Remember what didn't get done

What took so long? Our courageous governor and state lawmakers announced this week they had finally reached agreement on a plan to keep the buses and trains running in Chicago and the suburbs. In the end, the legislation they approved was similar to legislation proposed months ago.

The governor agreed to raise taxes and then, to make himself look good, added the provision that will allow senior citizens to ride for free. A little give and take and the deal was done.

And, as expected, we'll be paying for it. This could have happened last summer.

But political egos were far bigger than the needs of the state, so we watched the governor and legislature do nothing but talk for months.

Under extreme pressure to get something done, they finally reached a compromise. Now let's see what they can do about the rest of our problems.

We still need to find the money to adequately fund education, road construction and health care, to name just a few. Who knows when we'll see that accomplished. Voters generally have short memories.

But this time we should make it a point to remember what was not done in Springfield in 2007.

If our governor and state lawmakers are unable to come together and figure out how to fund state government, then we should send them packing and elect people who can put the needs of our state above petty politics and not take months to get it done.

Tom Petersen

Elgin