State must show real responsibility
There are two basic Republican Party principles that I have always supported. The first requires that government must responsibly comply with its legal obligations to pay all of its debts on time and not be in arrears. No new programs should ever be implemented until a budget is legitimately balanced.
The comptroller for Illinois has just announced that Illinois ended the year 2007 with a record amount of unpaid bills -- more than $1.7 billion. Added on to this deficit are unfunded pension obligations of $40 billion.
Serious consideration must be given that all revenues generated by the state, from whatever source, go directly into the general revenue fund of the state budget to help address the severe deficit existing in the current budget.
The second principle states that local governments have the exclusive right to make the determination for the course of action for their home community.
As a former mayor of a neighboring community, I strongly believe the choice to allow slot machines at Arlington Park be under the sole deliberation of the elected officials of the Arlington Heights village board.
Although I personally oppose gambling, the decision as to placement of gambling devices must lie within the careful deliberation of members of the village board with input from citizens.
Current proposals for gambling expansion give the power to the state to override municipal law. This sets up a bad precedent for all local communities and renders their decisions silent.
Illinois must focus on these two important standards, thereby ensuring government responsibility to its citizens.
State Rep. Carolyn H. Krause
Mount Prospect