Forte-Scott, Rauschenberger Call For Greater Sunshine on Budget Process
May 27, 2008
Schaumburg...Last Thursday, House Democrats approved over two dozen budget bills that would spend over $50 billion in taxpayer dollars. The complex legislation that had been worked on for weeks by the Democrat members was released to the public and fellow Republican legislators just a few hours, and in some cases minutes, before they had to be voted upon.
Former State Senator and Illinois budget expert Steve Rauschenberger thinks this approach is bad public policy and yields poor budgets and that is why he joined with Republican candidate for State Representative Anita Forte-Scott in calling for more sunshine on the state budget process, including requiring a 3 day public disclosure period before a budget can be approved.
“Last minute maneuvers and insider deals in the waning hours of the legislative session have produced wasteful spending and unbalanced budgets,” said Forte-Scott. “We need to shed some sunlight on the state budget and allow for public input into the over $50 billion in taxpayer money that is being spent.”
Forte-Scott and Rauschenberger are supporting a legislative initiative that would require a 3 day review period before the General Assembly can vote on the state budget. The legislation would also require that all appropriations bills be posted on the Illinois General Assembly website 3 days prior to a vote.
According to Rauschenberger, the change would allow greater scrutiny of budget by the public and media, but also lawmakers themselves.
“What you saw happen last Thursday was Republican lawmakers being presented with thousands of pages of spending bills moments before the vote,” said Rauschenberger, President of the United Republican Fund. “There is no time to even add up the total cost of the Democrat proposals, let alone see if there is wasteful or duplicative spending. Quite simply, the system is broken.”
Rauschenberger said the need for such legislation has never been greater, citing last year’s unbalanced budget that is projected to be over $2 billion out-of-balance and the recently passed House Democrat budget that is estimated at $3 billion out-of-balance.
“Greater transparency will yield greater results for the taxpayers of Illinois. All we are asking for is legislators to take their time and do the job right and allow for public input,” said Rauschenberger.
Anita Forte-Scott Calls for Immediate Gas Tax Relief
May 19, 2008
Schaumburg...With gas prices rising past $4 per gallon and expected to approach $5 per gallon this summer, Republican candidates for State Representative Anita Forte-Scott is calling on legislators to support an immediate suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline that is to be voted on this Tuesday by the Illinois House of Representatives. According to Scott, suspension of the sales tax on gasoline purchases would provide immediate relief to consumers by reducing the cost per gallon by at least 17 cents.
“Nothing impacts a family budget more than the rising cost of gasoline,” said Anita Forte-Scott, candidate for State Representative for the 56th District. “Illinois’ high gas prices not only affect families at the pump, they have a trickle down effect by increasing the costs of every consumer product—from groceries to pizza delivery. Illinois families need relief and they need it now,” said Forte-Scott.
According the AAA fuel gauge, gas per gallon is averaging $4.05 per gallon in the Chicago area. Just one month ago, the average cost per gallon was $3.65.
“Saving families $20 to $30 dollars per month makes a big difference for their budgets, especially with the cost of groceries on the rise,” said Scott.
Anita Forte-Scott supports a House Republican initiative (House Bill 6318) that would suspend the state portion of state gas sales tax immediately through September 15th.
A similar measure was enacted in 2000 by the General Assembly and produced results for Illinois consumers by immediately reducing the cost of gas, according to the AAA.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross has said the Republicans will move to call the sales tax suspension initiative on Tuesday. On April 9th, House Republicans attempted to call the initiative for a vote, but Democrats used a parliamentary procedure to block the vote. Representative Froehlich voted with the Democrat majority on that date to block a vote to suspend the sales tax on gasoline.
“Since Representative Froehlich last voted against gas tax relief, prices have risen over 50 cents per gallon,” said Forte-Scott. “I hope he changes his position...again.”
“Since being elected, Representative Froehlich has seen his pay increase, he’s passed a budget that is over $1.5 billion in the red and he’s voted against gas tax relief,” said Scott. “Now is the time for Representative Froehlich to stand with working families, or at least get out of the way.”
On Tuesday, May 20th, House Republicans will move to discharge House Bill 6318 from the Democrat controlled Rules Committee. If approved by the House, the suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline would begin immediately following approval by the Senate and Governor.
