Wait, House Colleagues Host Veto Victims

October 2, 2007

Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) and his fellow Assemblymen hosted victims of Governor Blagojevich’s latest round of funding cuts.  The rare Committee of the Whole in the House of Representatives offered representatives the chance to delve further into the personal stories of those impacted by the governor’s budget vetoes.

“Today’s panelists confirmed what we’ve known all along – there was no rhyme or reason to the governor’s budget cuts other than politics,” Wait said.  “We can certainly tighten our belts a little more, but to cut funding for an emergency room so you can create a massive socialized medicine program doesn’t make sense.”

The nearly six hour hearing gave members of the Illinois House of Representatives the chance to explore the impact of the governor’s budget vetoes on people and organizations throughout the state.  Representatives heard testimony from veterans’ advocacy groups, anti-crime organizations, healthcare experts, school officials, and mental health professionals, among others.

Starting Tuesday, the House of Representatives will consider Blagojevich’s vetoes and vote to either override or sustain them.  Emil Jones (D-Chicago), the President of the Illinois Senate, also in session this week, has previously indicated that he will not even allow members of his chamber to debate the governor’s vetoes, thereby automatically endorsing the governor’s funding reductions.

For more information or assistance, residents may contact Representative Wait by visiting his office at 411 S. State St. in Belvidere or by calling (815) 547-7771.