League of Women Voters of the Homewood-Flossmoor Area
Use less cautious forecast to guide Illinois budget: Monday, May 9, 2011 : NWI Times
The powers in Springfield are on the verge of making disastrous cuts to vital services in Illinois: schools, universities, children, working people, seniors, people with disabilities. Cuts such as this must not be made unless strictly necessary.
Everyone understands the state's financial crisis calls for reforms and spending restraint.
But we also must insist that these measures be balanced and calm. It is a big mistake to cut just for its own sake when the consequences of the cuts will be severe and long-lasting.
The House has estimated next year's revenue to be more than $1 billion less than the Senate's estimate. The Senate's estimate comes from a nonpartisan forecasting agency that has an excellent track record. The House's estimate would necessitate more than $1 billion in unnecessary and harmful cuts. The Senate's forecast is responsible and should be used.
There are other solid ideas for arranging the state's revenue to focus it to avoid damaging cuts. None of this is a tax increase. The General Assembly must agree to use the Senate revenue estimate and adopt all of the reasonable ideas available to avoid unnecessary cuts.
— Erin Roeper, president, League of Women Voters of Homewood-Flossmoor Area
---
* For website click headline or go to: http://hfarea.il.lwvnet.org/index.html
No comments:
Post a Comment