Before members of both the Illinois House and Senate, newly-elected Governor JB Pritzker delivered his first-ever budget address on February 20th.
State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) issued the following statement in response the address:
“I believe it was Abraham Lincoln that once said ‘You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.’ Today’s budget proposal clearly does not reflect that principle. Deferring pension payments today will cost tomorrow’s taxpayers billions more in coming years. The reality is, more spending today means more taxes tomorrow,” stated Righter. “This state faces critical issues: a growing backlog of bills, a ballooning deficit, and a business climate that discourages investment in our communities and economy. These conditions are the predictable result of twenty years of reckless fiscal policies.”
“Unfortunately, the Governor’s budget proposal is a repeat edition of these same failed policies—deferring pension payments, more taxes, increased spending and more borrowing,” said Righter. “It is my sincere hope that the Governor will listen to constructive feedback and alter his course away from repeating the mistakes of the past.”