Rep. Wait Calls for Release of Rockford Transit Funding

Belvidere, IL… With the threat of Rockford Mass Transit District cut backs, including cutting hundreds of local jobs, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) is calling on Governor Rod Blagojevich to release back payments to the RMTD.  The state is said to be over $4 million behind on their payments.  If the money is not released, the RMTD will experience lay-offs and cut backs since state funding accounts for over half of the district’s budget.

“We see this time and time again with the Democrat log jam in Springfield.  The state promises money, and then does not deliver,” said Wait.  “The bottom line is – we need to keep people working and keep taking people to work.”

This is not the first time the state has withheld funding due to the budget crisis and local jobs were threatened.  Just this past March, over $2 million was withheld from local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, as well as the University of Illinois Extension offices.  Representative Wait fought diligently down in Springfield for the release of that money, and just weeks later, the funding was released, saving hundreds of local jobs.  Representative Wait is hoping for similar results this time around.

“In times like these, we cannot afford to cut more jobs.  It is our duty as elected officials to fight poor fiscal management such as this and work hard for the betterment of our constituencies.  I for one will not stand to see another local job lost just because the Democrats can not work together to pass a balanced budget or find ways to fund a budget,” stated Wait.

Representative Wait goes back down to Springfield tomorrow for veto session.  He is hoping to work with other legislators during this time to urge Governor Blagojevich to release the funding to the RMTD.