Tag: Representative Pritchard

Legislative Initiatives Become Law

Jul. 16 no comments

Representative Pritchard reviews some of the legislation that passed the General Assembly this spring that may be of interest to you. Further details about each new law can be found at the legislative website www.ilga.gov under the bill number. Following are new laws pertaining to Agriculture, Firefighters, Funeral Directors, Municipalities, Professional Counseling and Real Estate.

Agriculture
· C-FAR Reorganization – HB4447 provides that appropriations, grants and donations for food and agricultural research will be kept in a special fund at the Department of Agriculture. The Council for Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) will make awards to public and non-public institutions of higher education and issue an annual report on how those funds were used.
· Slow Moving Vehicle Emblems – The triangular slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems may only be displayed on farm tractors, implements of husbandry, special mobile equipment, and animal drawn vehicles. HB4598 increases the fine for improperly displaying the SMV emblem to $75 for the first offense.
· Nuisance Permits – HB5115 allows the Department of Natural Resources to issue nuisance permits for wildlife that damage cattle pastures.
· Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) – HB5539 increases fertilizer fees, creates the NREC, and directs it to use the fees to establish and implement nutrient research, education and water quality projects.
· National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) – HB5642 establishes a fee for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) so the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency can meet current requirements under the federal Clean Water Act.
· Convention Center Rates (HB5893) – Encourages the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help negotiate lower rates for farmers’ markets when they are held indoors rather than the usual outdoor location due to bad weather conditions.
· Livestock Trailers – SB2579 excludes trailers hauling livestock from road regulations regarding the maximum length of trailers.

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NIU Survey Records Citizen Attitudes

May. 03 no comments

If elected officials aren’t listening to voters, the Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies provides an annual survey of citizen opinions on a number of issues. Now in its 28th year, the Illinois Policy Survey seeks to provide systematic and representative information on public attitudes, values and expectations.

The latest survey finds citizens most concerned about state spending followed by unemployment and corruption in government. “Satisfaction with the way things are going” continued the downward trend since 2001 and sharp drop in 2008.

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Time is of Essence in College

Feb. 20 no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

As college tuition continues to climb locally and nationally, new data has revealed that time, not the price of higher education, may be the main deterrent to college completion. According to a 2009 Public Agenda study, less than a quarter of U.S. college students attend full time at residential schools and, instead commute to campus, balancing jobs, school and often family demands.

With these changes, it is no wonder why it takes longer for students to graduate. It is also no wonder that, as time goes on, life and the additional money spent on college causes an increase in dropout rates. Another study by the National Center for Education Statistics reports that less than half of U.S. college students will graduate after 6 years.

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Representative Pritchard’s Holiday Open House

Dec. 17 no comments

Join Representative Bob Pritchard and his building neighbors for a Holiday Open House this Monday, December 19th. Enjoy holiday refreshments and meet their staff as they say thank you for a wonderful year and the opportunity to serve you.

The Holiday Open House will take place at Representative Pritchard’s office at 2600 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore from 4pm – 6pm Monday. For more information please call 815 748-3494.

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House Passes Budget in Historic Fashion

May. 18 no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

It was ironic last week to hear the Speaker of the House, who has done much to consolidate power in our state, congratulate the chamber for taking control of the budgeting process this year.  Not since political leaders wrestled control of the budgeting process in 1991 have representatives worked in a bipartisan fashion going line by line to write the budget.

The House passed nearly 10 budget bills for various areas of government instead of the usual one omnibus bill.  Citizens can now see the detailed budget weeks before it will be finalized instead of hours before it is called for a vote.  Finally, it’s noteworthy that the budget discussions involved legislative members of all five appropriation committees instead of just the four party leaders and governor.

The House budget is indeed historic but now it must be reconciled with the Senate version which passed in usual partisan fashion and garner the signature of the governor who has been basically cut out of the process.

For years, I have talked of the need for fiscal discipline—a balanced budget—in order to climb out of our fiscal hole.  Last week we took a dramatic first step by not only authorizing less spending than revenue but also less spending than last year.

Certainly groups that received less money will object over the next few days but let’s look at the priorities established by the committees in the budget.

Human Services Takes Biggest Cuts

Human services comprise 50 percent of the budget so was given the biggest challenge to meet the spending limit.  The committee had to reduce the general revenue spending by $358 million and $700 million in other funds—mostly federal stimulus funding– that will not be renewed next year.  Nevertheless, the committee prioritized spending and kept many of the programs that the governor had proposed eliminating and awarded $12.1 billion from general revenue and $22.7 billion from all funds.

Hospital rates for Medicaid patients were not reduced but the payment cycle was increased to nearly two months.  Home services were funded at last year’s levels as were prevention and treatment programs for alcohol and substance abuse.  Priorities for funding were given to community based services over state run facilities, and funding for hospice programs were actually increased.

Like other committees, the Human Services Committee made sharp reductions to state department operations and staffing.  The legislators directed funding to consumer services rather than employee payrolls.

House Approves First Education Reduction in Years

For at least the last decade, governors have directed more funding for K-12 education each year.  In FY2012, the foundation level per student will stay the same but funding for other K-12 programs will be cut $168 million and higher education will see a $34 million reduction.

More funding will be available to pay for busing, and mandated categorical programs (special education) were funded at levels to capture all the available federal matching funds.  Make no mistake about it; I was not pleased with the reductions especially to early childhood education, new textbooks, various career courses, and programs to improve student learning and turn around poor performing schools.

Higher education reductions were focused on public universities (1.2 percent) and monetary assistance grants to students attending for-profit private colleges.  The committee felt that funding for public universities would have to be cut even more to continue giving funding to for-profit private colleges.

Corrections Consumes Public Safety Budget

While the public safety budget passed by the House holds most lines at FY11 levels, employee compensation was reduced by 10 percent across the board.  HB 2165 holds most lines for the Department of Corrections at FY11 levels, but does give slight increases for repairs, maintenance and equipment.  The Department of Corrections comprises about 80 percent of the budget.

I recently visited two prisons in central Illinois and found them understaffed and buildings in needed major repairs and renovation.  Staffing for juvenile correction centers continues to be inadequate to provide a necessary high school education and job training for young people while they are in prison.  It’s not surprising then that we have a high rate of repeat crime and imprisonment.

General Services Receive Small Allocation

This expense grouping covers the most number of state agencies but only about 5 percent of the budget.  Like the agencies, constitutional offices under this category received smaller allocations than last year.

Funding for agriculture programs continued the decade long trend of reductions.  The budget which regulates, promotes and protects our food supply now totals $95 million.  The cuts this year affected programs to improve water quality and reduce soil erosion.

Sweeping Education Reforms Passed

Last week the legislature continued making major reforms to the state’s educational system.  SB7 passed the House and now moves to the governor with changes to teacher tenure, dismissal, and collective bargaining.  It also requires school board member training and a survey of learning conditions in each school.

Under the approved reforms, teacher tenure will no longer be based simply on years served, but also will include merit and student growth in learning.  In addition, teacher reduction in force (RIF), recall, and the filling of vacant positions will be based on teacher performance before a board considers years of relevant experience.

Another provision of SB7 strives to avert teacher strikes.  Under the bill when negotiations stall, the public will be able to see the final offers of the district and local bargaining unit prior to a strike.  With this information, the public could pressure one side or the other to settle and avoid a strike.  Finally, the State Superintendent of Education will have the ability to revoke a teaching certificate when a teacher receives two unsatisfactory evaluations within a seven-year period.

SB 7 is the result of months of negotiations between all interested parties – from the State Board of Education to the reform groups, teacher unions, and school management.  These reforms combined with others over the past two years have the potential for major improvements in student learning and school operations.

District Office 815-748-3494 or E-Mail to bob@pritchardstaterep.com

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Winnowing The List Of Bills

Mar. 23 no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

The deadline for moving bills out of committee and to the House floor for debate passed last week thus ending the future for many ideas this session.  There were nearly 3800 bills introduced in the House and most were sent to one of 46 House committees for debate.  Only a few hundred bills made it to the next stage on the road to becoming a law.

The committee chair has great discretion whether he or she will call a bill for a vote or just let the bill die without debate.  Legislators introduce bills they are interested in or at the request of a constituent so it’s disappointing when there isn’t an opportunity to even discuss the idea.

If you have been following a particular bill, visit the legislative website (www.ilga.gov) to find the current status of the bill.  Those that made it to the House floor “on second reading” will be debated during the next several weeks until the final deadline for House bill action on April 15.  Each chamber of the legislature then takes up bills that have passed out of the other body.  This component of our bicameral legislature slows the process down to give ideas a fuller hearing and further debate before changing our laws.

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Questionable Government Spending Abounds

Jul. 26 no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

July 26, 2010

·        How to Create Jobs and Put People Back to Work
·        The Governor’s Efforts to Balance the Budget
·        Senior Health Fair Approaching

·        Celebrate the Power of Reading

·        Governor Signs More Legislation

·        Questionable Government Spending Abounds
·        Small Business Resource Fair Reveals Opportunity
·        Cemetery Meeting Informs about New Regulations
·        Higher Education Commission Looks at Finances

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Largest Decline in Tax Revenue in over 60 years

Jun. 19 2 comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

June 15, 2010

High Court Increases Fines; Helps Local Government

One of the bills that passed the legislature this spring caught a lot of local units of government by surprise.  Senate Bill 3695 created a source of revenue to pay state police and avoid the layoff of over 460 state police staff.  Not many realized that the revenue came from reducing fines that go to local units of government.

The bill now waiting for the governor’s signature directs $15 of fines assessed to defendants in any felony, traffic, misdemeanor, local ordinance, or conservation case to a special fund to pay the troopers and avoid closure of almost 25% of the Illinois State Police’s district headquarters.  This may not sound like a lot of money per case but it adds up to a third of the revenue from such tickets that would have gone to local police departments, circuit court clerks, county budgets and state revenue.

On June 3rd, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a ruling increasing the maximum fine amount to $120, effective September 15th.  Prior to the ruling, counties could only charge $75 as a maximum fine for traffic violations to individuals that pleaded guilty and did not appear in court.  The Supreme Court ruling directs that the $50 increased maximum fine go to issuing police department, counties and the state.

SB3695 will help assure enforcement of laws by keeping state police on duty and the court ruling makes certain the law does not detract from needed local government revenue.

Sales Tax Receipts Fall

With the depressed economy and reduced sales activity in many areas, those that depend on sales tax revenue are feeling the pinch.  The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reports that sales tax revenue last year fell by 6 percent and this year will see a further decline.

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Still no State Budget

Jul. 01 no comments

IL House Rep. (70th District) Bob Pritchard's Perspective on Illinois Government

IL House Rep. (70th District) Bob Pritchard

July 1, 2009

It’s not unusual for Illinois to start its fiscal year on July 1 without an approved budget.  Neither is it unusual for the Governor and legislative leaders to procrastinate in negotiations like a child dawdling on the way to school.  Over the past five years we have not had a budget agreement by the start of the fiscal year. In 2007, the legislature met every month until a budget agreement was reached in January 2008, six months into the fiscal year.  Therefore you may be wondering why all the concern about the FY2010 budget disagreements?

The Governor has been given legislation that appropriates funding for about $24 billion which is all the anticipated revenue for the year.  The Governor proposed a budget in March that called for $28.3 billion in general revenue spending.  Is this enough money with effective stewardship, spending cuts and program reforms to get through the year?  Every unit of government, family, and business has been scaling back in this economic downturn.

You might excuse the Governor’s reaction to the prospects of a smaller budget because this is 1) his first budget as Governor or 2) that his advisors are equally inexperienced in state budgeting or 3) that he had his heart set on an income tax increase.  Regardless, he has made just about every mistake a Governor can make in negotiations with legislative leaders including the czar of state government, Speaker Madigan.

To use the clichéd phrase “we are in uncharted waters now” wondering what the governor will do with the budget he was given.  Will he veto it and call the legislature into more special sessions like Governor Blagojevich; spend it as if it were a partial year budget and come back to the legislature for more when it runs out; or shut down nearly every local program for the disabled, mentally ill, elderly, preschool child, abused person and youth needing early intervention as he threatened?  We won’t have to wait long for an answer.

Quinn’s Words and Actions Disconnect

Speaking to an unusual joint special session of the Illinois General Assembly this week, Governor Quinn reiterated the need to make tough choices to balance the budget and that everyone must compromise and cooperate.  The Governor is a genuine, honest individual but his actions over the past few days demonstrate that he hasn’t yet taken his message to heart.

The Governor is not making priority choices when he sent out contracts to the most basic human service providers offering only partial or no funding for their programs.  He didn’t show much cooperation when his agencies are silent about how local mental health and home-care providers are suppose to end their services July 1 or what their clients should do to exist without the help.  The Governor didn’t show much compromise when he opposed a temporary budget while awaiting legislator suggestions to reform Medicaid and pensions, improve our job market or cut ineffective government spending.

Governor Quinn says he wants to do no harm to our most fragile citizens yet they are the ones who will not receive services in July.  He says he wants to do what’s right and in the common good yet he focuses only on an income tax increase that fails to fully fund what he proposes to spend.

I am willing to work with the Governor and legislators in a bipartisan manner to reach a balanced budget that sets priorities, makes tax dollars work harder and fulfills the role of government to its citizens.  If it takes all summer, like the Governor said, I’ll be there too.

Pension Obligation Note Concept Fails

As legislators returned to Springfield this week it appeared authority would be given to borrow $2.2 billion to make a full pension payment and use cash on hand designated for the pension payment to instead pay for some of the Governor’s proposed cuts in vital human services.  SB415 passed the house by an overwhelming margin but fell short of passage by two votes in the Senate.

Under ordinary conditions, few of us in the General Assembly would support such a band aid approach to funding critical needs.  However, with the realization that this plan will forestall massive social-service cuts, many of us were willing to support this idea during these atypical economic times until other spending reforms can be adopted.

The Governor had supported the idea over the past few weeks but he twisted a number of senator’s arms to vote against the plan in the final vote.  This is just another example of inconsistent behavior by the Governor that has legislative leaders and legislators baffled.

Legislation Corrected and Veto Approved

Amidst the budget discussions this week, the legislature approved several bills to correct errors in previous legislation and accept the Governor’s amendatory veto.

SB349 passed to clean up language in a revenue bill authorizing funding for one of the capital bills.  Since the bill relies on video gaming, the correction clarified background checks, revenue distribution and provisions requested by the Illinois Gaming Board.

SB1221 appropriated funding for capital projects and some operation budgets.  This legislation was in response to errors and omissions in previous bills.

SB1905 enacts reforms and continues the Health Facilities Planning Board’s regulation of expansion and remodeling to hospitals and nursing homes.  The Governor’s veto was upheld removing a new provision that would have paid board members up to $90,000 for serving when they currently serve with no compensation.

Pain of Reducing State Spending

The past month has brought about a great deal of discussion on reducing state spending and making painful but appropriate cuts to programs.  An email from Dave McClure, Executive Director for the Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley, drove home the realities of Governor Quinn’s proposed spending cuts.

Dave eloquently reflected on the fact that the true pain in these budget decisions lies with people like three foster children that he was personally involved with helping find a pre-adoptive home.

In this particular situation, finding a permanent home had proven difficult.  The boys had no family that could be deemed fit to care for them, so a couple that had previously stood by these kids stepped forward to assume the responsibility of caring for and raising these three boys.

It would be wishful thinking to conclude that these adoptive parents are well-to-do doctor, lawyer or professional types.  The reality is that like most adoptive parents, this couple is a typical middle to lower income family with great love and knowledge of what these boys need.  Without state services, however, these parents are forced to decide whether they can afford to take care of these children out of their own pocket.  The reality is that many cannot.

As we continue to move forward on the budget, I will continue to keep Dave’s story in mind.  This story drives home the point that we must continue to prioritize our spending and live within our means.  After all, we owe it to these three boys and countless others like them.

I hope you will remember and celebrate our freedoms, rights and privileges given to us in the United States during the approaching birthday of our nation.

Bob

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