 Diversion
of road dollars opposedAfter learning of the
governor's plan to divert state road construction dollars, Senate
Republican Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, and House Republican
Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, sent a joint letter to the governor,
objecting to the plan. Republican lawmakers opposed the potential
sweep, saying that it is counterproductive to use the Road Fund or
motor fuel taxes as a way to supplement general state spending.
The governor's office was reported to have told local government
officials that the state would release $100 million of the $500
million local road component of the capital bill if they agreed to
accept the proposed sweeps. Republicans explained that local units
of government receive more than half of motor fuel tax revenues
automatically through a formula distribution, so releasing capital
funds only to divert money from that fund would seemingly negate the
benefits of the capital bill funding.
Bomke noted that Republicans voted against legislation (Senate
Bill 3660) that gave the governor the authority to transfer
money from dedicated state funds to pay for day-to-day operations.
Republicans have consistently opposed raiding the road funds for
other purposes, and noted that when crafting the capital bill it was
understood that there would be no diversions from the road funding.
As such, any sweep of the Road Fund or the Motor Fuel Tax Fund would
be a violation of that agreement.
Lottery management change pending
In other news, late last week, Camelot Group and Northstar
Lottery Group were selected as the two finalists in the bid to take
over management and marketing of the state's lottery program. As a
final step in the application process, on Wednesday the companies
attended a public hearing where they each made a final presentation
before the governor. Quinn is expected to use information from the
hearing, along with recommendations from the Illinois Lottery
evaluation committee that analyzed the initial lottery contract
bids, to decide which company will receive the contract.
The lottery management selection and bid process has come under
fire by taxpayer watchdog organizations, who criticized the
administration's refusal to release information on the companies
that bid for the contract or to identify committee members who
reviewed the bids. The shroud of secrecy surrounding the process has
sparked criticism and raised concerns of potential backroom deals
and impropriety.
There has also been scrutiny of Northstar, which is composed of
three vendors that already hold contracts with the Illinois Lottery.
These are Gtech, which has a contract for lottery machines;
Scientific Games, which supplies instant tickets; and Energy BBDO,
which handles advertising. Critics question whether it's practical
to allow Northstar to essentially supervise itself. Camelot Group is
the longtime manager of the United Kingdom National Lottery.
Illinois would be the first state to completely relinquish the
management and marketing of its lottery, though the state still owns
and maintains oversight of the program. Lawmakers OK'd the move to a
private management firm, hoping that a new perspective will help
stimulate revenues and draw in new players. Quinn is scheduled to
announce the contract winner on Sept. 15.
[to top of second column]
 |
 Energy Star rebates start Sept. 24
Residents looking to reduce energy consumption -- and save money
-- have another opportunity to take advantage of discounts on Energy
Star-qualified appliances. This week, approximately $3 million was
earmarked for the
Energy Star Appliance Rebate Program. The new rebate opportunity
begins on Sept. 24 and will be available until the financing runs
out.
Bomke said the initial Energy Star rebate program was an enormous
success, providing a much-needed boost in sales for the business
community and making efficient, money-saving appliances more
affordable for consumers. The program offers a 15 percent instant
rebate, up to $250 per appliance, on Energy Star-qualified
dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators and washing machines purchased
at participating stores.
The initial program was so successful that funding this time is
expected to run out quickly. As a result, consumers are encouraged
to take advantage of the rebate when the program begins on Sept. 24
at 8 a.m. Though most rebates will be given out in the store,
consumers with disabilities will be able to take advantage of the
rebate by phone.
Internet service to expand
The state is also seeking to boost high-tech infrastructure, with
plans announced to invest $100 million to construct more than 1,000
miles of high-speed Internet that will benefit 55 Illinois counties.
The program is funded by state and federal grant dollars, as well
as money from private organizations. The project is expected to
create more than 650 jobs and establish infrastructure to benefit
more than 285,000 businesses and almost 4 million Illinois
households.
By expanding fiber-optic broadband networks, the project is
expected to bridge a digital divide felt more acutely in rural
communities. In fact, according to the governor's office, a reported
47 of the 55 counties expected to benefit from the expanded service
are underserved, with a broadband subscription rate of less than 40
percent. Offering high-speed Internet to these communities is
anticipated to stimulate employment, help advance education
initiatives and significantly benefit health care organizations and
law enforcement.
Governor appoints acting corrections director
Also this week, Gov. Pat Quinn announced the appointment of
Gladyse Taylor to the position of acting director of the Illinois
Department of Corrections. Taylor had been serving as acting
assistant director of DOC, but will now assume the role of acting
director following the recent resignation of Michael Randle, the
former director.
Taylor has held other positions at DOC, and prior to becoming the
Department of Corrections' acting assistant director she served as
deputy director of the governor's Office of Management and Budget.
She replaces Randle, who stepped down after months of criticism
regarding his role in the failed MGT Push early prisoner release
program.
[Text from file sent on behalf of
Sen.
Larry Bomke by Illinois
Senate Republican staff] |
