What's your opinion?

The limited growth budget passed by the House included increased funding for education, healthcare and human services. The additional funds come from natural revenue growth, closure of some corporate loopholes and through new efficiencies in government. Of note is that our budget meets our pension obligations fully for the next year and does not sweep any state funds.

However, this budget was not approved by the Senate, which instead proposed a massive expansion of gaming to fund government. The Governor held firm that he wanted the Illinois Covered healthcare proposal, but has threatened to veto an income tax increase or sales tax increase that could generate the revenue needed. I did not support the Governor's proposed Gross Receipts Tax and neither did the overwhelming majority of House members.

I am convinced that an increase in education funding would benefit our state's businesses and students, but there weren't enough votes in the House Democratic Caucus for either an income tax increase or gaming expansion. However, because we are now into overtime to set our budget these revenue issues will come up again. So many of you have provided input on revenue measures in the past, I want to survey the depth of support for gaming among constituents. Thank you for taking the time to provide input. Just click on the link below to take the quick survey.

Gaming Survey