Reboletti, Coladipietro & Fortner Support “No Tax Increase” Budget

May 29, 2007

Springfield, IL … State Representatives Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst), Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) and Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) today, announced their support for a “No Tax Increase” budget.

Reboletti said “The only budget option that Governor Blagojevich and the Democratic House and Senate have offered is one that will increase taxes and increase spending. The families of Illinois can not afford another tax increase on top of increases in gasoline and electric rates. How about employing a philosophy that families in this state have to live by, and that’s to live within your means.”

The House Republicans, under the leadership of Minority Leader Tom Cross, proposed a state budget that would include a $5 billion capitol program to meet our current pension obligation, create new jobs and invest in education, roads, and mass transit. Funding for this capitol program would come from increased slots in existing gaming operations.

“In the next fiscal year, it’s estimated that the State will see $750 million in new revenue. Instead of using those funds to pay for the Governor’s pork projects, we should use that money to pay down our pension debt,” Coladipietro said. “It’s amazing that we have been down in Springfield since January, and the Governor, House Speaker and Senate President, who happen to all be from the same party, could not find the time to meet to come up with a reasonable budget. We owe it to our residents to come up with a fiscally responsible budget.”

Fortner said, “Since the Governor’s budget address, I have continually stated my support for the State to fully fund education and find a reasonable solution to the uninsured. The entire Democratic leadership of our state had the opportunity to come together to find solutions to these problems. However, they squandered this opportunity squabbling among themselves.”

For more information contact Dennis Reboletti at (630) 530-2730, Franco Coladipietro at (630) 582-4500 or Mike Fortner at (630) 293-9344.


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