A poress release from State Republican Leader Christine Radogno:
Sen. Radogno Introduces Rauner’s Turnaround Reforms
Springfield, IL… After weeks of meetings with legislative Democrats failed to produce momentum on some of the state’s most pressing issues, Illinois Republicans took matters into their own hands on May 22, introducing a major legislative package founded in Governor Bruce Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda,” which State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) said would
- freeze property taxes
- improve Illinois’ jobs climate
- transform state government with term limits and redistricting reform.
Christine Radogno
“People in this state fundamentally understand that this system is corrupt and broken,” said Sen. Radogno. “We have to change direction. This legislative package is the first step in trying to make that happen.”
Senator Radogno’s legislation includes five reform measures that seek to address Illinois’
- 2nd highest property tax rate in the nation
- 3rd worst jobs climate and “worst-run state in the county” reputation.
Reforms include:
- SB 1046 (Property Tax Freeze)
- SB 994 (Workers’ Compensation)
- SB 884 (Lawsuit Reform)
- SJRCA 14 (Term Limits)
- SJRCA 15 (Redistricting)
For months, Sen. Radogno has advocated for common-sense improvements and reforms, willingly offering to engage in good-faith negotiation and compromise with her Democrat colleagues.
However, Illinois Democrats have continued to stall negotiations and protect “business as usual” by calling for another massive tax hike to “fix” Illinois’s fiscal crisis.
“Governor Rauner has been very clear: Reform before revenue. Reform first,” said Sen. Radogno.
“I will continue to work with Governor Rauner to fight the status quo and help turn around Illinois. Our goal is to get people to invest here, create jobs and keep the people who live in Illinois here and employed.”
= = = = =
From the Governor’s Office comes this from Communications Director Lance Trover:
“After weeks of crying for specifics and claiming Governor Rauner refuses to compromise, we now see the Democrats maneuvering for what they really want – no reforms and a fat tax increase on the working families of Illinois.”
Making progress…
In Illinois there is legislative progress in that public sector unions are no longer handing legislators pension hiking legislation (to underfunded pensions) which passes verbatim with rubber stamp votes (in the very same years lawmakers are shorting the pension contribution).
But now we have a “revenue” problem because there is no money to pay for the legislative pension hikes (to underfunded pensions).
So the pensions become even more underfunded even though about $35 Billion or so was raised over 4 years via a “temporary” income tax hike, 90% which went to pay pensions.
It’s sort of like charging your credit card on which you are carrying a balance and not making the full monthly payment, then claiming you have a “revenue” problem because you can’t afford the payment.
Mark, you are so good at evaluating each situation.
Rauner, better hire you…
I’m so glad that Bruce Rauner has finally decided to introduced legislation for his “turnaround agenda”.
I mean, its great that he’s finally decided to put legislative language behind his power point slides and press releases, but maybe he could have done this a little earlier?
Instead of 9 days before the end of the legislative session?
**But now we have a “revenue” problem because there is no money to pay for the legislative pension hikes (to underfunded pensions).**
Actually, this is completely wrong.
We have a pension funding problem, not because of pension hikes, but because of the long underfunding of pensions, combined with the recession.
You can read the actual data here:
http://cgfa.ilga.gov/Upload/Analysis%20of%20Change%20in%20State%20Pension%20Unfunded%20Liability%201985-2012.pdf
But the data is very clear that benefit increases have had VERY LITTLE to do with the pension funding problems.
But hey… lets not let facts get in the way.
You can also look at this presentation for more information on the causes of the pension funding crisis:
http://cgfa.ilga.gov/Upload/Presentation%206-27-13.pdf
And let’s not forget that teacher unions urged legislators in the 1990’s to shift money budgeted to pay for teacher pensions to State Aid to Education so current salaries could be increased, which, in turn, would lead to larger future pensions.
As he looks for revenue, I hope Rauner will get his billionaire colleagues to shoulder some of the burden.
For too long the policies of this country and of this state have resulted in concentration of wealth in fewer and fewer hands. If new revenue is necessary, please Mr Rauner look in the mirror.
@Cal where is it that teachers unions urged legislators in the 1990’s to shift money to State Aid to Education and how would that increase those current salaries?
What location?
I assume it was in the leaders’ offices.
If there is more money for State Aid to Education, there is more money for higher teachers’ salaries.