GOP, Democrats describe legislative goals
SPRINGFIELD - In separate presentations Thursday, state Republican leaders presented a legislative agenda meant to reduce spending and safeguard against tax increases, while Senate Democrats touted initiatives to bring jobs to Illinois.
A six-point plan endorsed by House Republican Leader Tom Cross included cutting down on duplicated state services, requiring a three-fifths majority to raise taxes and enhancing rank-and-file lawmakers' abilities to call legislation to a vote.
Both parties' presentations came as lawmakers brace for Gov. Pat Quinn's budget address next week, when he'll outline his plan of attack for addressing the state's budget deficit of roughly $13 billion.
Cross said his agenda is a partial remedy for a state that's been "overtaxed, overborrowed and overspent" during the last eight years.
"It's not a complete solution to our problem, but it's part of the solution," said Cross, of Oswego.
John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. which helped draft Cross's proposals, said state spending increased 39 percent between 1998 and 2008, even after adjusting for inflation.
"People like to talk about 'structural deficits,'" Tillman said. "That's just a fancy word to hide the fact that we spend more than we take in."
In contrast, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability estimated that spending adjusted for inflation actually decreased between 2000 and 2010.
State Sen. Michael Noland, a Democrat from Elgin, said any spending increases of the last several years resulted from neglected pension payments that predate Democratic control of both the capitol and governor's office.
"So these roosters have been coming home to roost for a long time," Noland said. "This is not something that happened just over the last seven or eight years like [Republicans] would like you to believe."
Both parties also emphasized Thursday a need to adjust business regulation.
Tillman said the American Legislative Exchange Council ranked Illinois 48th in terms of economic opportunity - a low ranking reflected by the state's roughly 700,000 unemployed residents.
"And one of the reasons for that is these roadblocks or speed bumps on the way to starting a [new] business," Tillman said.
Noland cited a proposal he sponsored to give tax credits to small businesses that develop along riverfront communities as one of several Democratic efforts to invigorate Illinois industry. He also reiterated support for a proposal to award up to $5,000 to qualified, unemployed residents who start new businesses.
Gov. Quinn will present next year's budget proposal on Wednesday, March 10.