Scherer Reacts to Governor’s Budget Address

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to Governor Rauner’s annual budget address, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, issued the following statement.

“Throughout the governor’s time in office, progress has only been made when the General Assembly agreed to work together without him. And this year there is too much at stake for Rauner to continue playing political games.

“I do hope the governor is sincere this year. But his history in refusing to work in good faith on a balanced budget and holding certain pieces of our state’s programs and social service providers hostage for 700 days has caused a lot problems. Our state debt has risen to over $16 billion dollars.”

“At least seven billion dollars in Medicaid claims and costs can’t be accounted for and our state will have to pay an extra one billion dollars in interest for late payments. That billion dollars could have gone to our schools, healthcare system and or veterans.”

“To make sure the governor isn’t playing games we will review this budget proposal line by line, to ensure it’s truly balanced. I’m ready to work cooperatively with legislative Republicans to provide residents with lifesaving health care, investment in our schools and protection for our elderly.”