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ILLINOIS HOUSE REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCE ECONOMIC REFORM AGENDA FOCUSED ON JOBS, SPENDING, BUDGET & LEGISLATIVE REFORMS
Illinois Policy Institute and House Republicans Join Together on Common Sense Reforms
SPRINGFIELD - In advance of Governor Quinn’s budget address next week, House Republicans are joining together with the Illinois Policy Institute to outline a series of reforms focused on bringing jobs, responsible spending, and accountable government back to Illinois. The six-point agenda includes proposals to help spur job creation through eliminating regulations that stifle economic development, injecting transparency into the budget process, creating more openness to the legislative process, implementing reasonable guidelines to control spending, providing for a top-to-bottom review to eliminate duplicative and wasteful spending, and requiring a supermajority to raise taxes.
“For the second consecutive year, we are outlining a common sense economic reform agenda that will create jobs, rein in wasteful spending and provide significant legislative reforms to change the way business is done in Springfield,” said Tom Cross, House Republican Leader.
“With record unemployment and budget deficits, one would think the leaders in Springfield would be more focused on job creation, cutting spending and reforming government,” said John Tillman, CEO, Illinois Policy Institute. “Yet, what we see is a ‘kick the can down the road until after the election’ approach. Our state is long overdue for real reforms that create jobs and inject transparency and accountability into government. We hope representatives from both parties will sign on to these common-sense ideas for a better Illinois.”
The Economic Reform Agenda Includes:
•Appoint Members to the Sunshine Commission – The Sunshine Commission, an independent commission of residents and business leaders who will make specific recommendations to consolidate or eliminate duplicative or ineffective programs, was created by Executive Order in 2009; not one member has been appointed to the Commission.
•Spending Reform – State spending has risen 39 percent over the past decade, while the population increased by 6.8 percent. This proposal will control government spending with common-sense reforms.
•Regulatory Reform – Illinois currently ranks third to last in economic performance, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council. Regulatory hurdles can create a hostile environment for businesses looking to start or expand in Illinois. Reform legislation would call for a comprehensive review of job-killing regulations and require an up-or-down vote on eliminating these provisions.
•Supermajority Vote for Tax and Fee Increases – HRJCA 28 requires a three-fifths supermajority vote on any legislation that would raise taxes or fees on Illinois families or businesses.
•Budget Transparency – This legislation would give the public seven days to review the budget online before it is voted upon in the House and Senate, thereby providing additional time for the media and public to review and provide input.
•Legislative Openness – Would require any piece of legislation that is co-sponsored by one-third of all members of the full chamber be automatically scheduled for a floor vote in accordance with the calendar.
About the Illinois Policy Institute -
The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonpartisan research and education organization dedicated to making our state a beacon for liberty and prosperity for all citizens. As a leading voice for economic liberty and government accountability, we engage policy makers, opinion leaders, and citizens on the state and local level by promoting free market principles and liberty-based public policy initiatives for a better Illinois. To learn more about our organization or review our policy briefs, please visit our website at www.illinoispolicy.org.
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