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Bomke reacts to governor's State of the State address
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[JAN. 19, 2006]
SPRINGFIELD -- After listening to Gov.
Blagojevich's fourth annual State of the State address, state
Sen.
Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, was left wanting more details.
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"The governor's State of
the State address has been big on hype and lean on substance for the
last four years," Bomke said. "As always, there were interesting
ideas presented, but at this point I think most lawmakers take what
the governor says with a grain of salt. This administration has a
history of coming to the table with proposals that sound great but
without any substantial explanation as to how the programs will
actually be employed or funded." As expected, Blagojevich
presented his $3.2 billion public works capital program to the
General Assembly during his address. Bomke said that while he could
support a capital plan that is fiscally responsible and ethically
sound, he had questions concerning the revenue source for the
governor's plan.
"According to the governor, the $2.3 billion road program will be
funded by 'excess' revenues, which begs the question: If there are
excess revenues available, why haven't those funds been used to pay
for the many stalled, and desperately needed, road projects
throughout Illinois? Why haven't we been paying contractors, who, in
some instances, have been waiting months to be reimbursed?" Bomke
questioned. "If there is excess road money, then why are we
borrowing any money at all? The state has an unprecedented $2
billion backlog of unpaid bills -- it seems irresponsible and
short-sighted to borrow even more."
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 Despite his reservations, Bomke said that he is open to working
with the governor to achieve some of the goals outlined in his State
of the State address.
"As with any major initiative, the governor's proposal has some
areas that are contentious. However, I look forward to working with
the governor and his administration and hopefully coming to a
compromise that will create jobs, stimulate economic development,
and benefit central and southern Illinois -- as well as Chicago."
[News release from
Sen. Larry Bomke]
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