Governor Bruce Rauner remains committed to a new direction for Illinois, asking lawmakers again to work with him to achieve fiscal responsibility and a fundamental change in the way state government works, according to Senator Tim Bivins.

Governor Rauner issued his call for change during his second “State of the State” address, presented to a joint session of Illinois lawmakers Jan. 27 in the House of Representatives chambers.

“A new legislative year is a good time to renew our pledge for fiscal responsibility and to end years of spending beyond what taxpayers can afford. Those who insist on maintaining the status quo have got to come to terms with some harsh fiscal realities. Illinois’ finances are a mess and the decisions we face are tough,” Senator Bivins said. “As I said in September 2015 – and it bears repeating – ‘$38 billion in spending, $32 billion in revenue, vote no.’”

To overcome years of economic stagnation and loss, Illinois’ legislative leaders must move beyond outdated policies, partisan differences and power plays. Senator Bivins said the state’s fiscal forecast is bleak if the legislative majorities refuse to come to the table. With no meaningful reforms, Illinois is projected to have a nearly $5 billion hole in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget and by June 30, the state could have $9 billion in unpaid bills.

“While Democrats leaders keep their iron grip on the status quo and continue to play their power games, agencies like Lutheran Social Services of Illinois are forced to make terribly difficult decisions that affect senior citizens, the homeless, and people with mental health issues,” Senator Bivins said. “Our state’s safety net is failing the people it is supposed to serve.”

Senator Bivins said the Rauner Administration has been working to bring a new direction to Illinois, but are dealing with the cumulative effects of years of tax-and-spend policies and questionable budgeting practices. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget recently released three-year fiscal projections mandated by state statute, and those numbers are even more disturbing. The projections show that under “auto-pilot” budgets over the next three years, the state’s backlog of bills could reach $25 billion by June 30, 2019.

Senator Bivins said key to turning Illinois around is promoting the kind of economic climate that encourages job creation and growth. Other legislative issues that should be part of the conversation this year are property tax relief; education funding and reforms that prepare young people for careers; workers’ compensation and regulation reforms that encourage business growth and jobs; and reining in state spending.

“I am a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility. My Senate district office has consistently come in under budget each year – by as much as 34% one year. What we did not spend, we returned to the state’s General Revenue Fund,” Senator Bivins said “The money spent by my office is provided by the hard-working taxpayers and I have a responsibility to manage it prudently.”

The 45th District Senator said he stands ready to work with Governor Rauner and his fellow lawmakers to find solutions for the many problems facing Illinois.

“I remain committed to passing a balanced, constitutional state budget, as well as fundamental reforms to boost jobs creation and economic prosperity,” Senator Bivins said.

Governor Rauner will present his Budget Address on February 17.