One of the more polarizing bills remaining before us is SB600 which passed out of the Senate with forty four yes votes. The bill changes the election procedure for the Republican State Central Committeemen. The bill had a republican sponsor in the Senate and was authored by Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora). As you know, I avoid politics in this column but I just must share the dynamics of what is happening here.

The bill was grabbed by a democrat sponsor in the House and two times it has been called to the floor during this veto session and both times one of the house’s most gifted orators, Lou Lang (D-Skokie), has taken the opportunity to deliver scathing attacks on the Republican Party. It was a struggle, but I held my seat. Keep in mind this is a republican issue that is opposed by the Illinois Republican Party, Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association, and the Illinois Republican State Central Committee. It is supported by Jack Roeser (Family Taxpayers Foundation) and Republican Young Professionals.

The first time called, we, the republicans, went to caucus. The second time, it failed with only four republican votes and now is on delayed consideration. Will it pass? There are good arguments on both sides. But when someone is attempting to rub someone’s nose in the mud, you just must ask why? I know many of you have strong feelings regarding this issue and there is little doubt we will see it again in January.

Our finances continue to be the overriding issue facing our entire state and, yes, we, the General Assembly and Governor, are obligated to solve it. We don’t have a good track record. I volunteered for and am a member of the Bi-Partisan Task Force on Government Reform and Spending Reduction. A group that testified before us is the “Institute for Truth in Accounting”. They provided some excellent insights such as the IRS requires fact based budgeting for anyone dealing with over ten million dollars. We are over 2,000 times that and we use cash based budgeting.

The point is, it’s wrong and gives a skewed picture of Illinois finances. They point out that Comptroller Hynes has acknowledged that our state is actually over $82 billion in the hole.

Why do we do this? Simple, it’s called the Section 25 exception to the State Finance Act. It allows us to defer certain obligations. You and I know spending is out of control and I will introduce legislation to eliminate this. I have no illusion that I can make it move. Rest assured I’ll try. You need to visit the Institute’s web site at www.truth in2010.org