State government spending is out-of-control. Since 2003, when Democrats took control of the executive and legislative branches of state government, spending has increased by 27% -- roughly twice the rate of median household income growth during the same period. Said differently, state government spending is growing at twice the rate of Illinois families' abilities to pay.
As a consequence, our state borrows billions of dollars annually to cover its budget deficit, and Illinois taxpayers are on the hook for more than $100 billion in unpaid bills, unfunded liabilities, and debt. To pay for all of this spending, Democrats have proposed a 50% income tax increase on Illinois families and businesses. Simply raising taxes, however, completely misses the point: spending, not revenue, is the problem.
As state representative, I will work to restore fiscal discipline to our state budget by supporting the following reforms:
- Pay-As-You-Go ("PAYGO"). Illinois families have to live within their means, and so too should state government. I will support Pay-As-You-Go ("PAYGO") legislation that would require the General Assembly to offset any new spending programs with commensurate spending reductions to existing programs that are outdated, duplicative, or ineffective.
- 3/5 Supermajority for Tax Increases. For too many politicians in Springfield, tax increases are a tempting policy "shortcut" for closing gaps in the state budget. The problem with tax increases is that they strain family budgets and inhibit job creation and economic growth -- all unacceptable outcomes given out state's economic crisis. In order to protect Illinois families and businesses from unnecessary tax increases -- and to encourage the General Assembly to make more disciplined spending decisions -- I will sponsor legislation that would require a 3/5 supermajority vote to pass any legislation that would raise taxes or fees on Illinois families or businesses.
- Reduce the Size of the State Bureaucracy. We can regain control over our state budget by responsibly reducing the size of the state bureaucracy slowly, over a period of years, by simply not rehiring for certain positions as existing state employees quit or retire. By reducing the size of the state bureaucracy slowly, we can maintain the current level of service while creating a leaner and more efficient government operation.
- Competitive Bidding. Illinois should establish an independent, bipartisan commission to identify an inventory of services that could be outsourced to the private sector. The inventory would be available online and open to public bidding. Contracts would be awarded if private contractors can provide the services at lower cost and with adequate assurances of timeliness and quality.