McConnaughay Reports on Budget, Constituent Meeting Next Wednesday

From State Senator Karen McConnaughay:

Tax Hike and Budget Without Reforms is Wrong for Illinois

The state’s two-year budget impasse came to an end this week as the General Assembly overrode Governor Rauner’s veto of a budget containing a permanent 32 percent income tax increase, while failing to incorporate any meaningful government reforms.

Throughout session I remained hopeful we could find a bipartisan compromise on a balanced budget with real reforms. Unfortunately, that did not happen.

I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides towards structural reforms that will help stabilize our state and make Illinois a place for families and businesses to call home.

Only through true property tax relief, meaningful workers’ compensation reform and a fair and equitable school funding reform model will Illinois have a strong foundation for future job growth and education excellence.

It is my hope that we can move forward on these important issues in the coming weeks.

Below are some highlights of the budget:

The state’s personal income tax rate, which goes into effect retroactive to July 1, will increase from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent, and the corporate income tax rate would increase from 5.25 percent to 7 percent. Here is the breakdown:

• A single person who earns $34,000 a year would pay an estimated additional $382 a year.
• A family of three making $75,000 a year would pay an estimated additional $822 a year.
• A family of four earning $150,000 a year would pay an estimated additional $1,695 a year.
• A 66-year-old retiree who has $5,000 in taxable earnings plus Social Security and pension income, which are not taxed in Illinois, would pay an estimated additional $22 a year.
• The rise in the corporate income tax rate would bring in roughly $460 million.

School funding, was increased by $350 million.

However, language was slipped into the budget tying these funds to the enactment of an evidence-based model (EBM) for school funding reform.

Senate Republicans have introduced SB 1124, a EBM that would treat all schools fairly and equitably.

This measure must be part of any discussions moving forward regarding school funding reform.

The budget contains $3 billion in “surplus” revenue, which the state can couple with federal funds (bringing the total to $8 billion) to begin paying down our backlog of bills.

Also, the budget includes a plan fund two City of Chicago worker pension funds, which the governor had vetoed when lawmakers passed it as a stand-alone bill earlier this year.

I hope you keep updated with what’s happening at the Capitol by signing up for my email newsletter.

I also encourage you to send me your feedback regarding this legislative session at senator@karenmcconnaughay.com>

. As always, more information can be found at www.senatormcconnaughay.com.Sincerely,Karen McConnaughay
State Senator 33rd District

Conversation with Local Leaders

A way to meet and talk to State Senator Karen McConnaughay in a small group setting.

Join Senator McConnaughay and East Dundee Village President Lael Miller for a wine Wednesday about current events happening in East Dundee and throughout the 33rd senate district.

Bring your questions Wednesday, July 12 to The Depot in East Dundee from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for an open forum with your local leaders.

Senator McConnaughay recognizes Naomi’s House as ‘Human Trafficking Hero’

This week, Senator McConnaughay recognizes the organization Naomi’s House as the “Human Trafficking Hero” recipient.

Naomi’s House is a faith-based organization committed to the healing of all victims of human trafficking. Read more.

“Their dedication to survivors shows a true effort to help combat this horrible exploitation of women,” said Senator McConnaughay.

“It’s reassuring to see organizations such as Naomi’s House that have committed themselves to helping some of the most vulnerable, in hopes they can seek a healthy, smooth reco


Comments

McConnaughay Reports on Budget, Constituent Meeting Next Wednesday — 8 Comments

  1. So now word will trickle out about all the garbage shoved down citizens throats in another Madigan last minute budget.

    And if unions perceive something diminishes a pension, they will sue.

    More of the same.

    If Moody’s does not downgrade the state credit rating to Junk status it will be a head scratcher.

    But hey, they did such a good job predicting the mortgage meltdown of 2008.

    Oh well, another day, another wasted $25 million dollars in pension interest for the 5 state pension funds to be amortized over the upcoming decades.

    ++++++++++

    Pension and Investments

    Illinois Budget Implements Pension Reforms for Certain State, Chicago Plans

    by Meaghan Kilroy

    July 7, 2017

    http://www.pionline.com/article/20170707/ONLINE/170709934/illinois-budget-implements-pension-reforms-for-certain-state-chicago-plans

  2. **However, language was slipped into the budget tying these funds to the enactment of an evidence-based model (EBM) for school fudning reform.**

    What she doesn’t say is that the EXACT SAME LANGUAGE was in the budget that the Senate Republicans introduced.

    And that she supported at a press conference.

  3. Now Madigan and his Ponzi Party can get back to fleecing the Illinois taxpayers to serve
    the public sector unions and driving the state further into junk bond status while still
    maintaining an iron fist political control of the state.

    Glad that charade is over with.

  4. What is the exact language, and in what bill is it found?

    +++++++++++++++++

    The following article provides some additional information about the education portion of the budget bills.

    First a note, the budget and the implementation of it is contained in the three following bills, plus a and education funding formula model bill which has not yet passed.

    SB 6 / PA 100-0021 – Spending Bill – 638 pages

    SB 9 / PA 100-0022 – Revenue Bill – 582 pages

    SB 42 / PA 11-0023 – Budget Implementation (BIMP) – 756 pages

    Total pages of those three laws – 1,976.

    The education funding formula model portion of the budget is not yet complete.

    There are two Education Funding Formula Models being considered.

    The Democrat plan is SB 1.

    The Republican plan is SB 1124.

    The Democrats wanted a funding formula model that provided more funding to Chicago.

    The Republicans were fighting that.

    +++++++++++++

    Chicago Sun Times

    House Overrides Rauner Budget Vetoes; Ill. Residents’ Taxes Going Up

    by Tina Sfondeles

    July 6, 2017

    http://www.chicago.suntimes.com/news/illinois-house-reconvenes-to-override-rauner-budget-vetoes

  5. Here is another article, written on July 5th, 2017 before the three budget and budget implementation bills were passed on July 6th, about the budget being incomplete as it relates to preschool – 12th grade public education.

    +++++++++++++

    WBEZ

    Even With a State Budget, Illinois Education Money Could be Trapped

    by Linda Lutton

    July 15, 2017

    http://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/even-with-a-budget-illinois-education-money-could-be-trapped/a2ae88cf-136d-4d91-8c12-262e1aec32a6

    ++++++++++++++++

    Both Education Funding Formula Model bills, SB 1 (Democrat plan) and SB 1124 (Republican plan) are still in the General Assembly.

    SB 1 passed the House and Senate, but was never sent to the Governor, as Democrat Senator Donne Trotter (Assistant Majority Leader from Chicago) filed a motion to reconsider vote on May 31, 2017.

    SB 1124 has not passed the House or Senate.

  6. Is it true McConnaughay hired an interior decorator for her office using taxpayer dollars?

    If so, is she going to discuss how much she spent on that at this event?

  7. What is the source of that information?

    ++++++++

    Karen McConnaughay represents the 33rd State Senate District.

    http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/VotingInformation/PDF/2011Districts/2011SenDist33.pdf

    The 33rd State Senate District encompasses the 65th State Representative District (Steve Andersson) and the 66th State Representative District (Allen Skillicorn).

    ++++++++

    She was unopposed in the November 6, 2012 general election for State Senator 33rd District.

    She was unopposed in the November 4, 2014 general election for State Senator 33rd District.

    She was not up for re-election in the November 8, 2016 general election.

    She will be up for re-election in the November 6, 2018 general election.

    +++++++++

    Her local district office is at 130 Washington St, West Dundee.

    That has been her office since taking office in January 2013.

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