From State Senator Karen McConnaughay:

McConnaughay statement on passage of state budget

Springfield, IL… State Senator Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles) issued the below statement after the General Assembly passed a balanced state budget for fiscal year 2019.

Karen McConnaughay

“The cooperation and bipartisan compromise we’ve seen with this year’s budget process has been unique; however, it should be the standard for the yearly budget making method.

“With that being said, I am pleased to have voted in favor of this budget package—which is balanced and does not include a single tax increase. Year after year, we are presented with irresponsible, unbalanced budgets, which is why I have never been able to support a budget package until now.

“I want to applaud the Governor for his leadership throughout the negotiating process. Bipartisanly, we have produced, by far, the most responsible budget this state has seen in nearly 20 years.”

Sen. McConnaughay also notes some of the key highlights found in the budget plan:

• Fully funds the minimum funding level, adding an additional $350 million for the new K-12 Education evidence-based funding formula.
• Includes a 2% across-the-board increase for community college and state university operations in an effort to reduce pressure to raise tuition rates.
• Funds the MAP Grant program at FY 18 levels.
• Offers new pension reform measures, such as voluntary buyouts and capping end-of-career salary increases that cause pension spiking, which is expected to reduce the state’s pension liability by $445 million.
• Includes much-needed capital such as $2.5 billion for IDOT’s road program.