‘Taxpayer Bargain’ budget puts taxpayers first

For two years, a political paralysis has had a grip on Illinois government. Illinois has become a worst-case scenario as the state’s fiscal problems grew. Budget proposals that continue to grow government, overspend and punish taxpayers are not the solution. They have never worked for the long-term fiscal health of our state, nor contributed to sustainable economic growth and job creation.

The “Taxpayer Bargain” budget plan we unveiled April 4 will end the failure of what passes as ‘business as usual’ in Springfield, because it will begin to put our fiscal house back in order. It took years of mismanagement to get into this crisis and it will take years to get out of it. We must begin now. We are approaching an insurmountable debt crisis, but there is hope if we act in a fiscally responsible manner from this point forward. Under the “Taxpayer Bargain” budget, for the first time in many years, Illinois will have a complete and constitutional budget, meaning spending is limited to the actual revenue collected. It requires reforms that make government more efficient and accountable, and creates guidelines to reduce the waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars. It does this with no tax increase and no new taxes.

The plan is very strong medicine for a very sick state. It forces the legislature to make tough decisions between needs and wants. The “Taxpayer Bargain” requires lower spending, with 10 percent across-the-board cuts at state agencies and departments. It simply asks for a dime of savings for every dollar spent. Recognizing that there are priorities, primary and secondary education is protected, as is Medicaid for the most vulnerable, and pension payment obligations. The plan includes a hard, enforceable cap on spending set to the revenue estimates from the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CoGFA). Part of the fiscal management under the “Taxpayer Bargain” includes borrowing $7 billion to begin to pay off old bills so we can eliminate $500 million in late payments and fees. Paying back the bonds (borrowed money) will be tied to the spending cap. If the legislature ignores the cap and returns to their overspending abuses of the past, they lose their salary for that fiscal year. On the other hand, any revenue collected that comes in above the estimate by CoGFA, will go directly to priorities: education – 25 percent; capital construction (roads and bridges) – 25 percent; pension debt payments – 10 percent; and paying off old bills – 40 percent.

A lot of input from both Republican and Democrat legislators was included in the “Taxpayer Bargain.” It also includes pending legislation sponsored by members of both parties. It is a compromise between political differences, but does not compromise or sellout common sense principles that Illinois government must live within its means just like Illinois families and businesses. If Illinois families can’t afford to overspend year after year then state government can’t afford it either. If Illinois families are tightening their belts to be responsible, we should expect no less from state government. The “Taxpayer Bargain” challenges the ‘business as usual’ narrative that a balanced budget can only be obtainable through tax hikes. We know that making these cuts will be difficult and painful, but in order to restore Illinois’ fiscal health for today and for future generations we must act. The “Taxpayer Bargain” is the only budget proposal without punishing tax increases.

We’ve been asked, “Why make this effort when your plan won’t have a chance of passing, especially in the House.” The answer is simple: We are obligated, as elected members of the General Assembly, to do what’s right, regardless of the political probabilities.

Are we going to repeat tax and spend failures of the past? Remember the results: People fled the state, prosperity and opportunity were diminished as jobs were lost and businesses closed or moved away. We created a website www.taxpayerbargain.com where we are continually adding details of the “Taxpayer Bargain.” We invite you to see the inner workings of this plan for yourself.

Contact your senator and representative and ask them to sign on as a sponsor to one of the 15 bills that are needed to deliver a no-tax-increase-balanced-budget to the governor.

This story was originally published April 24, 2017 at 11:24 AM with the headline "‘Taxpayer Bargain’ budget puts taxpayers first."