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Sen. Brady responds to State of the State
address
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[FEB. 4, 2005]
SPRINGFIELD -- State
Sen. Bill Brady,
R-Bloomington, says the governor has some ambitious goals for the
2005 legislative session but does not seem to be facing the reality
of the problems being faced by the citizens of Illinois.
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Gov. Rod Blagojevich presented his
third State of the State address Feb. 3 to a joint session of
Illinois lawmakers. "I think,
to some extent, the governor is still living in never-never land,"
Brady said. "To sit there and say 'the state of Illinois is strong,'
I think is not dealing with the real world. To suggest that he has
cut $3 billion in state spending is hypocrisy. This is the only
governor in the last two years, throughout the nation, who has
increased state spending in deficit proportions. Somehow we're going
to have to give him a reality check."
In his
State of the State address, Blagojevich provided broad outlines for
change, including:
- Require utility companies to use
more wind power.
- Develop the wine industry in
central and southern Illinois.
- Eliminate a rule that bars the
children of illegal immigrants from enrolling in preschool
programs.
- Increase field staff for the
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to help veterans apply
for and receive federal benefits.
- Reform the workers' compensation
system.
- Boost the number of nurses in
Illinois.
- Crack down on deadbeat parents.
- Promote a "kinder, gentler"
attitude toward business.
- Pass meaningful medical
malpractice reform.
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"I was pleased to see the governor
did face up to the fact the Illinois has a crisis in the area of
medical malpractice and a crisis in the area of workers'
compensation," Brady said. "Having said that, I'll do everything I
can to remove the barrier of partisan politics to work toward a
solution. I must tell you, though, the proof will be in the pudding.
The governor had the opportunity over the last two years to lead on
both these issues, and he has failed to do so. But, if he's willing
to make it part of his State of the State address, I'm willing to
work with him to make Illinois a better place."
Blagojevich will outline his plans
to fund his agenda Feb. 16 during his budget address.
[Illinois
Senate Republican Caucus news release]
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