{"id":421741,"date":"2010-03-12T17:50:45","date_gmt":"2010-03-12T22:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/illinoiseducationassociation.org\/?p=6431"},"modified":"2010-03-12T17:50:45","modified_gmt":"2010-03-12T22:50:45","slug":"capitol-report-for-march-12-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/421741","title":{"rendered":"Capitol Report for March 12, 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Capitol Buzz\u2026<\/h2>\n
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On Wednesday, the Governor delivered his much anticipated budget address.\u00a0 We all knew the numbers would be abysmal in terms of the challenges that the state faces and Gov. Pat Quinn stated them early on in the speech.\u00a0 Join IEA Director of Government Relations, Jim Reed as he talks about the Governor’s budget address.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Governor\u2019s budget address<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Wednesday, the Governor delivered his much anticipated budget address.\u00a0 We all knew the numbers would be abysmal in terms of the challenges that the state faces and Gov. Pat Quinn stated them early on in the speech:<\/p>\n

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  1. The state has a $13 billion budget deficit!<\/li>\n
  2. A $1.3 billion reduction in funding to public education, with the majority of that coming from grade schools and high schools.<\/li>\n
  3. Hold Harmless for General State Aid has been zeroed out.<\/li>\n
  4. A 20 percent reduction in mandated categoricals.<\/li>\n
  5. A loss of nearly $1 billion in federal money for education.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    To the surprise of many, the speech was short. However, the real surprise came at the end of the speech when the Governor deviated from the presentation that had been distributed and proposed a 1 percent income tax increase with the proceeds dedicated to education. In our conversations with the Governor\u2019s office, they have indicated that the details of that proposal are still being ironed out but the Governor intends for those funds to be an investment in our public education system at all levels.<\/p>\n

    Back Home Lobby Days<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Between March 28th<\/sup> and April 11th<\/sup>, members of the General Assembly will be home on break. We anticipate that a good number of them will be accessible in their district offices to meet with their constituents and to discuss the important issues facing the state of Illinois.<\/p>\n

    As we did last year, we are encouraging all of our members and staff to take this opportunity to talk to legislators and impress upon them the need for revenue. The large number of RIF notices should provide an opportunity to impress upon legislators the need for revenue to Save our Schools and Save our State.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Here are some of the key components of HB 174 which would provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the funding needs of the State. It is our goal to educate the members of the General Assembly about the bill and to suggest that they use it as a framework for discussions about revenue.<\/p>\n

    HB 174 Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

    HB 174<\/a> (Miller, D-Dolton\/Cullerton, D-Chicago) would raise anywhere from $5 billion to $5.2 billion in new, recurring tax revenues, provide tax relief to homeowners and low income families, and provide additional funding for public schools, health and human services. <\/strong><\/p>\n