Statement from State Representative John M. Cabello (R-Machesney Park) in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address:
Governor JB Pritzker is calling his latest budget “balanced.” That’s not leadership. That’s spin.
The truth:
• $1.23 BILLION in new revenue — including a $200 million Social Media Tax and higher casino taxes.
• $892 MILLION in Medicaid payment shifts dressed up as “savings.”
• Cuts to Higher Education and K-12 programs.
• More pressure on taxpayers who are already drowning in property taxes and energy costs.
This is not structural reform.
This is a fiscal shell game.
You don’t solve a deficit by raising taxes and pushing nearly a billion dollars in liabilities into the next fiscal year. You hide it.
Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem.
Illinois has a spending problem.
Families in Rockford, Freeport, and across this state don’t get to “shift” their mortgage to next year and call it balanced. They tighten their belts. They live within their means.
The Governor should try it.
I challenge Governor Pritzker to publicly defend these numbers — line by line — and explain why Illinois taxpayers should trust another round of budget gimmicks.
Illinois deserves honesty.
Illinois deserves discipline.
Illinois deserves better.
For questions or more information, please contact Representative Cabello’s office at (815) 974-0090.
John M. Cabello is the Assistant Minority Leader and State Representative for Illinois’ 90th House District, which includes the following communities in Winnebago, Stephenson, and Boone counties: Rockford, Machesney Park, Freeport, Roscoe, Loves Park, Rockton, South Beloit, Caledonia, Durand, Rock City, and Rockton.