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Bomke supporting measures
to protect jobs, consumers
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[OCT. 25, 2003]
SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen.
Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, is lending his support to a series of
bills that will support jobs and consumers by eliminating several of
the tax and fee increases approved by the Democratic majority this
spring.
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"I understand that the state is having
financial difficulties, but these tax and fee increases have a
negative impact on business, on jobs and on area families," said
Bomke. "I have been reviewing these increases and targeted several
that I want to see eliminated because they place too large a burden
on Illinois residents and simply are not generating the incomes
promised by the Democrats."
During the November veto session Bomke
and many of his Republican colleagues are sponsoring the laws to
eliminate tax and fee increases, including restoring the rolling
stock exemption -- a tax on trucks that is forcing many trucking
companies to leave Illinois. Bomke also supports eliminating a tax
on coal machinery and equipment and restoring diversions from the
state's road fund, as well as eliminating the NPDES fees on local
governments and not-for-profit organizations.
"You cannot solve the state's budget
problems by increasing fees to the point where jobs are lost and
where local governments have to tax consumers," Bomke said. "I am
particularly concerned about the road fund raids in light of the
road construction needs here in my district and throughout
Illinois."
Bomke and his Republican colleagues
opposed the budget that totaled more than $1 billion over fiscal
2003, despite the state's budget deficit. Now, the overspending is
distorted by declining state revenue, as plans to sell state
buildings and auction off riverboat licenses fail to produce enough
funds to pay for the budget. And, the 300 fee increases only drain
more revenue from the state by driving business away.
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"If we get rid of the $1 billion in new
spending, we get a lot closer to a balanced budget than we have
now," said Bomke. "Instead the governor is trying to sell
skyscrapers in Chicago that nobody wants to buy, while he has two
mansions in Springfield and DuQuoin that sit vacant at the
taxpayers' expense while he continues to live in Chicago, away from
the hub of state government. We need to sit down in Springfield this
November and look at new budget options that make sense, not pass
laws that drive business and jobs out of state."
The
legislation was filed Oct. 23. Bomke is a chief sponsor of bills
restoring the coal and oil machinery exemption (Senate Bill 2102),
rolling stock exemption (Senate Bill 2101), and road fund diversions
(Senate Bill 2099). He also plans to sign on as a co-sponsor of the
legislation (Senate Bill 2094) eliminating excessive sewer and water
fees placed on local governments and not-for-profit organizations.
[News release]
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