If the Illinois Democrats thought
their legislative actions, like holding fake votes and Committees of the Whole,
would lessen Gov. Bruce Rauner’s resolve on reform they were mistaken.
This week, the governor re-introduced his top five legislative reform ideas indicating that many
further incorporated Democrat idea’s, an effort he said shows his willingness
to compromise.
Rauner made it clear he
will not support any tax hikes until the Democrats pass his reform agenda. In fact, he challenged House Speaker Michael
Madigan to either pass reforms or pass a tax hike given the speaker’s
super-majority. The speaker needs all 71
of his members to not only support a tax hike but also override a gubernatorial
veto, a feat the Speaker has had trouble doing in the past.
Rauner’s legislative package
includes workers’ compensation reform, a property tax freeze along with local
government control of prevailing wage, lawsuit reform and two constitutional
amendments to allow for term limits and changes in how the state draws its legislative
boundaries.
NFIB/Illinois supports the
governor’s TurnAround Agenda, particularly his efforts to significantly reform
work comp and bring some local control to the prevailing wage laws in Illinois.
