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January 14, 2011
News from John J. Cullerton
Unpopular Responsibility: The Budget
Stablization Plan
Let’s cut right to the chase: Illinois raised income taxes this week. No one in Springfield took great pleasure in it, but in the view of Governor Quinn, 60 House members and 30 Senate members, it was the last option to keep Illinois from a devastating chain reaction of economic collapse.
After two years of unprecedented government reforms and more $4 billion in spending cuts, the Illinois General Assembly enacted a series of temporary revenue increases to pay a backlog of overdue bills and balance the state budget for years to come. Although this is not the first time income taxes have been adjusted in Illinois history, it is the first time the responsibility for increasing these tax rates was approved without a bipartisan coalition.
Not since the Great Depression have Illinois’ revenue receipts fallen so drastically. And never before have Illinois lawmakers taken such an aggressive and comprehensive approach to respond to these difficult conditions. Senate Democrats have led the legislative effort to reform government, lower costs and rein in spending. Our caucus has worked to invest in Illinois business to create jobs. And, we’ve recognized that state government must stabilize revenue to pay our bills and keep people working.
The budget stabilization plan should not signal an end to the government’s fiscal responsibility. Far from it. Never before in Illinois history has such a strict, iron clad cap on spending growth been put into the law. Never before has the minority party in the House and Senate been provided such power over stopping government growth. These provisions represent a sea change in Illinois government that will require continued unpopular responsibility from Democrats and Republicans alike.
Get the facts on the budget stabilization here.
Cullerton: Illinois ready for business… and quite a bit more tax friendly than Wisconsin. From partisan rhetoric to some editorial pages' baseless doom and gloom predictions of a post-apocalyptic Illinois after a temporary tax increase, its time to stop the senselessness of claiming our state is spiraling out of control. The Land of Lincoln is the fifth largest state in the nation and maintains the 18th largest economy in world. While we’re working to move Illinois forward, leaders of border states like Wisconsin might want to consider the business-friendly facts before engaging in antagonistic rhetoric.
Read President John Cullerton’s public response to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
Let’s cut right to the chase: Illinois raised income taxes this week. No one in Springfield took great pleasure in it, but in the view of Governor Quinn, 60 House members and 30 Senate members, it was the last option to keep Illinois from a devastating chain reaction of economic collapse.
After two years of unprecedented government reforms and more $4 billion in spending cuts, the Illinois General Assembly enacted a series of temporary revenue increases to pay a backlog of overdue bills and balance the state budget for years to come. Although this is not the first time income taxes have been adjusted in Illinois history, it is the first time the responsibility for increasing these tax rates was approved without a bipartisan coalition.
Not since the Great Depression have Illinois’ revenue receipts fallen so drastically. And never before have Illinois lawmakers taken such an aggressive and comprehensive approach to respond to these difficult conditions. Senate Democrats have led the legislative effort to reform government, lower costs and rein in spending. Our caucus has worked to invest in Illinois business to create jobs. And, we’ve recognized that state government must stabilize revenue to pay our bills and keep people working.
The budget stabilization plan should not signal an end to the government’s fiscal responsibility. Far from it. Never before in Illinois history has such a strict, iron clad cap on spending growth been put into the law. Never before has the minority party in the House and Senate been provided such power over stopping government growth. These provisions represent a sea change in Illinois government that will require continued unpopular responsibility from Democrats and Republicans alike.
Get the facts on the budget stabilization here.
Cullerton: Illinois ready for business… and quite a bit more tax friendly than Wisconsin. From partisan rhetoric to some editorial pages' baseless doom and gloom predictions of a post-apocalyptic Illinois after a temporary tax increase, its time to stop the senselessness of claiming our state is spiraling out of control. The Land of Lincoln is the fifth largest state in the nation and maintains the 18th largest economy in world. While we’re working to move Illinois forward, leaders of border states like Wisconsin might want to consider the business-friendly facts before engaging in antagonistic rhetoric.
Read President John Cullerton’s public response to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
Senate
Sends Death Penalty Abolition Bill to Governor’s Desk
This week, the Senate voted to abolish the death penalty in Illinois, ending a practice that has long been a part of Illinois history. With this vote, Illinois joins 15 other states that do not use the death penalty for criminal justice. Read more about the death penalty...
97th General Assembly Brings Hope, Challenges
Building off of the recent success of the 96th General Assembly, which has been labeled as one of the most productive legislative sessions in Illinois history, the Illinois Senate began the 97th General Assembly this week. Senator John J. Cullerton was elected to his second term as Senate President, an acknowledgment of the leadership and bipartisan cooperation he has brought to the Senate during the last two years.
Next week, we’ll share photos, stories and talk about the 97th General Assembly priorities of the Illinois Senate Democrats.
Read more about the inauguration...
Farewell Senator Demuzio and Senator Bond
As the 96th General Assembly came to a close Wednesday morning, two members of the Senate Democratic Caucus ended their official service in the Senate. Majority Caucus Whip Deanna Demuzio and Senator Michael Bond will be missed terribly as we begin the work of the 97th General Assembly.
From those on staff, the members of the caucus and our families, we wish both of you the very best for the future.
See what's new this week on our web site, http://www.IllinoisSenateDemocrats.com
This week, the Senate voted to abolish the death penalty in Illinois, ending a practice that has long been a part of Illinois history. With this vote, Illinois joins 15 other states that do not use the death penalty for criminal justice. Read more about the death penalty...
97th General Assembly Brings Hope, Challenges
Building off of the recent success of the 96th General Assembly, which has been labeled as one of the most productive legislative sessions in Illinois history, the Illinois Senate began the 97th General Assembly this week. Senator John J. Cullerton was elected to his second term as Senate President, an acknowledgment of the leadership and bipartisan cooperation he has brought to the Senate during the last two years.
Next week, we’ll share photos, stories and talk about the 97th General Assembly priorities of the Illinois Senate Democrats.
Read more about the inauguration...
Farewell Senator Demuzio and Senator Bond
As the 96th General Assembly came to a close Wednesday morning, two members of the Senate Democratic Caucus ended their official service in the Senate. Majority Caucus Whip Deanna Demuzio and Senator Michael Bond will be missed terribly as we begin the work of the 97th General Assembly.
From those on staff, the members of the caucus and our families, we wish both of you the very best for the future.
See what's new this week on our web site, http://www.IllinoisSenateDemocrats.com
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published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.