A communication from State Rep. Mike Tryon, which, because of its length will be published in two parts:
Typically, this time of year my staff and I put together an End of Session Report that is printed and distributed either as a newspaper insert or mailed to households in the 66th Legislative House District.
Since session has extended into the summer, this year I thought I would send out the report electronically, and then distribute a more comprehensive and formal report later in the year.
This year’s Spring Legislative Session brought together a Republican Governor and a House and Senate where the Democrats hold a super-majority (2/3 membership). In choosing two-party control, the citizens of Illinois sent a message that they wanted bipartisanship, compromise, and shared policy-making.
After 12 years of one-party rule, this culture shift was not without its struggles. However, we did see progress toward bipartisanship and a noticeable new layer of checks and balances in Springfield.
Important legislation, especially spending bills, did not sail through the legislature.
A more deliberative and thoughtful process emerged since we now have a Governor who has pledged to veto all financially irresponsible bills.
It is a refreshing new layer of accountability that has been absent in State government for far too long.
On a personal level, I was able to gain House and Senate approval for a few of my own initiatives. Those measures should be signed into law over the summer months. Still, many of my bills did not advance through the process as swiftly as I would have liked, and I plan to resurrect many of them during the second year of this 99th General Assembly.
I will spend these summer months traveling throughout my home district in Southern McHenry and Northern Kane Counties, tending to the needs and concerns of the residents of the 66st District.
It is my honor and pleasure to serve you, and if I or a member of my staff may assist you, please do not hesitate to call my Crystal Lake office at (815) 459-6453, or contact me through the contact form on my web site at www.miketryon.org.
With no Budget Agreement, Session Continues into Summer
After walking away from bipartisan budget working groups, rank and file Democrats pushed through a budget they admitted was unbalanced by close to $4 billion. In fact, in a press conference, House Speaker Mike Madigan said, “We will publicly acknowledge that we don’t have the money to pay for this budget.”
Democrats approved their spending plan weeks ago, yet as of today none of the budget bills have been sent to the Governor. It speaks to the sincerity of their process that as of this date there is nothing on the Governor’s desk for review.
It has set up a situation where an ongoing summer session is underway that could eventually lead to a government shutdown. As a Republican, it is my hope that cooler heads prevail and a compromise occurs that satisfies the people of Illinois who elected Rauner because they no longer found the status quo acceptable.
For my part, I will be working diligently toward bringing about change and reform throughout the summer months in any way I can; however, I firmly believe that we need comprehensive reforms before we can begin discussing new revenue.
Rep. Tryon Files Comprehensive Legislation in 2015
This year I filed a comprehensive package of legislation which addresses a multitude of issues that affect Illinoisans. In all, I filed 52 bills. While some were approved in the House and Senate and will be signed in to law over the summer, many will be reintroduced during the spring 2016 session.
The bills I filed this year fall into the following categories:
- Transparency/Accountability
- College Affordability
- Public Health and Safety
- Job Creation and Economic Growth
- Taxpayer Protection/Property Tax Freeze
- Energy/Environment
- Food and Water Quality Issues
- Unfunded Mandates
- Welfare/Medicaid Reform
- Workers Compensation Reform
- Senior Citizen Assistance
- Veterans Assistance
Tryon Bills Address Additional Issues with Farmers Market Regulations
This year I made additional improvements to the Act by addressing what I believe is the over-regulation of people who prepare and package simple food items at home and then wish to sell them either at religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization fundraisers or at Farmers Markets.
My HB2486, which passed unanimously in both chambers and should be signed into law this summer, expands on what and how much individuals can sell at these types of events. Once it is signed into law I would expect those who visit the summer Farmers Markets in Crystal Lake, Huntley and other surrounding areas will enjoy a wider variety of fresh cooked and baked goods available to them when they visit the outdoor markets.
Tryon Fights for College Affordability
A key component of my legislative agenda this year was legislation that addressed the run-away costs associated with a college education. My legislation included:
- HB2524: Requires the dollar amount of college tuition waivers obtained by university employees for family members to be counted as taxable income, with proceeds to be used to fund the MAP grant program.
- HB2529: Requires each Illinois public university to submit a study regarding the costs associated with making available online four of the university’s most popular degree programs.
- HB2528: Eliminates college tuition waivers for public university employees and their relatives.
- HB2540: Caps and streamlines fees and costs of tuition credit hours at public universities.
These initiatives would help rein in the costs of a higher education. Because they were not acted upon this year I plan to reintroduce these bills next year.
Tryon Bill to Improve Efficiency of Circuit Courts Heads to Governor
A bill that will provide Circuit Courts with the authority to require the administration of prescribed medications that will improve inmates’ ability to be found fit for trial is awaiting the signature of the Governor.
= = = = =
More tomorrow.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ……… did the “report” come with a 6-pack of Red Bull?