Rep. Sandack Responds to Gov. Rauner's Budget Address

In response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s Budget Address on Wednesday, State Representative Ron Sandack has issued the following statement:

“After years and years of overspending, it should come as a surprise to no one that the day of reckoning has arrived. Today we heard a bold budget plan that addresses the financial crisis and puts our great state on a fiscally-sustainable path. I look forward to working with Governor Rauner and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as we make decisions that may be difficult in the short term, but will serve the people of Illinois very well in the long run.

“Today marks the beginning of a budget revolution in Illinois. Governor Rauner has presented an honest path forward and lawmakers will need to summon all of their political courage in making tough and unpopular decisions that will right our financial ship. The state’s financial crisis was decades in the making and it will not be solved overnight.

“While the specifics of Governor Rauner’s budget plan were difficult to hear, today’s speech was refreshing, in that it was a responsible and honest presentation of facts. We’ve spent far too much for far too long, and we must tighten our belts and live within our means. The Governor’s proposal is a solid first step and I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to put a final, balanced budget in place during the next few months.

“I was glad to hear the Governor say that before any discussion about increasing revenues occurs, lawmakers need to ensure that taxpayers are getting value for their money. Asking taxpayers for more of their hard-earned money without first making the structural reforms that are necessary to maximize efficiency would be irresponsible.”