By State Sens. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods)
For two years, a political paralysis has had a grip on Illinois government. For two years, we have operated the state without a regular budget – the longest in American history. Unfortunately, even though we don’t have a budget, the spending spree continues unabated. With no controls, spending is out-of-control. The state is on pace to spend 38 billion in the current fiscal year when we expect to collect $32 billion in revenue.
The budget proposals offered over the last two years have either been wildly out of balance or raised taxes first while doing little to restrain the growth of government. Tax and spend solutions have never worked for the long-term fiscal health of our state, nor contributed to sustainable economic growth and job creation.
The “Taxpayer Bargain” budget plan we unveiled April 4 will end the failure of what passes as ‘business as usual’ in Springfield, because it will begin to put our fiscal house back in order. It took years of mismanagement to get into this crisis and it will take years to get out of it. We must begin now. We are approaching an insurmountable debt crisis, but there is hope if we act in a fiscally responsible manner from this point forward. Under the “Taxpayer Bargain” budget, for the first time in many years, Illinois will have a complete and constitutional budget, meaning spending is limited to the actual revenue collected. It requires reforms that make government more efficient and accountable, and creates guidelines to reduce the waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars. It does this with no tax increase and no new taxes.
The plan is very strong medicine for a very sick state. It forces the Legislature to make tough decisions between needs and wants. The “Taxpayer Bargain” requires lower spending, with 10% across-the-board cuts at state agencies and departments. It simply asks for a dime of savings for every dollar spent. Recognizing that there are priorities, primary and secondary education is protected, as is Medicaid for the most vulnerable, and pension payment obligations. The plan includes a hard, enforceable cap on spending. Part of the fiscal management under the “Taxpayer Bargain” includes borrowing $7 billion to begin to pay off old bills so we can eliminate $500 million in late payments and fees. Paying back the bonds (borrowed money) will be tied to the spending cap. If the Legislature ignores the cap and returns to their overspending abuses of the past, they lose their salary for that fiscal year. On the other hand, any revenue collected that comes in above the cap, will go directly to priorities: Education – 25%; Capital construction (roads and bridges) – 25%; Pension debt payments – 10% and Paying off old bills – 40%.
A lot of input from both Republican and Democrat legislators was included in the “Taxpayer Bargain.” It also includes pending legislation sponsored by members of both parties. It is a compromise between political differences, but does not compromise or sellout common sense principles that Illinois government must live within its means just like Illinois families and businesses. If Illinois families can’t afford to overspend year after year then state government can’t afford it either. We know that making these cuts will be difficult and painful, but in order to restore Illinois’ fiscal health for today and for future generations we must act. The “Taxpayer Bargain” is the only budget proposal without punishing tax increases.
We’ve been asked, “Why make this effort when your plan won’t have a chance of passing, especially in the House.” The answer is simple: We are obligated, as elected members of the General Assembly, to do what’s right, regardless of the political probabilities.
Remember the results the last time taxes were raised without reforms: People fled the state, prosperity and opportunity were diminished as jobs were lost and businesses closed or moved away. There is another way. Intrigued? We created a website www.taxpayerbargain.com where we are continually adding details of the “Taxpayer Bargain.” Our challenge is to save our state. The “Taxpayer Bargain” is how to do it without asking for one more dime from you. Contact your senator and representative and ask them to sign on as a sponsor to one of the 15 bills that are needed to deliver a no-tax-increase-balanced-budget to the governor.
Taxpayer Bargain Budget Plan: Balanced, Spending restraint, Taxpayer respect
Balanced Budget – • Prioritizes spending – • Recognizing limited resources – acknowledging challenging cuts • There are cuts and savings through government reorganization – • Protects elementary and secondary education – maintains 100% of General State Aid and mandated categoricals • Protects Medicaid spending for the most vulnerable
• Maintains public pension payment obligations
Cuts – • 10% across-the-board at state agencies and departments – Exempts primary and secondary education, Medicaid for the most vulnerable and pension payments. Simply asking for a dime of savings for every dollar spent. • Asking each university to reduce spending by 5% • Reduce discount rate to retailers for Sales Tax collection – (from 1.75% to 1%) Requires Fiscal Responsibility – • No tax increase • No new taxes • Executive Branch must manage/Contains some of the Governor’s own ideas and Republican Leader Sen. Christine Radogno’s Senate Bill 2063 – “Unbalanced Budget Response Act” • Governor must negotiate changes to state employee group health care and AFSCME contract wages • Imposes real spending cap, which is tied to legislative salaries. If the General Assembly violates the spending cap they lose their pay for that fiscal year. • Borrows $7 billion to pay off past due bills. Could realize savings of $500 million in late charges. • Borrowing must include a spending cap set at the fiscal year revenue level projected by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Any revenue increase over this amount will be distributed as follows: 25% to education 25% for roads & bridges, 10% towards pension debt and 40% to payoff the backlog of unpaid bills.
Modernizes Illinois’ Public Pension Systems – • Reforms legislator pensions before reforming pensions for other state employees. • Ends public pensions for all new legislators going forward. • Keeps promises to current retirees and employees, and protect taxpayers going forward.
• Includes President John Cullerton’s Cost and Consideration plan. • Moves new state employees to a modern, 401k-style pension plan.
• Public pension cost shift to schools, universities and local governments in exchange for financial relief from unfunded state mandates. • K-12 Pension Cost Shift – 5 year phase-in ($200 million/year – $1 billion after 5 years)
• University Pension Cost Shift – Immediate (Offset by procurement reform and state mandate relief) • Refinancing current pension bonds – interest savings of $800 million goes to paying off old bills.
Medicaid Reforms – • Smart Card Pilot Program • Prosecution of Vendor Fraud/3rd party vendor verification • Drug Screening • Discontinue taxpayer support for those with a criminal warrant • LINK Card photo • Upgrade Medicaid Redetermination Project – Check recipient status every 3 months instead of currently 6 months • Managed Care Changes Reforming How Illinois Does Business – • Reduce the Local Government Distributive Fund (money to local governments) by about 4% of their total budget in exchange for financial relief from unfunded state mandates, government consolidation and constitutional amendment to allow “home rule” for smaller communities • Making sense of rules for purchasing goods and services – changing procurement • Overtime rule changes – Increased hiring in Corrections to reduce overtime costs • Reorganizing state government agencies – Historic Preservation into Natural Resources
Creating a Stable, Predictable Environment to Attract Job Creators to Illinois – • Workers’ Compensation Reforms – As currently being negotiated • New funding formula for schools • Permanent Property Tax Freeze on Education only and shift education funding from the property tax to state government. • Sunshine provision requiring copy of property tax bill to mortgagee • Local government mandate relief
* For more information go to www.taxpayerbargain.com.
