Democrats’ reform-lite proposal fails in Illinois House

Springfield… With the deadline to pass redistricting reform rapidly approaching, State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) is calling for a vote on the Fair Map proposal backed by the League of Women Voters and newspapers across the state.

“Fair Map is the only real redistricting reform proposal out there,” Bost said.  “It is the only reform proposal that takes redistricting out of the hands of lawmakers and turns it over to an independent commission.  We need to pass Fair Map now.”

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http://dailyegyptian.com/2010/04/26/voters-want-cuts-without-buts/

Jeff Engelhardt | Daily Egyptian

Posted: April 26, 2010 at 9:51 pm

Registered voters in southern Illinois want the state to cut waste and inefficiency in government — just not from most public services, education or state parks.

The dilemma of southern Illinoisans’ want for cuts but uncertainty from where was shown in a report released by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute as part of its Southern Illinois Poll. The poll surveyed 401 registered voters from the 18 southernmost counties in the state. Continue reading »

By Mike Riopell and Chris Essig, The Southern Springfield Bureau

http://thesouthern.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_6fe6661c-2cc4-11df-96f2-001cc4c002e0.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StatelineorgRss-TaxesBudget+(Stateline.org+RSS+-+Taxes+%26+Budget)

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to raise the income tax rate 33 percent to pay for schools didn’t find many fans among local lawmakers Wednesday.

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Carbondale… The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday struck down an important medical malpractice reform law enacted to ensure access to quality health care.  State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) called the court’s decision a disservice to the people of southern Illinois.

“Clearly, medical malpractice reform was working as intended,” Bost said.  “Doctors were staying in Illinois and rates were going down.  The Supreme Court’s decision will turn back the clock on reform.” 

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Springfield… After listening to Governor Pat Quinn’s State-of-the-State speech, State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) indicated that much more must be done to get Illinois back on track.

“While Governor Quinn highlighted some of the good things that we’ve done in the last year, such as the capital jobs program, there’s no question that Illinois is still on shaky ground,” Bost said.  “Our economy continues to struggle and too many people are out of work.  We’ve got to address the budget crisis and find a way to pay our bills.” Continue reading »

Vienna… Following on the heels of a state audit that showed a drastic increase in overtime hours at Illinois correctional facilities, two southern Illinois lawmakers outlined a plan that would save jobs and money within the Department of Corrections.

State Representatives Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) discussed their plan outside the Vienna Correctional Center on Tuesday.  Governor Pat Quinn recently announced a series of layoffs at prisons throughout Illinois as part of his Fiscal Year 2010 budget cuts, including 50 layoffs at Vienna.   

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Economic Stimulus Plan Will Create Nearly 500,000 Jobs

Springfield… After several years of back-and-forth debate in Springfield, Illinois lawmakers finally approved passage of a $26 billion capital jobs program to create jobs and improve the state’s aging infrastructure system.

State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) voted for the capital jobs program because of the major projects included for southern Illinois.

“We’re dealing with serious economic problems and people throughout Illinois are hurting,” Bost said. “Capital will give our economy a much-needed shot in the arm. It will put people back to work and help improve our roads, schools and communities.”

On Thursday evening, the Illinois House of Representatives approved the capital jobs program, which had previously passed the Senate. The legislation now goes to Governor Quinn for his approval.

“Southern Illinois does very well under the new capital program,” said Bost. “SIU will benefit tremendously from capital. And DuQuoin will finally get the $10 million for school construction that they’ve been waiting on for seven years. This is a great bill for our area.”

Among the many projects being funded by the capital jobs program are the following:

• $56 million to build the Transportation Education Center (TEC) at SUI
• $18 million for the renovation of Morris Library at SUI
• $4 million for the renovation and addition to the Communications Building at SUI
• $10 million to DuQuoin CUSD 300 for school construction
• More than $100 million for road and bridge improvements throughout the 115th District

Listen here to hear Mike on working with the new governor.

In light of the serious federal criminal charges filed against Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, I am currently co-sponsoring House Resolution 1644 calling for impeachment proceedings to begin immediately against Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.

Please join me in demanding that Speaker Michael Madigan immediately initiate impeachment hearings in the Illinois House by adding your name to the petition by clicking here.

For information on flooding, visit IEMA’s website by clicking here.

For information on low interest loans for flood victims, visit IL Treasurer’s website by clicking here.

Or call the Flood Hotline at 1-866-523-0641.