Farnham faces layoff fallout at Elgin forum
State Rep. Keith Farnham faced the music for the state's budget disaster Tuesday night during a town-hall meeting, vowing to fight future attempts to cut pensions of current teachers and pushing for the state to contract its spending instead of relying on tax increases to make ends meet.
"People don't trust government right now. Somehow we've got to earn that trust back," he said after the 90-minute forum. "We've got to go and meet people who are angry and listen to them."
The audience lacked size, but their questions were pointed.
A group of Elgin Area School District U-46 teachers took the Democrat to task over 1,000-plus layoffs that are the direct result of the state's inability to pay its bills. They also lamented that teaching talent is looking outside of Illinois and questioned that if pension reform for future state employees and teachers was completed in a day, how come other solutions can't be found.
Farnham, who represents the 43rd District, offered no comprehensive plan for fixing the state's budget mess, but said without question, Springfield has both revenue and spending problems.
Farnham said he would oppose an increase in the state income tax. "I think that the state if Illinois is addicted to cash flow in any form," he said. "Somehow we have to contract spending."
Along with Elgin Mayor Ed Schock, Farnham trumpeted funding that he, state Sen. Michael Noland and other leaders helped secure for the 1,500-foot-long reconstruction of Riverside Drive in downtown Elgin.
The $13 million is part of a $30 billion capital plan that can only be spent on bricks and mortar and has been promised by Gov. Pat Quinn and officials say it will boost the downtown and create jobs.
Farnham will face a challenge on Nov. 2 from Republican Ruth Munson, who lost a third re-election bid in 2008 to Farnham by 322 votes.
Munson also opposes a tax increase and says partnering with suburban research facilities like Fermilab and Argonne will create not only high-tech positions but residual manufacturing jobs as well. "It's really a way to kick start the economy," she said.
The 43rd House District includes parts of Elgin, South Elgin, East Dundee and Carpentersville.
State Sen. Michael Noland also will host a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday the library, 270 N. Grove Ave.
The Democrat is expected to tout his plan to offer tax breaks to companies that create new jobs.
Steve Rauschenberger, a Republican who formerly held the 22nd District Senate seat before giving it up to run for governor several years ago, is Noland's opponent in the November election.