Senator Andy Manar (Archived photo)
SPRINGFIELD — With yesterday’s ruling from a Cook County judge who ordered that the comptroller cannot pay state employees without an enacted fiscal year 2016 budget, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) says lawmakers shouldn’t get paid either until the impasse is settled.
“It is unconscionable to me that working men and women: nurses, child care workers, state police officers and secretaries—people with families and loved ones at home who depend on them—will not be paid because of a continued budget impasse while elected officials continue to take home their pay,” Manar said.
“It isn’t right,” Manar added, “And I won’t stand by and quietly watch it happen. Legislators need to show strong solidarity with state workers and not accept pay until this situation is resolved.”
Legislators need to show strong solidarity with state workers and not accept pay until this situation is resolved
“I am very frustrated that state employees are being put directly between the General Assembly and Governor Rauner as arguments over the budget continue in Springfield,” Manar said.
Manar says the Illinois Senate has taken repeated steps to make sure state employees are paid. He noted that the Senate passed a budget on time prior to the May 31 deadline. That budget was vetoed by Rauner.
In addition, the Senate passed a temporary budget to fund essential services and avoid a complete government shutdown. That legislation is pending in the House.
“There is no question that the state’s financial situation is dire,” Manar said. “But instead of working to forge consensus and lead our state to compromise, Governor Rauner has doled out extravagant salaries to his staff, slashed taxes for corporations and proposed unbalanced budgets that skip pension payments and enact deep cuts for seniors, veterans, children and the disabled.”
Despite Rauner’s veto, Manar said he is committed to working toward fiscally responsible solutions to the budget impasse that fund priorities for the 48th District.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There are plenty of ways to keep up on BenGil news:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
Follow us on Twitter for the fastest breaking news updates and score updates
Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take