Letter: Time for Courage in Springfield
Via the State Journal-Register
Gridlock in Springfield is nothing new to those who follow Illinois politics. Still, in a time of austerity and uncertainty, the current inaction and lack of resolution has been frustrating to watch.
We all understand times are tough. Resources are limited, and it’s difficult to reach agreement on spending priorities. Even so, we need leaders on both sides of the aisle to come together to achieve an important goal: passing a sensible state budget.
This month’s crisis in Springfield resulted from an inability to find consensus in key problem areas: pension reform, workers’ compensation benefits, property taxes and implementation of the governor’s turnaround agenda. Debates over controversial issues will always persist, but the gravity of those issues shouldn’t keep us from passing an operating budget on a reasonable timeline. If a budget is not agreed upon by July 1, the state will be officially operating with no budget or funding directive, resulting in a potential inability to legally pay state employees.
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