Cavaletto Disappointed in Budget Result

5/31/2009

Springfield, IL…. On Sunday evening, the Illinois House narrowly approved an operations budget using funds currently available in the General Revenue Fund. House Democrat Majority Leader Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie sponsored SB 1197 that funds state government agencies at a level of 51%. Currently, Illinois’ operating budget deficit is estimated to be between $7 and $12 billion. Earlier on during legislative action, a measure that would have raised the personal income tax from 3% to 4.5%, failed to garner sufficient support for passage.

State Rep. John Cavaletto (R – Salem) said late Sunday night that he felt disappointed in a partial year spending plan that passed the Illinois House “We have a real problem in this state,” Cavaletto said. “Illinois government has made a habit of spending more than we take in. For the last six years we didn’t have a revenue problem, we had a spending problem. The majority party failed over and over again to take responsible action and control state spending. So, here we are with a ‘half-way’ solution for an ‘all-the-way’ problem.”

Throughout the spring session, Democrats insisted that an income tax increase was the only solution to the state’s fiscal woes. “The minority party hasn’t had a hand in budget negotiations in a long time. My Republican colleagues aren’t responsible for this financial disaster. Our good ideas to reform government and spend taxpayer money responsibly have been repeatedly ignored. Tonight I challenge Governor Quinn, Speaker Madigan, and Senate President Cullerton to show some leadership, take some responsibility, and solve the problems that we face. They were elected to lead, they are the majority. They caused the problems and they should provide real solutions,” Cavaletto said.

It is estimated that the budget passed by the Illinois House on Sunday night will cause state agencies to run out of money before the end of the summer.

Cavaletto Votes Yes on Government Reform Measures

5/21/2009

Springfield, IL….The Joint Committee on Governmental Reform was commissioned following former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s removal from office for the purpose of studying ethics and procurement reforms. Resulting legislation from those meetings passed the Illinois House this week.

State Rep. John Cavaletto (R – Salem) says many of the reforms brought about this week were needed to begin restoring public trust in Illinois state government. “Illinois state government is in need of a serious ethical re-boot,” Cavaletto said. “The passage of these ethics bills means that elected officials and anyone doing business with the state will have to abide by rules that keep the best interests of the people we represent in mind.”

Legislative action on Wednesday led to the elimination of the state of Illinois Compensation Review Board. The Compensation Review Board was responsible for setting cost of living adjustments (COLA) for members of the Legislative, Judiciary, and Executive Branches. “The last thing we should be considering as a state government is raising our own pay,” Cavaletto said. “The old process of raising legislator pay was nothing more than a fraud on the public. Now, members of the legislature will actually have to vote “Yes” to raise their own pay, which I think is a strong step in the right direction.”

On Thursday, the House passed legislation offered by Speaker Madigan that will reform state purchasing and procurement procedures, transform rules for lobbyists, and terminate directors, assistant and deputy directors of agencies, members of boards and commissions, and “double exempt” employees hired by Governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. Designated employees under SB 1333 will be terminated 90 days after the effective date of the Act unless Governor Quinn decides to retain the individual within that time frame.

A comprehensive collection of documents, testimony, and resulting legislation in relation to the Joint Committee on Governmental Reform can be found by visiting www.ilga.gov.

Cavaletto Votes for Crucial Capital Jobs Bill

5/21/2009

Springfield, IL….State Rep. John Cavavletto (R – Salem) voted to create the first capital construction program in a decade in the state of Illinois. HB 312 establishes a spending plan that will create nearly 500,000 jobs statewide in coming years.

Cavaletto says the capital construction plan passed by the Illinois House late Thursday night will spark Illinois’ economy and shore up aging and crumbling infrastructure. “Today we voted to support a capital plan that will grow our economy and put people back to work,” Cavaletto said. “I feel fortunate as a freshman legislator to see my colleagues come together in a time of great economic need and pass a job creation bill. The people of southern Illinois have been waiting for this for a long, long time.”

Following a decade of stagnation on the issue of capital construction, the Illinois House unanimously approved new road, bridge, school, and infrastructure construction. “We voted today to make a major investment in our people and in our infrastructure. We will fix thousands of miles of bad roads, crumbling bridges, and build new schools. With unemployment over 9% in Illinois, this plan will put people back to work and get our economy going again,” Cavaletto said.

A study conducted by Southern Illinois University estimates a capital program of approximately that size ($25 billion) will create around 443,000 new full-time jobs, generate $23.7 billion in labor income and lead to $32.5 billion in economic activity and more than $2.4 billion in state and local tax revenues.

The capital bill that passed the Illinois House also addresses the list of 23 school districts that have been waiting since 2002 for $150 million in promised school construction funding.

Cavaletto Focuses on Ethics Reform

5/15/2009

Springfield, IL….A special “open caucus” meeting of House Republican legislators focused on the Illinois Reform Commission’s 100-day report on cleaning up state government. The special session was open to both Republican and Democrat members of the Illinois House and Senate as well as the media and general public.

Representative John Cavaletto (R – Salem) feels the meeting was productive, but says more political progress needs to be made before real reform can happen. “I was happy to see some of my democrat colleagues in attendance today,” Cavaletto said. “There was one notable absence though.” Cavaletto was referring to House Speaker Michael Madigan who declined to attend the meeting. “Unfortunately without support from the speaker, these reform proposals are dead in the water, and that is really a shame.”

Illinois Reform Commission Chairman Patrick Collins, a former assistant U.S. attorney, talked at length about the commission’s recommendations to clean up government. Topics covered in his presentation included matters of campaign finance reform, legislative map redistricting, and the indictment and impeachment of former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

“I commend Chairman Collins for appearing before our caucus and answering our questions on reform,” Cavaletto said. “Illinois government has been mired in the muck of corruption, secrets, and lies for too long. We have one Governor in prison and another one may be on his way there. We have to recognize that ‘enough is enough’ and the time for real, meaningful reform in the way we do business in Springfield has come.”

Cavaletto is urging constituents to read the Illinois Reform Commission’s 100-day report online at reformillinoisnow.org. “Folks should really read the entire Commission Report so they can get a clearer picture on these proposals,” Cavaletto said. “If we are going to make changes in Illinois government, the people will need to become educated on these issues and hold elected officials accountable.”

Rep. Cavaletto Joins Chesley and Business Leaders Opposing Prevailing Wage Legislation

4/30/2009

Springfield….State Rep. John Cavaletto (R – Salem) joined Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley and representatives of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, NFIB-Illinois and the Illinois Municipal League in opposing Senate Bill 43 in a capitol press conference held Wednesday.

Cavaletto warned of potential risks to economic growth in Illinois should the bill move forward. “This bill will require all projects in Enterprise Zones or Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts to pay the prevailing wage on construction projects, even if those projects are 100% privately funded,” Eddy said.

The legislation alters the original intent of the Prevailing Wage Law, which was to ensure that public works projects, including the construction and maintenance of publicly-funded property (i.e. schools, municipal buildings, roads and bridges) followed prevailing wage guidelines.

“I have spoken out against all attempts to destroy business growth since taking office,” Cavaletto said. “The area I represent has lost 5,000 jobs in the last decade. I am very disappointed that the Democrat majority is pushing a bill that will almost certainly kill off any potential for economic development. Cavaletto speaks out on Prevailing Wage Bill

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley offered local perspective on the potential risk to economic growth in the King City should SB 43 pass. “We have worked hard to offer incentives to businesses looking to locate in Mt. Vernon, and we have been successful in doing so,” Chesley said.

“Passing this bill will mean that businesses who would have either located for the first time, or expanded their services in our city will head to Kentucky, Missouri, or Indiana to set up shop. We can not afford another assault on business incentives in southern Illinois,” she said. Chesley speaks out on the Prevailing Wage Bill

Rep. Cavaletto is urging citizens to contact Speaker Michael Madigan’s Springfield office at 217-782-5350 and voice their concerns on Senate Bill 43.

Cavaletto Passes Underground Storage Tank Fund Protection Bill out of Illinois House

3/31/2009

Salem….Legislation offered by State Rep. John Cavaletto (R – Salem) designed to protect the leaking underground storage tank fund from being raided by the Governor and used for unrelated budget items passed the Illinois House of Representatives on Tuesday.

In previous years, funds collected from the Illinois Motor Fuel Tax that were supposed to be dedicated to pay companies to clean up leaking underground fuel storage tanks have been diverted into the General Revenue Fund.

“I feel very strongly that dedicated funds should be left alone so they can serve the purpose they were meant to serve. Here we have honest, hard working people doing a great service for our state in cleaning up dangerous leaking storage tanks, and the state of Illinois refuses to honor its obligations,” Cavaletto said. “Something needs to be done to ensure that these people are getting paid for the work they do on behalf of the state.”

More than $54 million has been swept from the fund since 2003, causing hardship for environmental companies in Illinois that specialize in cleaning up dangerous leaking storage tanks.

The bill originated at the request of Mr. Jay Koch of Mt. Vernon. Koch is the President of United Science Industries. Currently, USI, Inc. and its subsidiaries are owed nearly $20 million for storage tank clean up work they have performed throughout the state since 2003 when the fund raids began.

HB 770 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Cavaletto Opens District Office During Open House

3/31/2009

Salem….State Representative John Cavaletto officially opened his State Representative district office to media members and constituents of the 107th district on Monday. Cavaletto opened the evening by offering comments on the fire that damaged and destroyed buildings in downtown Centralia.

“I was sorry to hear about today’s fire in downtown Centralia. It has caused a lot of damage. I have been in contact with Mayor (Becky) Ault today and I have assured her that I will work closely with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Governor’s office in the coming weeks to help Centralia rebuild,” Cavaletto said.

Representative John Cavaletto makes remarks to constituents during a recent open house at his district office in Salem.

Rep. Cavaletto also made a brief presentation on the Governor’s proposed budget as well as his own legislative agenda. “I have sponsored legislation that tackles issues related to the economy, our state’s national resources, and protecting children from dangerous sex offenders,” Cavaletto said. “Being a freshman can be tough, whether you’re in high school, college, or the state legislature, but I am happy with the legislative progress I have made so far.”

Cavaletto offered criticism of Gov. Quinn’s tax increase and pension raid plan. “I have said for the last 7 years that big tax hikes and skipping pension payments would add to our state’s financial problems. And now we are facing a budget deficit that’s almost $12 billion,” Cavaletto said. “For too long the approach to budget making in Illinois government has been to first ask, ‘What do we need to pay for?’ and then ask ‘How will we get the money?’

As the spring legislative session moves forward, Cavaletto predicts that the budget that has been proposed will not be the budget that passes in late May. “The bottom line is that we need more people working so we can ease the tax burden on working families,” Cavaletto said.

The district office is open from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. The office is located at 1370 West Main Street, Suite A in Salem. Rep. Cavaletto’s district office can be reached by calling (618) 548-9080 or by e-mailing john@johncavaletto.com

Cavaletto to Host District Office Open House

3/24/2009

Salem….State Representative John Cavaletto will open his district office to media members and constituents of the 107^th district on Monday, March 3oth. Representative Cavaletto will be available to meet with members of the media from 4:45 – 5:00 p.m. 

Cavaletto will offer brief remarks on the state budget, a proposed capital plan and his own legislative agenda.

From 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. the office will be open to constituents who wish to stop by for the purpose of a tour or to meet with district office staff regarding any concerns.

The office address is 1370 West Main Street, Suite A in Salem. Please refer questions to Rep. Cavaletto’s district office by calling (618) 548-9080 or e-mail john@johncavaletto.com

Light finger foods will be available. The public is invited to attend.

Jones and Cavaletto Address Community Concerns About Power Holdings

3/26/2009

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Public concerns about the proposed Power Holdings coal gasification plant will be closely followed by Jefferson County’s legislators, State Sen. John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) and State Rep. John Cavaletto (R-Salem).

“We are greatly concerned by the public sentiments that have been expressed at local hearings about the proposed plant,” Jones said. “We are going to make sure that the permitting process is both thorough and complete.”

“Illinois’ EPA officials are closely monitoring the permitting process,” Cavaletto said. “I personally want to make sure that every‘t’ is crossed and every ‘i’ is dotted.”

As a practice, many legislators support corporate requests for EPA permitting. The two local lawmakers stressed that Illinois’ EPA officials will continue to hold additional hearings about the proposed plant and will take the necessary steps to ensure that permit – if issued - is issued properly. It is important that the public keep current with all of the latest developments concerning the plant.

“While we are supporting the company’s request for an EPA permit, we are insisting that every agency involved in this process conduct a thorough check on the Power Holdings’ request for a permit,” Jones concluded.

Cavaletto: Tax Increase Plan Bad for Illinois’ Economy

3/18/2009

Springfield….State Representative John Cavaletto (R – Salem) turned a thumbs-down to Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed 50% hike in the Illinois income tax following the Governor’s budget address to a joint session of the Illinois legislature on Wednesday.

“The NCAA tournament may have already started, but Governor Quinn brought his own kind of ‘March Madness’ to the capitol today,” the former basketball coach said. “In a bad economy the worst thing you can do is raise taxes on working families, and that is exactly what the Governor proposed today.”

Quinn’s budget plan would raise Illinois’ income tax from 3% to 4.5% for individuals and families that meet certain income thresholds. Additionally, Quinn has proposed raising corporate income taxes to the highest level allowable by the Illinois constitution.

“Illinois unemployment levels are at a 15-year high. There are parts of the 107^th district that have 10% unemployment rates and median income levels are at or near poverty levels,” Cavaletto said. “Raising the personal and corporate income taxes will only make already growing unemployment lines in southern Illinois even longer.”

Cavaletto pointed to past fiscal irresponsibility as the cause of the current budget mess. “For the last six years state spending has increased $6 billion. Now the Governor and the majority party want to raise taxes $7 billion to pay for their past irresponsibility,” Cavaletto said. “Before we hand a blank check to a party that has proven to be bad money managers, we should identify areas where the budget can be cut. We also need to pass a jobs and infrastructure program to ease the burden on working families.”

“Right now I find the idea of tax hikes on working people facing an already difficult economy offensive,” Cavaletto said.