State of the State Address Receives Cool Reception

When the Governor delivered his annual State of the State address February 20, the inside temperature was only slightly warmer than the low teens outside.  The Governor has alienated most members of his own party and garners only a 16 percent public approval rating.  Perhaps that is why he delivered an unusually short address which called for his party, which controls state government, to show leadership, unity and implement its vision of government securing a better life for families.  

I welcome any interest from the Governor in working with legislators in a bipartisan manner to finally address some of our pressing issues.  I truly hope he has learned his lesson that arrogance, personal attacks and failure to cooperate don't solve problems.  But the governor is a master of disguise which was clear after reviewing more details of his proposed budget for 2009.

Stimulate the Economy

The governor called for several major proposals which he claims will stimulate the economy and provide assistance to working families. These include providing a one-time $300 tax credit for qualifying families, a 20 percent business tax cut and a $25 billion jobs and road improvements plan.  How the governor plans to pay for his $1.3 billion in new spending on top of the current $1.7 billion backlog in paying bills was unclear.

While any extra income will be appreciated by most families, $300 will not go far in paying their increased cost of living nor will it likely be used to stimulate our economy.  I believe Illinoisans would be better served if the state used revenue to pay its bills on time so health care providers, nursing homes and schools didn't have to borrow money to cover the state's obligations.  By delaying payments and then severely discounting the bill, the state has forced nursing homes to close their doors, reduced citizen access to healthcare and led to worker layoffs by state suppliers.

While the governor would like to give businesses a $300 million one-time tax cut, he proposed $1.2 billion in tax increases which will continue indefinitely.  These taxes will be collected through a payroll tax (which was rejected by the General Assembly before) and the removal of incentives which attract and keep businesses in Illinois. 

He would also raise $250 million in taxes on Riverboat gambling which were just reduced two years ago so they could be more competitive with neighboring states.

We must not create more regulation and increase the cost of doing business in Illinois far beyond neighboring states.  Businesses have been leaving our state because rising taxes and fees make them unable to compete in a global economy.  Since 2000, Illinois has lost more than 200,000 jobs in the manufacturing industry alone.  Burdening employers with more taxes is certainly not the way to create more jobs for families and boost our struggling economy.

Capital Projects

I do welcome the governor's newfound interest in capital projects to put people to work, improve our education learning environment, and make repairs to roads, rail lines and airports.  Such expenditures if made wisely will help families, stimulate the economy and achieve more for our state than a $300 personal tax credit. 

The governor's plan to finance capital projects relies on leasing the state lottery and other unidentified sources totaling just 35 percent of the cost. 

Program Cuts

The governor would focus new spending on health care, elementary/secondary education and public safety.  He proposes cutting the rest of state government by 3 percent and encouraging agencies to raise user fees. 

Of interest to Northern Illinois University, the governor does not provide any increase for higher education and $16 billion would be borrowed to pay for pension obligations. 

An effective use of spending prioritization might mean some areas of health care, education and public safety would get extra funding but so might other government programs.  I suggest a better strategy would be to look at the results received for the state investment and whether we are helping people to become more self-reliant.

If the governor has his way, the state will continue to make citizens more dependent and controlled by government.

Property Tax Forum Rescheduled

A blizzard earlier this month forced the cancellation of the property tax assessment forum sponsored by Representative Ron Wait and my office.  At the urging of many residents, the forum has been rescheduled for Monday, March 10 at 7:00 pm in the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Building.

Come join us to discuss the assessment process, how to make certain your property assessment is fair, appeals of assessment and how assessments impact your property tax bill.  Representative Wait and I have invited Chief County Assessment Officer Margaret Whitwell, Board of Review member Gerald Wahlstrom and County Clerk Sharon Holmes to provide information and answer questions.

Forward, Together Forward

Please continue to keep NIU students, faculty, staff, and families in your thoughts and prayers as classes resume this week.  One of the lessons of this tragedy is to let no one feel alone and be observant for the wellbeing of others.