NEWS

from the Illinois Senate

State Senator Susan Garrett

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Susan Garrett (847) 433-2002

GARRETT INTRODUCES BILLS TO REFORM
STATE BUDGET APPROVAL PROCESS

HIGHWOOD, IL - In response to many comments from Illinois taxpayers who are outraged by this year’s budget inaction in Springfield, State Senator Susan Garrett (D – Lake Forest) has introduced the Budget Forecast, Accountability, and Ethics Act (Senate Bills 1848 and 1849; see links below). The Act is intended to prevent future budget showdowns and stalemates like the one plaguing state lawmakers this year.

The proposal will institute the following reforms in the budget process:

  • If a budget is not approved by the last day of the state’s fiscal year (June 30), a budget identical to the previous year’s appropriations will automatically be put in place.
  • Fixed deadlines are set for completion of various budget activities, making the budget process move efficiently and in a timely manner.
  • All budget bills recommended by the governor must be posted on the General Assembly’s web site within two days after submission.
  • To ensure long-term fiscal planning and accurate forecasting, the governor’s budget proposal must include projections of revenues and expenditures for both the budget year and the following fiscal year. This would move the budget from a 12-month planning cycle to a 24-month planning cycle.
  • Appropriations bills must be posted on the web site in their final form for at least five days before legislators are asked to cast their final votes on the bill.
  • These changes will increase public access to the budget process and clarify what measures are being considered.

“This proposal provides a framework to eliminate brinksmanship and provide assurance for state workers and agencies that bills and salaries will be paid,” said Garrett. “It also provides an opportunity for legislators to ensure that the needs of their constituents are being taken into account in the budget process.”

With the current process, legislators can be shut out from participating, allowing only top leadership to confer privately without sufficient oversight, accountability, or endgame in view.

Senator Garrett researched how other states develop their budgets and found that Illinois has a much less structured framework for developing and presenting the budget to the General Assembly than many states.

Garrett said, “We need to send a message that taxpayers are not to be taken for granted, and it’s because of their hard-earned dollars that we are able to provide for education, transportation, and health initiatives. This process should not be closed. Top leadership needs to keep us involved every step of the way.”

[Senate Bill 1848 is available at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1848&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=33848&SessionID=51.

Senate Bill 1849 is available at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1849&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=33849&SessionID=51.]