BEA UPDATE
March 19th, 2010
Update – RA Edition: I realize I just sent one of these out a few days ago, but I just had the unique experience of witnessing a “debate,” if you will, between Governor Pat Quinn and our senator, Bill Brady, on education related issues. Please take time to watch it yourself (see the video above). Below are the highlights from both candidates on the issues addressed. Responses not in quotations have been paraphrased by me, and are unbiased, I promise.
Current Position
Brady – “I am a business man.”
Quinn – “I’ve been governor for a little over a year.”
How will you solve the current school funding problem?
Brady – “We all need to live within our means.” He would not propose a budget with a massive deficit like Governor Quinn has.“We need a 1% surcharge on income tax to fund our schools.”
Quinn – “We cannot cut our way out of these deficit problems.”
“Jobs follow brain power,” brain power comes from education.
Would you sign HB 174 as governor, if it passes the General Assembly? – The bill would raise the income tax by 2%, 1% to fund schools and an additional 1% to address the larger deficit problem.
Brady – “No” it would lead to an exodus of jobs from the state.
Quinn – “Yes” if it were written in the “right way.”
What will you do to fix the pension system?
Brady – “I will fully fund your pension system as required by law of this state.”
“I will promise not to change any benefits of members currently in the system.” – I just want to point out that he couldn’t do this if he wanted to, because the Illinois Constitution forbids it.He does want an employee owned system – 403 b account managed by the employee. “Change is difficult” he said went the crowd responded negatively.
Quinn – Wants adequate funding for the pension system, and would work with IEA to get it done and fix the system.
School Vouchers
Brady – Leave it up to local communities, if they want them to get their kids out of failing schools, they should be able to.
Quinn – No vouchers.
Creationism in schools.
Brady – Leave it up to local communities to determine curriculum.
Quinn – Don’t impose religion on others.No creationism in public schools.
How will you partner with IEA to solve education problems in Illinois?
Brady – “My door will always be open.”“I will not slash the Illinois budget in a heartless way that hurts schools.”
Quinn – “We need to raise taxes to support schools”
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What is the difference between Governor Quinn’s proposed 1% surcharge and HB 174?
The Governor is proposing a 1% surcharge on the income tax in Illinois which is currently 3%. He would also like to raise the corporate tax by 1%. These increases would generate $2.8 billion a year, and that money would be dedicated to education. This proposal has not be introduced yet, that I know of, to the General Assembly. That will come soon. HB 174 is currently in the House. It calls for a 2% increase in the income tax, a 1% increase in corporate taxes and would expand the state sales tax to some services that are not currently taxed. This measure would generate $5.8 billion a year. Some of the funds would be dedicated to education, others would go to help reduce the general budget deficit of the state.
IEA encourages you to support HB 174 by contacting Bill or Dan Brady and asking them to support the measure. Above, Bill Brady already indicated that he does not support the measure, but his is still YOUR senator and needs to listen to you.
Lobby Day April 21st: Don’t forget lobby day. This issue is bound to be THE issue discussed that day. See your building reps if you are interested in attending.
Spring Break = Snow. Well, it is Illinois. Enjoy the time off.
Rich
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