly has not agreed to new funding mechanisms necessary in order for this version of the budget to work. Proposals to fund the growth budget include leasing the lottery, increasing casino gambling, pension obligation bonds, and sweeping money out of specially collected state funds intended for specific purposes. You can review each of these bills by visiting www.ilga.gov.
The following bills outline the proposed budget: · HB 5701 - Part of the FY09 Growth Budget · SB 1102 - Part of the FY09 Growth Budget · SB 1115 - Part of the FY09 Growth Budget · SB 1129 - Part of the FY09 Growth Budget
The following bills outline potential funding sources: · HB 1498 - Lottery Lease. The lottery lease has been identified as a funding source specifically for a capital bill. · HB 2651 - Casino Gambling Expansion. This bill was defeated in the House 47-55-3. I voted AGAINST this expansion of gambling. The casino gambling expansion has been identified as a funding source specifically for a capital bill. · HB 788 - Pension Obligation Bonds. While this provides funding of potentially $400 million, the pension obligation bond probably will not pass at this time. · SB 790 - Special Funds Transfers. The House will most likely consider this option and will vote on which special funds have excess dollars that can be used to meet human service needs. This source could bring in $300 million. There are $1.8 billion in special fund balances. This amount is 16% of the total special funds dollars being considered and while each fund does constitute an important need, human services cannot be put on hold. For further information, please feel free to contact my office about specific proposed cuts or sweeps.
Next week, I will be returning to Springfield as the House of Representatives re-convenes to discuss the budget reductions and possible funding sources. As your representative, I appreciate your opinions, especially on the significant budget woes we currently face. Please take a moment to let me know your opinion concerning which funding options you support or oppose. Do you oppose or support the governor's proposed cuts? What do you think are appropriate funding mechanisms to cover the current budgetary shortfall? Thank you.
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