Manley Responds to Governor’s Budget Address, Calls on Gov. Rauner to Propose Balanced Budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, issued the following statement Wednesday after the governor’s annual state budget address:

“The budget plan that the governor brought forth to the General Assembly today is based on phony accounting, claiming phantom savings from nonexistent pension reform.  Rather than truly addressing this issue, Gov. Rauner’s plan is to shift pension obligations from the state to local school districts.  While this will lower the state’s expenses, it will cause property taxes to skyrocket, crushing homeowners that are already struggling to pay their rising property tax bills.  The governor has stated many times that he wants to provide property tax relief to Illinoisans, but his proposal will do just the opposite.  His plans are unrealistic, billions of dollars out of balance, and will only drive our state further into debt.

“Historically, each governor before Gov. Rauner, has been able to come together with the General Assembly to find common ground to get things done for the people of Illinois.  This governor continually says he wants compromise, but has refused every year to work with members of the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget, and shockingly throughout his address today he repeatedly took credit for accomplishments that were not his, like the education funding bill that he vetoed and the General Assembly had to override. Last year, a bipartisan group of legislators came together to override Gov Rauner’s destructive budget veto, thereby putting the people of Illinois first and ending the state budget impasse, when the governor seemingly would have rather seen our state plummet into junk bond status.

“During this administration, the General Assembly has only been able to make progress when they have come together and worked without the governor, doing his job for him, all while he has attempted to block progress.  Continually, he has been unwilling to negotiate and be a part of the process, vetoing important measures rather than compromising and collaboratively looking for solutions.  It is time for Gov. Rauner to accept that he is in fact, in charge, and it is his responsibility to draft a responsible balanced budget plan.  The governor has an obligation to lead our state, and I urge him to step up and be the spearhead that Illinois needs.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Manley’s constituent service office by calling 815-725-2741 or by emailing RepManley@gmail.com.