|
Meanwhile, rank and file senators negotiated electric rate relief,
discussed the state of education in Illinois and urged a block to
the administration's proposal to use various tax increases to
supplement a potential sale of the lottery, according to state Sen.
Larry Bomke, R-Springfield. Negotiations continued during the week
on a potential deal with the state's utility companies that would
provide electric bill relief to Illinois customers of Ameren and
Commonwealth Edison.
Details of the proposal were still in flux, but it could provide
about $1 billion in refunds or credits to consumers over three to
four years. Although many legislators had preferred a freeze in
electric rates, that plan was blocked by Senate President Emil
Jones, D-Chicago, and lawmakers, instead, were expected to have to
settle for a scaled-back rate relief package.
While the Senate met only briefly over the week in both regular
and special session, the bulk of the work done was through hearings
on the state of education in Illinois, Bomke said.
Scheduled every day, the hearings provided a venue for senators
to hear testimony from public school teachers, principals and school
board members on what their needs are and how they feel those needs
can be addressed. Hearings also commenced on Illinois' school
funding foundation level, poverty grants, special education funding,
and ensuring achievement and accountability, among other topics. The
information gained through the hearings will be considered in the
final budget plan.
[to top of second column] |
 In other news, Senate Republicans warned taxpayers of the
governor's plan to push for hundreds of millions of dollars in tax
increases on Illinois businesses and families in an attempt to
salvage his failed proposal to sell or lease the Illinois Lottery.
During a weekend budget meeting, senators received a list of
proposed "corporate loophole closures" the governor is considering
as a source of revenue to replace the more than $600 million in
education funding that would be lost if he resurrects his lottery
plan. The proposal had already been rejected by the House of
Representatives earlier this month by a vote of 78-6.
The latest list contains a $27 million hit to Illinois farmers by
taxing feed, seed and fertilizer; taxes out-of-state fuel purchases
by an estimated $45 million; and imposes $65 million in taxes on
canned software, among many other proposals, totaling nearly $1
billion.
Senators pushed for a vote on the proposals in order to force
them off the budget negotiation table.
[Text from news release sent on
behalf of
Sen.
Larry Bomke by Illinois
Senate Republican staff] |
