Legislative Leaders Approve 30 Day Emergency Spending Plan

June 29, 2007

Springfield … “By passing a 30 day emergency budget, the state has averted a complete government shut down,” said State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst). The approved 30-day budget will keep state services operating at FY07 levels. In addition, the House Republicans were successful in stopping the Democratic leadership from adding $77 million in pork projects.

“I’m relieved that the legislative leaders were able to come up with at least a 30 day budget that would ensure that employees receive paychecks and residents have access to essential state services. However, we don’t have a plan for the remaining 334 days left in the fiscal year,” Reboletti said.

The temporary state budget is set to expire on July 31st. If a budget is not approved by July 31st, the state will once again be forced to discontinue services and employees will not receive their paychecks.

“I hope that the Governor will come to his senses and will sit down with the four legislative leaders to work on a fiscally responsible budget. The Governor has squandered precious time with the legislative leaders discussing irrelevant topics that have nothing to do with the budget,” Reboletti said. “There are millions of residents in this state that on a daily basis rely on the state to provide everything from maintaining the roadways to pension checks for retired teachers. It’s completely unacceptable to tell our residents that even though we’ve been in session since January the Democrat leadership was not able to produce a budget that would keep this state and its essential services operating.

Back in May, the House Republicans had proposed a “NO Tax Increase” budget. This budget would include a $5 billion capitol program to meet the state’s current pension obligation, create new jobs and invest in education, roads, and mass transit. Funding for this capitol program would come from $750 million in projected new revenue.

“I hope that the Democratic leadership in this state will earnestly come to the table ready to produce a budget. The people of this state depend on it,” Reboletti said.

For additional information, Representative Reboletti can be contacted at 630-530-2730.

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