Hoffman Urges Governor to Sign Measure Protecting Transportation Funds for Downstate Communities

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is calling on Governor Bruce Rauner to sign legislation that ensures the hard-earned tax payer dollars of Southern Illinois workers are being spent on downstate road and construction projects.

“The new “lockbox” constitutional amendment requires that revenue coming from gasoline sales taxes must be used to fund transportation projects,” Hoffman said. “However, there are no protections in place to ensure that the funds raised in the Metro-East and downstate are spent on projects in our communities. This measure would fix that problem.”

Hoffman sponsored and helped pass House Bill 2453 to require funds earmarked for downstate transportation to be deposited directly into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund, rather than passing through the state’s General Revenue Fund, eliminating the need for an authorized transfer by the state Comptroller. The legislation works to streamline government, as well as protect funding for downstate transportation and construction projects.

“This measure would ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars of Metro-East and downstate residents are used to create jobs and improve infrastructure in our community,” Hoffman said. “I urge the governor to sign this proposal and make sure that our communities downstate are getting a fair deal.”