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Rep. Sauer Says Taxpayers Deserve Revenue Estimate from General Assembly

SPRINGFIELD - On Wednesday, Governor Bruce Rauner will give his annual budget address to the General Assembly. Though the Governor has yet to offer his spending recommendations, some Democrats in the General Assembly have already begun to complain about the impending recommendations and expected spending reductions it may include. State Representative Nick Sauer (R-Lake Barrington) says before the squabbles ensue over how much taxpayer money is spent; his Democratic colleagues should be more concerned with how much revenue the state will actually collect.

"For years, the Democrats, who control the General Assembly, have refused to follow an Illinois Constitutional tenant and a simple premise of sound budgeting - to first issue a revenue estimate," said Sauer. "Understanding what monies are available before allocating them is common sense.

"Sadly, our Republican requests for a revenue estimate are again being ignored so political posturing and bumper sticker slogans like 'fiscally responsible' can be over-used by all, but only practiced by some."

Over the past two years, Republicans have repeatedly called for the General Assembly to follow the Constitutional requirement that a revenue estimate be adopted to ensure the state budget is balanced with expected tax receipts. Sauer and his colleagues went so far as to solicit legal intervention from the Illinois Attorney General last year, but no action was taken.

"As Illinoisans we must demand better," said Sauer. "It starts with the General Assembly. We need a revenue estimate."

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