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June 24, 2009
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton Addresses RCGA Board and Public Policy Leaders on State Budget and Capital Bill
On June 17th and 18th, the RCGA welcomed Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) as he met with civic leaders for dinner, and spoke at an RCGA Board of Directors meeting and addressed a luncheon with RCGA's Illinois Public Affairs Committee and Public Policy Council. Sen. Cullerton's visit was very timely, as the Illinois General Assembly reconvened on Tuesday to tackle the state's budget challenge and capital bill. Sen. Cullerton was introduced at the RCGA meetings by Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne (D-Belleville). Also participating in the discussions were Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), Rep. Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville) and Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan.
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Senator Cullerton speaks to the RCGA Board of Directors.
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Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne, Senator Cullerton and Senator Bill Haine meet at the RCGA Illinois Public Affairs Committee/Public Policy luncheon.
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Sen. Cullerton spoke of his success in achieving bi-partisan support for passage of Illinois capital bill -- the first since 1999. The capital bill includes several important projects for Southwestern Illinois, such as a new science building at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, funding for Metrolink extension to Scott Air Force Base, regional road improvements, the Rivers Edge brownfield cleanup program in East St. Louis, and funding for high-speed rail between Chicago and St. Louis. Sen. Cullerton complimented the Southwestern Illinois delegation for being particularly adept at securing projects for our region. He expects Gov. Quinn to sign the capital bill.
On the subject of the state's $9 billion operating budget deficit for next year, Sen. Cullerton indicated that a tax increase is necessary to avoid"draconian" cuts in state programs. In a special session, passage of the budget will require a three-fifths vote, which means there will need to be bipartisan support for any tax increases.
Sen. Cullerton's RCGA visit to the RCGA was facilitated by RCGA Board member Tom Minogue, Chairman of the Thompson Coburn law firm. |
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Focus on Illinois: Special Session Called to Resolve Budget Deficit
On Tuesday the Illinois General Assembly convened for a special legislative session to continue to work a new state budget to take effect on July 1st. The budget sent to Governor Pat Quinn on May 31st, the final day of the regular session, had a $9 billion gap between spending and revenue. Gov. Quinn has yet to sign that budget, despite the fact that the state's new fiscal year begins next week.
During a stop in Belleville last week to discuss potential cuts to social service and health care programs, Gov. Quinn advocated an income tax increase from 3% to 4.5% to fill the budget gap. Republican leaders have advocated reining in government spending on health care and employee pensions before raising taxes.
During the regular session, the Illinois Senate voted to increase the income tax to 5%. The House rejected a temporary increase to 4.5%. In the special session, a three-fifths vote is required for passage, meaning Republican support will be needed.
Gov. Quinn also called the Illinois General Assembly to finish work on the capital bill and the following issues:
- Reform the operations of state government to ensure ethical conduct, transparency and accountability,
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Commit to restructuring the State's pension system to ensure sustainability, affordability and solvency,
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Place on the November, 2010 general election ballot a Constitutional amendment for structural reform and recall.
Kevin Riggs, RCGA Director of Illinois Government Affairs, represents the RCGA's interests in Springfield and will continue to report on the actions of the General Assembly as they happen.
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RCGA Urges Governor Nixon to Sign Funding Bill for St. Louis Area Projects
In the last weeks of the Missouri legislative session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 22, which uses federal budget stabilization funds to support various projects around the State. The bill included important provisions for the St. Louis region, such as $12 million for Metro, $12 million for foreign trade zone facilities and $28 million for renovations to the science buildings at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
The RCGA wrote to Governor Jay Nixon urging him to sign the bill. The $12 million, one-time emergency appropriation for Metro would allow the agency to add back back service to select destinations, alleviate overcrowding on key routes and recall some laid-off Metro operators. The foreign trade zone appropriation would greatly assist the Midwest-China Hub Commission efforts in positioning St. Louis and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport as a center for Chinese trade and cargo. The renovation of the Benton-Stadler building at the University of Missouri St. Louis would update the aging science building with state of the art lab space, equipment and teaching facilities and allow the university to better train students for high-tech research jobs.
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The RCGAdvocate is published periodically to inform RCGA members and government officials about important public policy matters at the state, federal and local levels. It seeks to provide timely, in-depth coverage on regional issues, and, at times, to call RCGA members to action. We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Richard C.D. Fleming ~ President & CEO ~ (314) 444-1100 ~ dfleming@stlrcga.org
Chip Casteel ~ Senior V.P. of Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1107 ~ ccasteel@stlrcga.org
Susan Stauder ~ V.P. of Infrastructure & Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1155 ~ sstauder@stlrcga.org
Eric Schneider ~ Senior Director of Public Policy Research ~ (314) 444-1148 ~ eschneider@stlrcga.org
Kevin Riggs ~ Director of Illinois Government Affairs ~ (314) 444-1108 ~ kriggs@stlrcga.org
Christine Snively ~ Project Manager of Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1144 ~ csnively@stlrcga.org
Sherri Bailey ~ Executive Assistant for Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1134 ~ sbailey@stlrcga.org
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