In response to Governor Pat Quinn’s budget address state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, R-St. Charles, emphasized the importance of leadership in these tough times for the state, stating, “While the governor may have improved his rhetoric, Illinois has severe leadership and spending problems. And the two are linked, as the first intensifies the second.”
The governor’s budget shows record high state General Revenue Fund spending at $35.6 billion, which includes an increase of $1.2 billion in spending. McConnaughay noted, “We were promised when they passed the temporary 67 percent income tax increase in 2011, that they would cut spending, reduce the pension liability and decrease the bill backlog.” She went on to say, “Since then, we have seen increases in spending, our backlog of bills and our deficit – and don’t forget about the multiple credit rating downgrades, making it increasingly costly to borrow money.”
When addressing pension reform Quinn called on the General Assembly to put a bill before him to sign. McConnaughay stressed the need for the governor to be an active participant in the process. “The governor needs to collaborate and identify opportunities to build consensus in both chambers. This is an all hands on deck effort that starts at the top. Leadership is sorely needed in this state, and until we have that Illinois will continue on this unsustainable path.”
