Marty Moylan: Candidate Profile

Back to 55th State House District

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Des PlainesWebsite: http://martyforstaterep.com/Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 55th State House District Age: 65Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Retired Electrician, Full-time legislatorEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Mayor, Des Plaines, 2009-2012Alderman, Des Plaines, 2007-2009Questions Answers What needs to be done structurally to make the legislature more effective? Will you vote for your current legislative leader? What is your position on term limits in general and specifically for legislative leaders? Do you support the ongoing drive for a constitutional amendment on redistricting? What will you do to promote implementation of any changes you recommend?The past two years have been frustrating for me. As a public servant, I believe we can move the state forward by approaching things differently. We need to compromise and commit to working together. The governor and Legislature needs to realize that the budget is more than a game - it's real people being affected. From going door-to-door and making phone calls, the people in our communities are fed up with the political games being played. We must do a better job listening to our constituents and representing their concerns. One example is House Bill 4259, which I passed this year that ended taxpayer-funded pensions for lobbyists. It was brought to my attention by The Daily Herald and local residents so I took action. I support term limits for legislators. It's important for me to know the specifics for any proposal. I believe that if we are to place term limits on legislators, we must be consistent and do the same for constitutional offices. It's time we took the redistricting process out of the hands of politicians and handed the job over to an independent commission. In Springfield, I supported House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 58 which would have created an independent commission tasked with redrawing our legislative districts. The best way to garner support for these changes is to be open and transparent with those involved. If we can bring stakeholders to the table and discuss common-sense changes and come to compromises, we can move our state forward.Would you vote for an increase in state income taxes or sales taxes? Would you vote for new taxes, such as on services? What is your position on a graduated income tax?Since I took office, I have not and will not support increasing taxes on hardworking middle class families in Illinois. I see it every day, from parents struggling to provide for their families to seniors living on fixed incomes who are being taxed out of house and home, the squeeze on middle class families is real. These families simply do not have more money to hand over to the government. At the same time, we do not have to place the burden of cuts on our education system, women and senior health programs, and our veterans in order to close fiscal gaps. I cannot stand idly by while corporate big-wigs get bailouts and tax breaks and force the gap between them and the middle class to grow wider and wider. This is why I think that we can responsibly close the budget deficit through cuts to state spending, closing corporate tax loopholes and increasing tax rates on millionaires so they pay their fair share.What changes, if any, do you support in education and education funding in Illinois? Please be specific.I think the way the state funds public schools could use a much closer look. When it comes to our children and their education, there cannot be winners and losers. That is why I opposed the reform effort sponsored by state Sen. Andy Manar, because it would have simply taken money from schools in my district and shifted it to other parts of the state. I will continue to ensure that the children in my district do not face a loss of state financial support. However, I understand something needs to be done to improve education funding in Illinois. It is for this reason that I supported House Bill 3763 last year and Senate Bill 2048 this year. These plans would increase funding across Illinois without forcing some districts to lose state support.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made?I believe that responsible cuts need to be made to portions of Illinois' spending to produce the leanest, most efficient government possible. Some of these ideas would be eliminating the state-funded pension system for law makers, consolidating services provided by state agencies, consolidating the offices of comptroller and treasurer, eliminating the office of lieutenant governor, and reducing the amount of vehicles in our state's vehicle and air fleets.What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems?I voted for the pension reform proposal in 2013. Unfortunately, this proposal was ruled unconstitutional. Something needs to change, and I believe that all of my colleagues in the House, the Senate and the governor recognize this. Through decades of neglect from previous governors and legislators from both sides of the aisle, our state failed to make sufficient contributions. I am committed to ending this troubled past. I have voted to fully fund pensions every year since I took office. We need to come together with all stakeholders and address this problem in a constitutional way.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?My top priorities are crafting a responsible budget, protecting our families, and fighting for safety in our schools and neighborhoods. I am refusing to balance the budget solely through deep cuts to critical programs. I am fighting to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and potential terrorists, and trying to make our schools safer.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.