Wait Supports Budget’s Education Funding Increase

August 9, 2007

Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) voted to support a spending plan that has taken more than two months of overtime session to craft.  The budget increases education spending, provides additional funds to hospitals and healthcare, and fully funds Illinois’ labor contracts and pension systems.  An affirmative vote in the Senate and Blagojevich’s signature will avert a state government shutdown.

“Its time for the people of Illinois to have a budget,” Wait said.  “This isn’t a perfect budget and is certainly not the budget I would have written, but it’s the best we can get with the failed leadership from Democrats in the legislature and the governor’s mansion.”

The $30.2 billion in revenue used to develop the plan does not include an increase in the state’s income or sales taxes and rejects Blagojevich’s massive gross receipts tax proposal.  The $800 million in new funds comes from natural revenue growth.

“My Republican colleagues and I were able to hold the line on the Democrats’ tax increase proposals,” Wait said.  “We will increase education funding, Medicaid funding, and fully fund our pensions without a tax increase.  Our students and teachers, healthcare facilities, retirees, and residents will be taken care of without having to pay more taxes.”

Wait, a former educator, highlighted the $309 million increase in the education foundation level – one of the largest increases in Illinois history.  Overall, education will receive a $600 million increase.  Additionally, Illinois’ colleges and universities will see an increase of almost $60 million while Medicaid and state pensions will receive increases of $400 million and $550 million, respectively.

“The budget meets many of Illinois’ needs, but the COLA for legislators is inappropriate while we still have crumbling schools and roads and bridges in need of repair,” Wait said.  “I will be donating my COLA to charities in my district and I’m ready to work to pass a capital plan this month for our schools and transportation needs,” Wait said.