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Brady
votes for operating budget to keep state running
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[August 10, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Bill Brady,
R-Bloomington, says he voted for a fiscal 2008 spending plan late in
the evening on Thursday because it will fund the state's obligations
without raising taxes or borrowing even more money.
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 The 44th District senator
says the budget will keep Illinois state government running by
relying on the state's natural revenue growth. It does not require
new taxes, selling the Illinois Lottery or pension bonding."We
defeated the governor's gross receipts tax -- the single largest tax
increase ever introduced in any state. We also defeated a payroll
tax, which, like the gross receipts tax, would have driven even more
jobs out of this state. There is a lot of good in those defeats,"
Brady said.
"But let's be honest. This budget is not perfect. This budget
only works if Governor Blagojevich manages his spending. We all know
that, and it is incumbent upon us to work with the administration to
make sure they do so," he continued. "Let me also speak to what the
media will refer to as pork projects and what we will refer to as
member initiatives. The state of Illinois cannot afford the pork
projects, or the member initiatives, in this budget. I am asking the
governor to amendatorily veto those out of this budget."
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 The $27.9 billion budget increases state spending by more than
$2.2 billion, which Brady says would boost education funding by $610
million, including a $309 million increase in the amount the state
spends per student -- up $400, to $5,734 per student. It also has an
additional $185 million to fully fund mandated categorical programs.
Higher education will receive a total increase of $68 million.
The new budget will also meet the state's pension obligations,
provide an extra $470 million for Medicaid providers and allocate
$35 million for cost of living adjustments for community providers
who serve individuals with developmental disabilities and
individuals in alcohol and substance-abuse treatment programs.
The 44th District senator noted that discussions still continue
about a capital spending plan that would pay for construction of
roads, bridges, schools and other projects.
Brady noted that the budget agreement now returns to the House of
Representatives for concurrence with changes made to the bill. The
legislation must also be approved by the governor.
[Text from file sent on behalf of
Sen.
Bill Brady by Illinois
Senate Republican staff]
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