$7 Billion / $550 Per
Person
When you add up all the tax increases being promoted by Governor Quinn
and his allies, the total per year equals $7 Billion! That’s $550 per person and $1100 per couple
in Illinois!
And new corporate taxes will be among the highest in the country at close
to 10%. And remember, 85% of all job
providers are small businesses. Ouch!
Quinn’s Big
Mistake
Did you know that Governor Quinn asked Blago’s chief budget advisor to
stay on and craft his tax message? John
Filan, who has had great influence on Quinn’s and Blagojevich’s budgets, is
widely seen as the most distrusted back-roomer in Springfield.
Everyone is wondering why Quinn kept him on! Big, big mistake!
Another Blago Replay / Pension
Payments
We’ve seen this before, too. The
Governor is planning to skip nearly $5 Billion in payments to the state pension
systems in the next year or so, while adding $3 Billion in new state
spending. Huh?
Olympic
Gold
I voted “NO” last week when the House approved a guarantee of $250
Million to the possible Chicago 2016 Olympics – to help cover any major
financial loss. Sure, the Games could
help Chicago, but I question any notion that
Olympic teams will train in and therefore spend vast amounts of money in Central
Illinois. Can you see them kayaking on
the Mackinaw
River or Money Creek and
buying cheeseburgers at Green Gables? With the crowds so big, you might decide to
leave town for awhile.
House Gets This One
Right
One of our Chicago legislators wanted the state to set up
a grant program for ex-cons to get low interest loans to start a business. When asked if law abiding citizens and
entrepreneur wannabes could apply, the answer was “no.” The House to its credit responded with a
resounding “NO” vote, too!
Downs TIF / Prison Closure
Moratorium
My legislation allowing Downs to extend
the life of its TIF District has been approved by the House Revenue Committee
and should receive full House support this week. My bill to impose a prison closure moratorium,
however, died a natural death after the Governor announced that the Pontiac Correctional Center would remain open. My congrats to both mayors named
Scott!
April 7th
Election
Be sure to vote in your upcoming local election on April 7. Many fine people are offering to begin or
continue their public service. Please
support the candidates of your choice.
Some communities and counties also have tax questions on the ballot. Tazewell County has a 1% sales tax proposal to
benefit local school construction.
Bill Brady for
Governor
Bill Brady of Bloomington has become the first Republican to
announce his candidacy for Governor in the 2010 election. The Senator has broad political support
downstate and deserves your consideration as will the others. Brady’s wife, Nancy, is a great campaigner
and vote getter, too!
Farm Bureaus Active /
FFA
During the past few weeks I have spoken at several Farm Bureau functions
and met with farm leaders from all the five counties in my district. Yes, agriculture remains our largest industry
and deserves our continued support. I
greatly look forward to Ag Day in the Capitol this Thursday when bright,
outstanding young members of our FFA chapters statewide show us, despite our
current challenges, that our and their future is indeed bright – if we don’t
bury them in humongous debt on the state and federal level, that
is!!!
Washington
Middle School / Hudson 5th
Grade
I recently spoke to 390 students at Washington Middle
School and gave the fifth graders from Hudson Elementary a tour
of the Capitol
Building. Both schools, like all the others throughout
our area, have truly dedicated administrators and teachers who are a pleasure to
work with. Please thank them the next
time you see them for what they do for our children and
grandchildren.
AC Home Auction / Mennonite Relief Sale / Salem Ranch
Auction
It was great to see and visit with so many friends and neighbors at the
recent AC Home Auction in Eureka and the
Mennonite Relief Sale in Bloomington.
Good people doing good things for good causes! I’ll be at Salem Ranch’s Charity Auction and
Horse Sale on April 18th just south of Lexington.
What this faith based organization does for troubled teenaged boys is
remarkable.
Your Comments . . . .
Your thoughts and comments on topics of the day are always welcome and
greatly appreciated. It’s an honor and a
privilege to represent the good people of my district in Springfield.