Tuesday was a very interesting day in the Capitol for Phil and I, as we talked to
legislators involved in the appropriations process. We understand that this week
members of the House of Representatives are building their own state budget.
The Democrat’s we talked to were very concerned about having the necessary
votes to continue the income tax increase. The Republicans were saying that we
should let the income tax increase expire and let everyone take the cuts
necessary to balance the budget.
The reality is that we only have 24 days until a budget will be passed. If the
income tax increase expires we will be looking at about a $2 billion cut for Fiscal
Year 2015 and about a $5 billion cut to the budget in Fiscal Year 2016.
You must ask your legislators to support the continuation of the state’s income
tax increase and you must do that this week.
Here is a new report from the Fiscal Policy Project at Voices for Illinois Children.
The report provides very useful details about the two budgets facing Illinois —
the disastrous cuts budget that would be necessitated if the income tax rolls
back to 3.75%, and the acceptable budget that will result when we win the effort
to continue the 5% income tax rate:
Join me and members of the Care Campaign to push for the extension of the
income tax and a $1.00 per increase for Direct Support Professionals in the
Capitol on May 20 – 22. Let me know if I can count on you.
Today is Latino Unity Day in the Capitol. Always an enjoyable event which ends
with a celebration at the Governor’s Mansion!
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org
