A weekly update on issues from Illinois State Senator Gary Forby

Last Friday, fall veto session came to a close. While it appears that the economic recession is slowing, Southern Illinois is still feeling its negative effects. Job creation and alleviating the financial burden for many in my district were my top priorities at the capital this past week. My colleagues and I were left with some difficult decisions to make. During veto session, I promoted legislation designed to stimulate the Southern Illinois economy. This initiative will encourage job growth all over the region by promoting trade.One measure that I sponsored creates the Massac-Metropolis Port District. This measure, Senate Bill 2106, promotes job creation and stimulates the Southern Illinois economy. The bill puts people in my district to work and gives the economy a much-needed boost. The facilities will need workers during construction, and when completed, the port district will need employees to operate and maintain the facilities. This initiative will encourage job growth all over the region by promoting trade.

I believe the creation of this port district will create a new global outlet for our region’s natural resources, such as coal and agricultural products. Coal mining and farming production have remained driving economic forces in Southern Illinois, and the end result of this measure would be the creation of jobs in my district. This measure passed both houses and now awaits the governor’s approval.

Another major concern I addressed during veto session was alleviating the financial burden that many Southern Illinoisans are facing because of the slow economy. I passed one solution, House Bill 303, to combat this growing problem. The proposed legislation lessens the burden on some businesses by restoring a sales tax exemption for mining equipment and machinery. It also creates a sales tax exemption for the construction of veterans’ monuments.

The initiative restores a sales tax exemption for mining equipment and machinery that was unintentionally repealed in 2003, specifically roof bolts. The bolts are needed to ensure mine workers’ safety. The legislation I sponsored restores the original sales tax exemption for roof bolts. This bill will help the coal mining industry and create jobs by lessening the economic burden on this industry.

House Bill 303 also allows nonprofit and veterans’ organizations to purchase monuments honoring veterans without paying sales tax. By allowing these organizations to be exempt from sales tax, we are lowering their financial burden off and encouraging them to construct monuments honoring Illinois’ veterans. This bill passed the Senate and is now in the House for concurrence.

Although there is still a lot to be done next spring, the legislation we passed during veto session were certainly steps in the right direction. I will continue to fight for Southern Illinoisans’ rights and to move our state forward during spring session. We must continue to focus on creating Illinois jobs, stimulating our economy and coming up with a responsible, long-term budget solution.