Pritzker Proposes a New Spending Spree
Much of the Governor’s budget plan for Fiscal Year 2024 that he unveiled this week will be a non-starter for me.
In a nutshell, the Governor wants to use temporary and one-time revenues to justify putting new, ongoing spending programs in place. When the temporary revenue sources dry up, taxpayers will again be left footing the bill. Even the State Comptroller from his own party has cautioned against that type of policy.
Some of the Democrats’ recent spending expansions without a revenue source include a minimum wage increases, funding needed to enact the SAFE-T Act, the Reimagine Public Safety Act and more…and, not surprisingly, some Democrats this spring are already again pushing for a progressive income tax increase that was resoundingly rejected by voters in 2020. Working families are hurting. In my district, families need property tax relief…and we need relief from the estate tax that is destroying family farms.
All priorities need to be heard and considered in the state budget process this spring. Putting together a responsible state budget should begin by adopting a reliable revenue estimate and then limiting spending accordingly. And how we plan to spend $50 billion of the taxpayers’ money must be open for discussion and public review. Legislators and the taxpayers we represent need access to participate in hearings, and more time to review proposals before they are called before the House for a vote. I’ll keep you up to date on developments and on how you can get involved.
Illinois Ranked High for Regional Workforce Development
Some good news…Illinois’ No. 1 status among states in the East North Central region of the U.S. was bestowed by Site Selection, a magazine and website oriented towards professional challenges related to workforce development. Illinois’ high score across a variety of career-readiness metrics was attributed to statewide economic development efforts oriented towards workplace-ready training. Illinois replaced Indiana, the previous No. 1 Midwestern state, in the multistate ranking.
Illinois’ orientation towards workforce development includes strong institutional ties between community colleges and local employers. House Republicans have championed the creation of employment advisory boards within the Illinois community college system. Illinois manufacturers and other employers have pioneered new ways to use the concept of registered apprenticeship programs as a tool for regional workforce development.
State/Federal Partnership Funds Ag Conservation
The Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service from the U.S. Department of Agriculture has put together federal funding to match with state funding to hire 40 “boots on the ground” conservation practitioners who will work for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. read more here:
This week I was proud to attend Illinois Farm Bureau’s Governmental Affairs and Leadership Conference. Did you know that 96% of ALL Farms in Illinois are family-owned? Don’t forget to Thank a Farmer!
Black History is Local History
Our 105th District in Woodford County was home to a man who was the First to Fulfill the Promise of the 15th Amendment in Illinois! It’s a fascinating story of barber, David Strother, El Paso IL, beginning in 1864 during the Civil War. Check it out!
Around the District
Great turnout at the Gridley Fire Department breakfast. I had the opportunity to visit with some old friends and to meet some new ones!
Emergency Management Agencies are offering Weather Spotter Trainings throughout District 105.