Reis Sworn in for 2nd Term as State Representative

January 10, 2007

Springfield...With family and friends in attendance, State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) took the oath of office this week for his 2nd term as State Representative of the 108 th District.   "It is an honor for me and my family to continue representing the interests of the residents here in Southeastern Illinois" Reis said.

Pledging to renew his efforts to work for legislation that will make a difference for his region, Rep. Reis pointed toward a better job climate, family values, and public safety as three areas he will focus on in the upcoming session.   "As we begin the new legislative session, I will continue working on ways to solve these and other critical issues facing the state and our district."

Reis said new job creation for our region is essential.   Introducing the "New Jobs Now Tax Credit" legislation and pursuing funding for his Mobile Workforce Training Program are two items that he will focus on in the spring session.

In continuing his push for family values, Reis will again help initiate the petition drive to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot in Illinois that recognizes marriage as between a man and a woman.   The petition drive will attempt to get the measure on the 2008 ballot.

"Stem cell research is also going to be a hot topic this spring" said Reis.   "All of us in the General Assembly believe that taxpayer dollars should be used to fund adult and blood cord stem cell research. However, in the case of embryonic stem cell research, where one life is sacrificed in an attempt to save another, many of legislators including myself are opposed to using tax dollars to fund something that is so controversial and unethical."

In addition, Reis is working on legislation that will create an adoption task force, specifically targeting domestic adoptions.   "We want to find out why these adoptions are so difficult" said Reis "and how we can utilize state law to help make domestic adoptions more readily available to our families."

Stiffening sex offender laws in the State of Illinois, keeping those offenders away from our children, and continuing the fight against the methamphetamine problem are two public safety issues Rep. Reis will once again tackle in the General Assembly.   "Thanks to legislation we have adopted in Springfield over the past couple of years, the expansion of meth in our state has diminished from its rapid pace" Reis said.   "However, there is certainly more that we can do to help keep this dangerous drug from being manufactured and out of the hands of those in our communities who would use it."

Reis said there is a full plate of issues on the table as they head back to Springfield including the states critical financial situation.   "A number of studies have been released during the past few months confirming what we have been saying for years - Illinois expenses continue to out pace revenues and we are now faced with over $100 billion of debt and unfunded pension liabilities" Reis said. "I am hopeful that our friends on the other side of the aisle (Democrats) take these warnings seriously.   We've got to limit new spending and hold off on creating new programs when there is no money to pay for them."

Rep. Reis continues to encourage residents of the 108 th District to contact him with their concerns and suggestions about proposed legislation. They can contact his district office at 618-392-0108 or by visiting his web site at www.davidreis.org.