Saturday, Oct. 25

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Bomke supporting measures to protect jobs, consumers     Send a link to a friend

[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.

"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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