McConnaughay Reports

A communication from State Senator Karen McConnaughay:

Senator McConnaughay’s Legislative Update: May 30, 2016

Tensions were high in the Statehouse last week, as the four legislative caucus leaders continue to meet with the governor to negotiate an end to the ongoing budget stalemate.

However, a compromise remains elusive, and while Republican lawmakers stress they are trying to remain optimistic a final budget can be negotiated before the May 31 legislative adjournment date, the leaders of the legislative majority remain opposed to the minority’s insistence that economy-boosting, job creating reforms must be part of the final package.

Tax in billsInstead, over protests from Republican lawmakers, the Speaker pushed through a budget last week that is at least $7 billion out of balance, and would rely on a tax hike projected to cost the average Illinois family $1,000 each year.

While the budget stalemate continues to dominate Statehouse news, the General Assembly has been busy considering legislation and passing measures on to the House or the governor.

Over objections from Republicans, the Senate legislative majority advanced two proposals to bailout the Chicago Public Schools at the expense of downstate and suburban students.

However, one controversial measure hit a roadblock—the House failed to override the governor’s veto of the controversial “binding arbitration” bill.

In other news, I sponsored additional legislation that passed the Senate that would create a Human Trafficking Task Force. This was a bipartisan effort that would create a much-needed strategic and comprehensive action plan to combat human trafficking in Illinois.

Additionally, I sponsored legislation that passed both Chambers Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The bill would double fines for drivers who try to cross railroad tracks after signals are activated and the gates are down.

As always, I hope you will contact me or my office with any questions or concerns you may have. You can also visit my legislative website at www.senatormcconnaughay.com.

Sincerely,

Karen McConnaughay, State Senator for the 33rd District

Budget negotiations remain strained

As the legislative session heads towards the scheduled May 31 adjournment date, the leaders of the four caucuses met several times last week with Gov. Bruce Rauner. Though the governor’s budget director offered his opinion that a budget agreement is possible by Tuesday, budget negotiations remained strained, with legislative majority leaders refusing to entertain Republicans’ calls for economy boosting reforms as part of the compromise.

The state director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB), Tim Nuding, stressed that the longer it takes to come to a budget compromise, the bigger the state’s problems get. He underscored serious concerns about keeping utilities and other critical services operating at veterans’ homes, correctional facilities and homes serving the developmentally disabled.

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Senate advances flawed education funding measures

Multiple proposals were advanced by the Illinois Senate last week that would change the way education is funded in Illinois, efforts that Republican senators characterized as rushed attempts to drive additional dollars to Chicago Public Schools.

Lawmakers were given very little time to review the measures, House Bill 3190 and House Bill 813, abbreviated timelines Republican lawmakers criticized in light of the importance of the proposals.

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House fails in bid to override governor’s veto of binding arbitration bill

The Illinois House of Representatives voted last week to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of SB 580, known as the binding arbitration bill. The measure fell short by two votes.

A second attempt pushed by Illinois Democrats to change the process of negotiating labor agreements, was vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner on May 16.

Known as a controversial “binding arbitration” measure, this spring the legislative majority revived previous efforts to place the process of determining the outcome of taxpayer-paid, multi-billion-dollar labor agreements between the governor and state employee unions in the hands of an unelected arbitrator.

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