Springfield, IL…State Representative Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) released the following statement after Governor Pritzker’s Annual Budget Address:
“What I have witnessed today is another proposed budget filled with promises that can’t be kept. Last year’s budget was not balanced and neither is the Governor’s budget proposed for this year. The state can’t continue to increase spending year over year and expect to have a balanced budget.
Our nation’s economy is strong, however, Illinois continues to be outperformed by our neighboring states as a result of billions in unpaid bills and pension debt. Today, the state has over $7.3 billion in unpaid bills. We need a plan to climb out of debt, we need a state budget that does not spend more than our revenue and we need a budget without new taxes. Until the Democrats learn to live within their means, we won’t have a balanced budget. With that said, I am willing to work with both sides of the aisle to pass a budget that is balanced without new taxes, but I won’t hold my breath.”