Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.
March 24, 2014
In This Issue:
Rotator Recovery
Charter School Reorganization
More Over-Taxing from the State House
NIU Testifies in Springfield
Get Covered Illinois Insurance Update
Sycamore Class Visits Springfield
Ruth Has Lots of Sense
Rotator Recovery
I appreciate the concern for my wounded appearance lately but I had surgery on my rotator cuff to repair some torn tendons. The surgery went well and I have started the long
process of physical therapy. I appreciate the great team who is managing the repair; it is surprising how many people have had this type of surgery. Thank you for your well wishes.
While this will keep me from some work around the farm, it won’t keep me from representing your interests in Springfield.
Charter School Reorganization
The house majority, last week took a step toward abolishing the Charter School Commission. The Commission, under current State law, creates a governance structure for the fast-growing network of charter schools throughout Illinois. Many felt it was not adequately providing that oversight and had some conflicts of interest. Charter schools are intended to provide alternative styles and creativity in instruction, and provide parents with another alternative to traditional public schools.
HB 3754 would abolish the Charter School Commission and return the governance of charter schools back to the State Board of Education (ISBE) which already oversees the more than 860 public school districts operating in Illinois.
More Over-Taxing From the State House
Since efforts to pass a graduated income tax appear to have stalled, the Speaker has turned to old tricks to pass an income tax surcharge. HJRCA 51, unveiled on Thursday, would impose an additional income tax of 3.0 percent upon Illinois individual incomes of greater than $1.0 million.
The major appeal for passage is that revenues from the income tax surcharge would be allocated to education-same line as was used to pass the state lottery years ago. Nothing in the proposal, however, would prevent the General Assembly from cutting its allocation of general revenue to school aid in an amount equal to or greater than the new revenues achieved through the proposed surcharge.
This proposal is also following a very un-American path of majority bullying of a minority. There are reportedly fewer than 14,000 tax returns that would be affected, some of which are small businesses. While there may not be research to show that people move when they feel their taxes are unfair, there are plenty of antidotal examples. Just ask the moving companies.
As with other constitutional amendments, HJRCA 51 requires a three-fifths majority vote of both houses to be placed on the Illinois ballot this November. Once on the ballot, it would have to get “yes” votes from a majority of all of those voting in the election, or three-fifths of those voting on the question, to be ratified as part of the Illinois Constitution.
NIU Testifies in Springfield
The Appropriations Higher Education Committee heard testimony last week from Northern Illinois University officials about their efforts to provide student career success despite the gradual de-funding of higher education by the legislature. The committee was also reminded that unfunded state mandates and other regulations also add to the cost of a university education today.
President Doug Baker, Chief Financial Officer Nancy
Suttenfield, and senior Lauren Boddy (left to right) testified in committee. Baker showed a chart of how state funding for NIU in constant dollars over the past 13 years has fallen by $53 million. Even with the university income fund (that includes increased student tuition), the revenue to operate NIU has fallen by $10.5 million.
Baker also showed pictures of buildings suffering from differed maintenance that affects the ability to provide a good educational experience. He noted the NIU reserve funds to address maintenance issues were taken by the state several years ago. Baker also spoke out against the proposed minimum wage increase proposal saying it would likely add $3 million to operating costs and limit efforts to employ student workers. The wage proposal is estimated to add $17.7 million for all public universities.
The committee was encouraged by NIU’s efforts, under the new president, to address student recruitment, diversity in faculty hiring, reduce operating expenses, and generally give students the training and preparation needed for successful careers. The state needs to invest in the education of our workforce to attract employers and grow our economy.
Get Covered Illinois Insurance Update
The U.S. Department of Human Services (HHS) released a report last week on enrollment in the federal Affordable Care Act that showed an additional 313,733 Illinoisans have insurance coverage in the past five months. Roughly one-third have found insurance on the Insurance Marketplace and two-thirds were eligible for Medicaid.
Nearly 77 percent of the enrollees qualified for a subsidy and 25 percent were in the targeted younger age range (18- to 34-years-old) necessary to pay for the program. The Get Covered Illinois staff urges health care consumers to take advantage of assistance to get insurance coverage:
Visit the website- www.getcoveredillinois.gov
Call the help desk at 866-311-1119 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Meet with specially trained navigators who can be found by visiting the website and entering your zip code.
Sycamore Class Visits Springfield
The fifth grade class at Southeast School in Sycamore got a first-hand look at Springfield historic sites and the state capitol last week. They didn’t get a chance to see the legislature in action so I will visit the class over Easter Break to explain the legislative process and discuss their questions about our government. Thanks to teacher Michelle Bohlig for arranging this important experience for the students.
Ruth Has Lots of Sense
On March 14th, I had the privilege to attend the 100th birthday party for Ruth Kruse, DeKalb. I gave her 100 cents (a dollar) for her birthday and said she had more sense than anyone in the Illinois House of Representatives.
I will be in Springfield this week and look forward to seeing many constituents who will be visiting to discuss pending legislation. Call if I can be of assistance to you.
Bob
District Office 815-748-3494 or E-Mail to bob@pritchardstaterep.com
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