Veto Session

The General Assembly begins their annual fall veto session Wednesday, October 14. The session consists of three days this week and three more at the end of the month. The biggest item on the agenda is a pillar of my campaign, government reform, with the funding of the state’s Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) for lower- and middle-income college students also high on the ‘to-do’ list.

First, concerning the MAP program, the governor had the power to fund the program for the full year, but didn’t. That has left students and their families in limbo for the second half of the school year.

For all the talk of supporting education from the Democrats, it is disappointing to say the least that only half the school year was funded, negatively impacting some 138,000 students across the state. While I know there are hundreds of other worthwhile programs to be considered and funded, providing funding for only half the year is like funding construction of half a bridge…which was something former Gov. Blagojevich did a few years ago.

Let’s pass the back tax amnesty program supported by House Republican Leader Cross and work with our universities to identify cost cutting or other budgetary options at the state or university level (there has to be some way to save some dollars on campus given tuition and fees have outpaced inflation just about every year since I was in college nearly twenty years ago) to get these students through this year without more taxes.

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With respect to the latest government reform efforts, it is clear the Democratic leadership is feeling the heat from voters for the passage of their “incumbent protection bill” this spring, which the governor rightly vetoed.

But cynicism remains across the state that meaningful reforms will get passed, as one can easily tell by reading a recent State Journal Register column: http://tinyurl.com/yzy8elh or a recent Decatur Herald & Review article, that also calls into question what action, if any, the current leadership is taking to help fix the state’s woeful economic and budget situation: http://tinyurl.com/ygc6urc

But biding time in hopes voters will forget the scandal and corruption that has plagued the state is unrealistic.

I articulated government reform proposals I support in my previous post, some of which are being strongly advocated by other Republican leaders and candidates because they are achievable, realistic and at the very least, set a reasonable bar from which we can move up. I am also researching additional considerations for improving how our government operates, most notably the first rung in the election ladder – ballot access, i.e. signature requirements, mandatory forms, etc. Perhaps there are ways we can create a less cumbersome system that encourages participation by our citizenry.

The bottom line for government reform advocates and frustrated citizens is: don’t give up the fight. Keep the pressure up through the 2010 elections when we’ll have a chance to install new leaders untainted from the recent scandals to create a better government and brighter future for Illinois.

Issue Focus: Government Reform

We have some transparency now (see the new Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal http://accountability.illinois.gov/), a no-brainer in this Internet age that nearly every single legislator rightly voted for and considered “sufficient” according to the incumbent. I disagree, more can be done.

The state is again examining redistricting, an altogether too politicized endeavor that cheats many of our fellow citizens out of competitive races and quality representation. Please read a Peoria Journal-Star editorial http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x1990874211/Our-View-True-reform-Redraw-the-map-on-redistricting on the topic for more perspective. See also the State Senate’s “Gerrymandering” website (http://www.gerrymandering.senategop.net/ ) for more information and details.

Additionally, the Republican gubernatorial candidates are coming out almost daily with reform proposals and creative ideas to help change the culture, and perception, of Illinois politics.

I agree with a number of the ideas being discussed today and as state representative think you, the taxpayer, deserve to have all ideas examined and assessed. Let me briefly articulate some of my views on the issue.

First, let’s follow the lead of the Senate Republican caucus and get at a cornerstone of the problems in our state government – the gerrymandered districts that stifle competition and too often disenfranchise voters. We need to reform our redistricting process –which has landed in the courts the past three decades – and I would support efforts to take it out of the hands of the legislature and courts.

Second, while not a panacea, we should enact the same contribution limits we have for federal candidates on the state level. It doesn’t totally remove the money from the process, but it makes sense to have established, understood parameters, and eliminate the $25,000 contributions like those the former governor received. Tied to this are tougher penalties for violating the stricter law to discourage the folks that want to somehow work around the rules.

Third, while I am open to discussing terms limits for legislators, I do not see it as a silver bullet. Citizens’ should retain the right to vote in, or out, their local representatives as they see fit. However, limits on leadership tenure and a re-write of the basic rules of how legislation is heard would help create a more open, reasonable process and, I think, better policy in the end. Currently, three legislators, (three out of 118!) on the House Rules Committee, hand-picked by the speaker, dictate what legislation will be allowed out for a vote. We need to focus on policy, not politics, to get our state moving.

Other worthwhile ideas include moving the primary date back to shorten the campaign season (and who really wants to go out and vote in February!), requiring 3/5ths majority for any spending bill or tax increase and recall of elected officials.

Now, none of these are revolutionary, but they lay waiting for the political will to be enacted. That will only occur with new leaders in Springfield.

Ex of govt. waste

Please check out this Chicago Tribune editorial highlighting one of the more blantant examples of government waste and lack of oversight to our tax dollars. http://tinyurl.com/23a3m6 (site registration may be required)

House Bill 7 veto

Give some credit to the governor for the veto – it was the right thing to do, even if it was a flip-flop from his earlier support. The final bill, as I’ve told many people on the campaign trail, was merely an incumbent protection bill. It wrongly ignored many of the solid proposals from the Illinois Reform Commission. It made the hurdles for citizens like me trying to participate in our government extremely high, for no good reason other than to maintain and enhance the status quo. Real reform can and must happen, but I doubt the sincerity of some of our current Democratic Party leaders to do it, which is why supporting grassroots candidates like me in the coming election to bring fresh, untainted and principled leadership to our General Assembly is critical.

Please learn more by reading the Chicago Tribune article http://tinyurl.com/nhjtbo

Howe facility closure

The closure of the Howe Developmental Center has been an issue for two-plus years. While I have not been privy to all the discussions on both sides, a few things struck me about this issue since announcing my candidacy. It is unfortunate that this decision will lead to a disruption of patients’ routines but if done with care and compassion, my hope is each person will have even better care in a new facility. The claims of abuse, patient deaths, decertification that lead to the loss of nearly $60 million in federal funding and the clearly excessive staffing ratios compared to other facilities is unacceptable.

What is even more disappointing is that the incumbent in the 37th District and my presumptive opponent in November did not join the bipartisan commission that reviewed the Howe situation until earlier this year, despite all the previously mentioned issues and it being such a large piece of state property in the district. I would have asked to be on that panel from the beginning and not shied away from an issue of such importance and emotion right in the heart of the 37th District. I also am concerned about what the state’s plans are for the prime parcel of land, who will be bidding on the property, etc. Too early to tell, but not too early to make sure taxpayers get the best deal.

Learn more about the Howe closure by reading the governor’s news release (with a consultant’s report recommending closure linked in the release – that erroneously mentions the facility is in Rep. Riley’s district and the incumbent as a Republican) and a SouthtownStar article.

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=7797

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1740954,083009howe.article