State Representative Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives approved House Rules today that will result in less transparency in the legislature:
“The new house rules are substantially the same as Madigan’s Rules. Yes, there are some minor changes but nothing that changes the process. In fact, they are designed to circumvent Article 4 of the Constitution. There are no guarantees that proper time is given for the public and members to study or respond to bills. There is no guarantee that the fiscal impact of the legislation will be considered.
We heard today that these rules are a work in progress. I sincerely hope that is the intent of the Democratic majority but my past experience with their promises leaves me very less than optimistic. I voted no today because these rules don’t meet the basic standards of fairness to the people I represent.”