Hoffman Responds to Pritzker’s State of the State, Urges Good Stewardship of State Finances

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, issued the following statement Wednesday after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual State of the State and Budget Address:

“As we begin the budget, it’s critical that we continue the positive momentum we have created through responsible management in recent years. We’ve secured multiple credit rating upgrades, have fully eliminated a once multi-billion-dollar bill backlog and invested over a billion dollars in a rainy-day fund to prepare us for future challenges.

“This increased financial flexibility is enabling us to not only meet our commitments to pensions and other promises, it’s also allowing us to better invest in our schools, infrastructure and public safety. I hear every day from local residents on the challenges facing their lives, and it’s my priority to make sure the budget we craft reflects our local concerns.

“We must continue to be good stewards with our state finances, and I look forward to productive conversations with stakeholders and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as we develop a spending plan for the year ahead.”