Peoria state senators are weighing in on Governor Quinn’s budget address.
Republican State Senator Darin LaHood says Quinn broke his promises on the largest tax increase in the state’s history.
“He also mentioned at the time when it passed that this would pay off our unpaid bills. Would bring down our unpaid debt and would put us on the path to fiscal solvency and we’d have a balanced budget. and here we are today, three and half years later and none of those promises have come to fruition.”
Lahood says the state still has a $7 billion dollar deficit and all of Illinois’ neighboring states are doing well financially. LaHood says the Governor's budget address also failed to identify how the state might help get the private sector flourishing. However Quinn did say the state is third in the nation for corporate expansion.
A brief statement from Democratic Senator Dave Koehler says lawmakers have difficult decisions to make. He says vital programs including education, and programs for seniors and others face major cuts. Koehler says they’ll have to work together to do what’s best for the people of Illinois.