Reis: Taxpayers Can’t Foot Bill for Another Overtime Session;
Budget, other key issues can be achieved by May 27th deadline

May 9, 2005

Springfield, IL…..With the clocking ticking off the final weeks before the General Assembly’s May 27th scheduled adjournment deadline, area House Republicans are stressing that our state cannot afford another costly overtime session. House Republicans have reached out to the governor and Democrat leaders in the Illinois General Assembly and pledged to work with them to pass a responsible budget and address other critical issues by the scheduled adjournment date.

“The Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly and the Governor’s mansion. Last year, their inability to work together to meet our adjournment deadline cost Illinois taxpayers over $360,000 in overtime expenses,” said State Representative David Reis (R-Ste Marie). “With our ongoing budget deficit we can’t afford these unnecessary expenses.”

Reis said in addition to passing a responsible balanced budget, other issues Republicans feel must be addressed before adjournment include: Medical Malpractice Reform, Education Funding, and Pension Reform.

“We’ve been holding hearings on critical medical malpractice reform for two years now. Meanwhile, we are continuing to lose doctors at an alarming rate,” said Reis. “It is time to stop talking and get the job done. If the Democrats will work with us, we can pass medical malpractice reform before we adjourn.”

Education funding and pension reform are key components of the state budget. House Republicans are committed to protecting funding for schools, and passing fiscally responsible pension reforms that safeguard employees’ retirement without increasing debt on future generations.