Written by Sullivan Staff Wednesday, 16 February 2011 10:54
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –Today in Springfield, Governor Pat Quinn gave his annual Budget Address in which he offered his proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2012. Senator John Sullivan (D – Rushville), Chairman of the Senate’s Appropriations II Committee, issued the following comments in response to Governor Quinn’s budget proposal.
On the budget as a whole:
• “The Governor’s Budget Address is the first step in the budgeting process. As Chairman of the Appropriations II Committee, I will be closely monitoring the budget as the process moves forward.”
• “The reality is there needs to be spending cuts. Unfortunately, specific cuts were not made clear. I pledge to work with the Governor through the appropriations process to identify opportunities for spending cuts.”
On the proposed borrowing plan:
• “The Governor’s budget is based on the passage of Senate Bill 3, an $8.75 billion borrowing bill that will be used to pay the state’s $6 billion backlog in unpaid bills. While I fully support honoring our commitments and paying the backlog of bills, it appears a portion of the borrowed funds would be used to fund operations, which I find problematic.”
On K-12 Education:
• “While I agree with the Governor that preventing drastic cuts to education should be a priority, his proposed 35% cut to school transportation--in addition to last year’s 42% cut--is not fair to rural districts. As Chairman of the Senate’s Downstate Caucus, I will work for a more equitable distribution of resources.”
On Higher Education:
• “The budget for Higher Education, including the budget for Western Illinois University, will see level funding.”
On the Quincy Veterans’ Home:
• “In an attempt to provide additional long-term care for our veterans, I’m pleased to see there will be no funding cuts at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. In fact, the Home will see a modest increase, which will allow for additional care for veterans.”
To watch or download a video of Senator Sullivan discussing the Governor’s Budget Address, please visit www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/budget.
Senator Sullivan Menu
47th District
Assistant Majority Leader
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Financial Institutions; Higher Education; Appropriations II (Chairperson); Pensions and Investments; Transportation; Deficit Reduction; Trans. Subcommittee on Amendments; Subcomm.on Pension Enhancements.
Biography: Graduate of Quincy College; partner in family auction and real estate business; lives north of Rushville on the family farm with wife, Joan, and their four children: Matthew, Emily, Luke and Mark.