Q&A with Bob Kaempfe and Michael Tryon

Republican Michael Tryon of Crystal Lake takes on Democrat Robert Kaempfe of Crystal Lake in the 64th House State race.

Q. What is your Number 1 campaign issue?

Kaempfe. Budget.

Tryon. Job Creation. Currently, in excess of 10 percent of Illinoisans are unemployed. In certain areas of the state such as Rockford it is approaching 15 percent. It is imperative that the state of Illinois become competitive with surrounding states to attract new industry and retain jobs. We need to reform the statutes which deal with workers' compensation, government secured financing and incentives that are offered as tools to attract business.

Q. What is your Number 2 campaign issue?

Kaempfe. Jobs

Tryon. Finance/Budgeting.

The budget that was presented to lawmakers by the Governor and Speaker of the House earlier this year was not a responsible budget. It was not balanced as required by the state's constitution, relied on excessive borrowing, included no spending reforms and no initiatives that would begin making Illinois a financially-stable state. For that reason I voted against it. I feel strongly that borrowing $4 billion to pay pensions, raiding $1 billion from special funds, ignoring the $6 billion backlog of unpaid bills to service agencies and schools, and borrowing from future settlement proceeds are irresponsible actions that hurt taxpayers.

During this legislative session, I sponsored House Bill 5212, the Truth in Accounting Act. If approved, this act would have imposed a highly stringent set of accounting standards to the Illinois state budgeting process. Simply put, it would prohibit the General Assembly from passing appropriation bills until it adopts a joint resolution reflecting for that fiscal year the state's estimated income, balance sheet, cash flow, and surplus or deficit. What this would do is put everyone involved in the budgeting process on the same page by offering a real look at the fiscal condition of the state annually. It would allow the legislature to focus on long-term, responsible budgeting instead of the ineffective, piecemeal approach that the legislature currently takes. Unfortunately, House Speaker Madigan never allowed this bill to be called for a vote.

Q. What should be done to solve the state's budget crisis? What specific measures should be cut for how much in savings? Would you support or oppose an income tax increase or a state sales tax increase? Lay out a specific plan of what needs to be done.

Kaempfe. Eliminate the earmarks that representatives get to spend in their districts. Eliminate state agencies that overlap and duplicate efforts. Eliminate the office of Lt. Gov. and consolidate the offices of treasurer and comptroller. Close the state offices in the Chicago Thompson Center, they duplicate offices already in Springfield. Spending must be scrutinized and brought under control. I would oppose a tax increase when so many things can first be done to reduce spending.

Tryon. Illinoisans and Illinois businesses are NOT undertaxed. But in the last eight years, the State has overspent. The annual growth in state spending has averaged 4 percent. With a shrinking private sector economy, to increase taxes without taming the budget growth would be irresponsible. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune which quoted the 2010 Bookings Institute Report, median wage earners in the Chicago metropolitan area are earning 8 percent less per year than they were eight years ago. In short, the cost of government has exceeded the private sector's ability to pay for it.

How can any legislator justify raising taxes when the average state AFCME employee is receiving 7 percent pay increases and when Governor Quinn gave his top 124 employees 11 percent raises this year? How could I possibly justify voting for an income tax increase on families who have lost 8 percent of their wages to help fund these irresponsible state spending practices?

Specifically, the state must reform spending and manage the remaining deficit until the job and consumer markets improve. There are many areas where cuts and reforms can and must be made.

1. A $1.6-$2 billion annual savings can be realized with Medicaid reform.

2. We must revise labor contracts to reduce the $330 million pay raises that State employees are now getting. All pay increases should be eliminated and the payroll reduced by an additional $300 million though agency consolidation and privatization of certain state functions.

3. Agency spending reductions of $1.2 billion can be made through line item reductions applied to every agency at 4 percent.

4. The All-Kids Insurance program, with proper accountability reforms, can save up to $70 million though increased Federal reimbursement and eligibility auditing.

5. Another $55 million would be realized by managing State assets in an efficient manner, such as not using airplanes and reducing the number of fleet vehicles used by State employees.

6. Changes in budget accountability through an audit similar to a forensic audit has the potential to save in excess of $1 billion, as evidenced by Kansas' ability to cut $1 billion and Texas' ability to cut $8 billion.

These cuts, while not easy, will provide for the majority of the State's structural deficit, which lies at $7 billion annually. The remainder of the current budget deficit are one-time unpaid expenses carried over from the previous spending year. This debt must be strategically managed through short term borrowing and intra-fund management.

Q. What is your view on the pension legislation passed last year? Do you support or oppose lower benefits and higher employee contributions for current state workers? Specifically, how should state officials resolve underfunding problems?

Kaempfe. I oppose lower benefits and higher contributions for current workers. That will be at least one thing that can be done for future employees to help resolve the underfunding problem.

Tryon. I supported the pension reforms that passed last year, which was a significant step in balancing the pension deficit with a 50-year savings of $25 billion. There needs to be additional contributions made by employees and employers to help fund the State's 13 pension systems. I did support an increase in contributions to help offset health care costs for early pension retirees. The State must continue to improve the management efficiencies of the pension system.

Q. Do you oppose or support civil unions? Gay marriage? What abortion restrictions do you support? What about parental notification? Late-term abortion? Should there be controls on gun ownership? If so, what would you support?

Kaempfe. I support civil unions or gay marriage, after all it is nobody's business but the people involved. Most of the time someone points to the Bible and says it is not supposed to happen. Fine, then let God make the decision, not them. My feeling is He would forgive, if there was anything to forgive. Anyone who has committed a felony should not be able to own a gun.

Tryon. I believe a marriage should be between one man and one woman. While culturally our society is adapting and accepting those individuals who choose to same-sex partners, I do not believe we are yet in a position to support changes to our current laws. I believe life begins at the moment of conception and the decision to terminate pregnancy should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life or health is in jeopardy. I am a strong supporter of parental notification when a minor child is to receive any type of surgical procedure. I believe that parents and guardians have a right to be involved in that decision. This is not something that an extended family member, a clergy member, or any other person should make without a parent's knowledge. The Unites States Constitution is clear regarding gun ownership. The Constitution states that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon. The problem is not gun ownership; it's gun violence. We should treat gun violence like a disease and provide funding mechanisms at the State and Local level for prevention programs and anti-violence counseling.

Q. Where do you stand on campaign finance caps for legislative leaders and parties? Will you vote for your current caucus leader? Do you support an amendment for a different political map system? Why or why not?

Kaempfe. I think all elected officials should all be subject to the same limits, whether they are a leader or not. The real problem with campaign finance is there is just to much money in politics. Make corporate lobbyist's illegal, and you would probably eliminate most corruption. Their only concern is profits, not what is right or good for the people. I have not yet decided if I would vote for the current caucus leader. A different political map system would be a good idea. The current system is outdated, confusing and unfair.

Tryon. I support campaign finance caps for individual General Assembly candidates of $2,500 and $5,000 for a statewide candidates. I will be supporting the current Minority Leader Tom Cross to serve as Speaker of the House or Minority Legislative Leader of the Republican Caucus. As Speaker of the House, Tom Cross would bring fiscally responsible spending practices to State government as evidenced by his continual support of changes in the way the State's budget process works.

Q. Legislation recently passed that exempts the evaluations of all public workers from FOIA. Do you support such an exemption? For a certain class of public employees (e.g. police officers, road workers etc.)? Explain.

Kaempfe. Yes. I don't see how the evaluation of a public worker would be of any interest (or use) to anyone. If they don't perform well at work, they could be disciplined. If they break the law, they are subject to the justice system.

Tryon. I believe that citizens of this state are shareholders in their government and are entitled to all information within an appropriate time frame.

Name of Candidate: Michael W. Tryon

Hometown: Crystal Lake

Running for: Illinois Congressman, 64th District

Party affiliation: Republican

Candidate Incumbent? No

Occupation: President, John A. Raber and Associates President, McHenry Analytical