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Dear Neighbor:
There are few signs of progress on the budget from Springfield this week. The Governor vetoed one of the budget bills and a plan that originated in the House to pass a $2.2 billion pension obligation bond failed twice in the Senate (SB415). I voted against SB415 because it would enable underfunding of critical education, health and human services and encourage irresponsible financial management at a time when we need a comprehensive, balanced solution to our budget problems.
We are called back to Springfield on July 14th. While I am very concerned about the delay in our return, I am hopeful that this may lead to the emergence of an alternative, complete budget option.
When you look at the actual votes in the House and Senate there is a glimmer of hope for a sensible solution. The Senate has voted for a large tax reform initiative that would fully fund basic services, provide property tax relief, and fully fund our educational system while it has rejected the destruction of our educational and human services system offered by the House solution. The House has rejected the large tax reform approach to solve the problem while it has endorsed a no new taxes approach to solve the problem.
If we can walk away from the doomsday threats of shutting down state government and the heated rhetoric, I believe a compromise that fully funds our core commitments and gets Illinois working again is possible. I will continue to fight for a sensible solution as I ask everyone and anyone for suggestions on how to get the two sides to conduct more productive and forthright negotiations. Your thoughts are always appreciated in these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Heather A. Steans
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Heather Steans
