Rep. Wait: Critical Agriculture Funding Released
Belvidere, IL… At a press conference today at the Boone County Extension Office, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) said he is pleased the Governor has finally agreed to release critical state funds for the University of Illinois Extension Service and Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). Being one of the few legislators that is also a farmer, Representative Wait brought this issue to a joint House/Senate Agriculture Hearing where the devastating effect of cutting this program was heard.
Wait to Host Office Hours in Communities Across the District
Belvidere, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) announced his community office hours schedule for 2008. Community office hours provide a convenient opportunity for residents to ask questions, share their concerns, and receive assistance with state government services.
Representative Wait Passes Two Bills in House
Springfield, IL… On his 64th birthday Tuesday, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) passed two key bills through the Illinois House of Representatives.
“This was quite the birthday present,” said Wait. “When the first bill passed unanimously, I knew it was going to be a good day. Passage of the second measure made the day complete.”
Wait Opposes Democrat Tax Hike
Springfield, IL… Illinois House Democrats today called a vote on legislation that would increase the state income tax by $3 billion without providing any property tax relief for Illinois homeowners.
State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) strongly opposed the Democrats’ tax hike and helped defeat the measure. Wait argued that this tax hike would not help Illinoisans paying ever-increasing property taxes and would drive jobs out of the state.
Representatives Wait and Winters Call For Senior Property Tax Relief
Rockford, IL… At a press conference held at the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NIAAA) in Rockford, State Representatives Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) and Dave Winters (R-Shirland) called for property tax relief for seniors in Illinois. Wait and Winters are urging their fellow legislators to help reduce the burden of property taxes on senior households by expanding the property tax freeze and enact aid for long-time homeowners.
House Republicans Introduce Life-Saving Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Springfield, IL…A group of House Republican lawmakers, including State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere), are calling for new protections to safeguard victims of domestic violence following the murder in Elmhurst of Cindy Bischof. House Republicans are pushing for global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking of offenders who violate orders of protection.
“Last month, Cindy Bischof was murdered in a parking lot outside her workplace by a man who had been stalking her for nearly a year. Cindy did what she could to protect herself under the law. She got an order of protection against her stalker, and she moved her residence several times during the course of the year – unfortunately, the man who killed her ignored the order of protection on several occasions and ultimately claimed her life. It is clear more needs to be done to protect stalking victims and victims of domestic violence.”
Rep. Wait Signs Letter Sent to Governor Concerning SWCD Expenses
Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R, Belvidere) signed a letter today addressed to Governor Rod Blagojevich concerning the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) expenses in the FY08 budget. Of the $7.4 million appropriated to the SWCD, Governor Blagojevich released $1.7 million. The letter calls for the immediate release of the extra $5.75 million that was included in the budget.
“$1.7 million is only enough to operate for the next two months,” stated Wait. “The lack of funds for the SWCD will have a negative effect on many areas of our state. Leaving out such a large amount of money will only hurt us in the long run,” he added.
House Republicans Host Rockford Economic Roundtable
Rockford, IL… Illinois House Republicans hosted an economic development roundtable in Rockford today to discuss their economic stimulus package and the need for a new capital jobs program. The legislators met with local business and labor leaders during the roundtable at Dial Machine, where they discussed efforts to create new jobs and revive the local economy.
Illinois desperately needs a new capital improvement program to create jobs and rebuild Illinois’ infrastructure. That was the message delivered by House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and State Representatives Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) and David Winters (R-Shirland). They support a statewide capital program of at least $10 billion that could create as many as 725,000 new Illinois jobs.
Rep. Wait: Governor’s Message Disguises Taxes on Businesses
Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) said the Democrats must stop proposing measures which hurt Illinois businesses and expand Illinois government. His comments came in response to Governor Blagojevich’s combined State of the State and budget address today which disguised new taxes and fees on Illinois manufactures and businesses primarily to fund new state programs.
Rep. Wait Announces Fast Growth Grant for Prairie Hill School District
Belvidere, IL…To address the needs of a growing student enrollment, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) announced Prairie Hill School District 133 will receive a Fast Growth Grant awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education. The grant, which totals more than $62,000, will assist with the challenges the school faces with a rapidly increasing student population.