Join us for viewing excerpts of “The Cartel” then hear from a variety of actively engaged panelists who understand the problems in the public education system. Hear their solutions.
Over the past several months of Patriots Posts, we’ve walked you through the important school reform needs in Illinois. We brought to your attention a piece of bi-partisan legislation that would be an excellent first step in the process. Then we kept you informed every step of the way, until the bill was finally signed into law by Governor Quinn. Now, learn the story behind how this landmark bill came about, and you’ll learn something about how Springfield works in the process.
Be an Ambassador: We must all remember, however, that this is only step 1 in a much longer and more difficult process. Stay tuned for news from our Education Reform Action Group. In late July we will have our first of many educational events designed to explain the problems and solutions from every perspective, and how we can get involved in the process to do our part to improve the system.
Why are Chicagoland gasoline prices so high? It's the question so many consumers ask when they compare what they're paying at the pump with the national average or to prices in neighboring states. When crude oil prices rocket, Chicago gas prices rocket more. And, sometimes, local prices rise when the price of oil is stable or falling.
On many days recently, Chicagoans have been paying the highest gasoline prices in the U.S. Chicago-area gas prices have been running about 50 cents per gallon more than the national average. Fifty cents doesn't sound like much until you consider a two-car family might buy 1,400 gallons of gas a year, which siphons some $700 more from their pockets than other Americans. … [Click here to read more.]
Be an Ambassador: This is an issue that your independent and even liberal friends are open to discussing, because we’re all feeling the pain at the pump. But they won’t be won by slogans or one-liners. Read this overview by The Heritage Foundation detailing three conservative policies that could make a big impact on gas prices and our economy.
Yeah, you’ve heard it all before, right? Springfield adjourns, patting themselves on the back for a job well done. Then the dust settles and we simple-minded constituents figure out what we’re going to have to foot the bill for now.
The latest is mind-boggling: in a state that is many billions in debt, and in an economy that is seeing more hard-working Americans jobless, the legislature is actually spending more than they bring in this year. In addition, they tried to game the numbers by pushing over a billion dollars in unpaid bills off to next year. Check it out.
Be an Ambassador: While revenues rise roughly with the rate of inflation, state spending on Medicaid and Education is rising at 3-4 times that rate. Even a beginner in math would realize that is unsustainable. To get involved and help ensure the Illinois we pass on to our children is better than the state we inherited from our parents, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and ask how you can get involved in the Illinois Budget Action Group.
You’ve heard all the slogans and monikers: “Tax-and-spend,” “Spend less - tax less,” “Borrow more - tax more - spend more,” and even “Cut - Cut - Cut.” Now Springfield has a new one: “Tax more - spend more - don't pay bills - force the problem on to the next generation.”
It’s a convenient strategy, since lawmakers are simply focused on their next elections. But in the midst of a recession that is threatening to double-dip, with unemployment still near record-highs, with energy prices skyrocketing, with families tightening their belts to merely survive in the face of higher taxes and fees…Illinois’ new budget spends even more than last year’s. You read that right. See here for more details.
The headline of this Sun-Times article says it all: “Unions win as Illinois lawmakers put off pension reform until fall.” See the article here.
The truth is that unions spearheaded a potent grassroots effort and pressured lawmakers into turning against the commonsense measure. Once again special interests have won the day in Springfield. And don’t believe that lawmakers will have more courage in the fall when their campaigns have begun and they’re looking for union support in their re-election bids…it is even less likely that they will support the measure then.
Be an Ambassador: Lawmakers have come home from the summer and will be attending and holding public events. Make sure you attend to voice your displeasure at their inability to enact this important fiscal reform, while encourage those who support the measure to push even harder for its passage.
From the Illinois Budget Action Group:
The Illinois legislature has recently "punted" on decisions regarding fiscal reform, workers compensation reform and public pension reform. The people of this great state apparently elected representatives who could ONLY agree on gambling as THE economic solution. So why is this the case?
A full-time staff member gives them recommendations at the meeting. Most of the votes are unanimous. Some board members don't even travel to all the meetings, instead listening in by phone. How do you get a gig like that? Wait until you see the $/meeting!
Update on Education Reform: A trailer bill is being negotiated right now that will modify the education reform bill that passed two weeks ago. The bill is being crafted to address several concerns the Chicago Teachers Union had with the original legislation, but there is some concern that this could weaken the reforms (which are simply the first step in improving education in Illinois).
Additionally, Pat Quinn has yet to sign the original legislation, and special interests are fighting hard to kill or weaken it. Learn more here.
There is serious concern that Illinois could become America’s Greece. Treasurer Dan Rutherford, the chief fiscal officer of the state, is sternly warning Illinois legislators and leaders that any additional borrowing could cause the state to go bankrupt.
He has provided leadership on the issue, explaining that the state is in a deep hole (debt from past borrowing has soared to $45 billion with a backlog of unpaid bills reaching $8 billion) and we cannot tax, borrow, and spend our way to prosperity. Click here to read more.