Scherer Passes Legislation to Protect Taxpayers, Increase Transparency

DECATUR, Ill. – As leaders consider revenue-raising measures to solve Illinois’ now twenty-month-long budget crisis, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, has passed legislation this week to protect taxpayers and increase transparency by requiring a fiscal impact statement for every executive order.

“Our state is in a dire financial situation, and we need to be cutting unnecessary spending of taxpayer dollars, not asking working families to pay more,” said Scherer.  “This legislation helps hold state government accountable by ensuring that lawmakers and the public know how much executive orders cost.”

House Bill 2379 requires the filing and publication of a fiscal impact statement estimating the cost to taxpayers of every executive order. Scherer is stressing the importance of spending taxpayer dollars efficiently, particularly in light of recent actions such as the hiring of former Comptroller Leslie Munger for a $135,000-a-year deputy governor position.

“Families who are struggling to make ends meet deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent,” said Scherer. “My goal with this legislation is to provide transparent fiscal data to protect hardworking families and ensure that the state lives within its means.”

For more information, please contact Scherer’s constituent service office at 217-877-9636 or by email at StateRepSue@gmail.com. Scherer represents the 96^th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.