Springfield… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) today want to put state and university employees at ease about potential changes to their pension benefits. Both representatives are concerned that rumors and misinformation may lead employees to make hasty decisions before the facts are known.

“There is a lot of inaccurate and misleading rumors being spread about pension reform and I’ve heard from many constituents who are wondering if they would be better off by retiring right away,” said Bost. “While there might be changes to retirement benefits eventually, there is certainty with your active employment. As an employee you know what your salary and health benefits are and should a pension proposal be put forth and approved, employees will be given ample time to examine the options and react.”

While it is possible a pension reform bill will be forthcoming, to date there is no agreement and no legislation filed.

“The spreading of rumors is a disservice to hard working state and university employees and is causing a lot of angst,” said Phelps. “Please don’t believe everything you hear. There are many rumors circulating that simply aren’t true. First of all, there is no legislation filed. If and when reforms are adopted, there will be plenty of time for employees to review the changes and then make a decision based on actual facts.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Bost at his district office located at 300 East Main Street, Carbondale or by calling (618) 457-5787 and Rep. Phelps at his Constituent Service Office at (217) 782-5131.

Springfield, IL… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) is asking Second Amendment supporters to sign a petition supporting the passage of House Bill 148 which would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon.

“Illinois is the only state in the union without a concealed carry law in the books,” Bost said. “I am urging citizens in favor of concealed carry legislation to sign our petition urging Speaker Madigan to release conceal carry legislation out of the House Rules Committee and onto the House floor for a vote before we adjourn later this month.”

Illinois is the only state in the nation that has no procedures in place for law-abiding citizens to apply for concealed carry permits. In 2008’s Heller Decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized gun ownership as an individual right. In 2010, the Supreme Court overturned Chicago’s long-standing handgun ban, ruling that the Second Amendment limits state and local governments to the same extent that it limits the federal government.

“There has never been a better time to get conceal carry legislation on the books in Illinois. I am hoping we can garner enough signatures to get the attention of leaders from the Chicago area to get a vote this spring,” said Bost.

Representative Bost is urging Second Amendment supporters to visit his website at www.bost.ilhousegop.org to sign the conceal carry petition.

Rep. Bost may be contacted at his district office located at 300 East Main Street, Carbondale or by calling (618) 457-5787.

Click to sign the petition in support of House Bill 148

Springfield… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) is advising his fellow legislators that welfare reform must be one of the fixes the state makes to help repair the current budget mess in Illinois.

“We have had a problem in Illinois for too long that needs to be corrected,” said Bost.
“As we look at ways to cut the state budget, we should begin by passing reforms that ensure welfare is available to those truly in need and not spent on illegal immigrants or out-of-state residents.”

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) requirements include:

• Be pregnant or have a child under age 19 who lives with them. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student. A pregnant woman (and her husband, if he lives with her) may qualify for help, even if they don’t have any other children.
• Live in Illinois. You can be homeless and still qualify.
• Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements.
• Develop a plan for becoming self-sufficient and follow it.

“Sadly, and at the expense of taxpayers, there is no real enforcement of these requirements,” said Bost. “Last year, we passed into law reforms requiring individuals applying for Medicaid to show proof of Illinois residency and two pay stubs. Unfortunately, to date our Governor has refused to implement these reforms fully. Because Illinois’ enforcement is so lax there is plenty of room for fraud. If we are going to seriously reform the system and save taxpayers’ dollars, we must stop subsidizing illegal immigrants, people who live out of state, and those who can afford to stand on their own. Welfare is supposed to be a safety net – not a way of life.”

Senate Bill 1313 does not take away health care benefits

Springfield… On Wednesday, the Illinois House passed Senate Bill 1313, Amendment #9 that aims to stabilize the state’s health care system by requiring state retirees to pay a portion of their healthcare premiums.

“Today was the hardest vote I have taken in office to date, but it was the best option for our retirees that have dedicated their lives to public service,” said Bost (R-Murphysboro).   “As lawmakers we have a fiduciary duty.  We are up against the wall.  Many have said to do nothing. How can we do nothing? I get calls all the time from retirees and current state employees saying ‘my doctor will no longer take my state insurance.’  That will only get worse if we do nothing. How is that the responsible thing to do?  This is a vote for the next generation.”

Currently, there are 78,000 retirees who pay no premium for healthcare. Another 7,400 pay a portion of their premium and 36,000 dependents are enrolled but whose premium does not cover the true cost of the healthcare benefit.

“This bill does not take away retiree health care benefits,” said Bost. “This legislation protects retirees and their health care benefits from being entirely lost.”

The change puts in place a mechanism that allows the Director of CMS to determine the State’s premium payments on behalf of retired employees – including lawmakers. CMS has proposed guidelines for determining what retirees’ contributions will be based upon a sliding scale that takes into account length of service and ability to pay.  The percent of cost the retiree will pay will also be based on his or her pension level.

If the remaining payment determined for retirees is deemed unacceptable, the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (JCAR) may object.  In addition, his suggested retiree contributions will be subject to union negotiations.

Senate Bill 1313 House Amendment 9 passed through the House 74-43-0 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Click to Listen to Bost Speak on SB 1313

Springfield… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) released the following statement in response to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) votes to keep the Tamms Correctional Center and Warren G. Murray Developmental Center open.

“COGFA members made a wise decision in voting to keep the Tamms Correctional Center and Murray Developmental Center open. The Governors plan to execute the closures is formatted in an unrealistic manner and timeframe.

Tamms is a facility that deters the violence through our other correctional facilities; violence against the guards, violence against the inmates and violence against outsiders from gangs.

Murray Center has the most needy people and the families there depend on that facility to care and provide for unfortunate individuals who would be otherwise helpless.

We have to continue to convince Governor Quinn that these two state facilities must remain open.”

Click to hear Rep. Bost discuss the vote……..

Springfield… House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) has appointed State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) Floor Leader for the House Republican Caucus. The Republican Floor Leader is in charge of organizing and overseeing caucus activity during floor debate.

“This is a great opportunity for me to help the Republican Caucus,” said Bost. “Leader Cross has entrusted in me with the responsibility to ensure bills on the floor are properly debated and parliamentary rules are followed accurately.”

The Republican Floor Leader has the primary responsibility of addressing issues of parliamentary procedure and represents the caucus on procedural matters and floor debates.

“Floor Leader is an important position to the House Republican Caucus,” said Bost. “I am honored Leader Cross has chosen me and I look forward to bringing my experience to the position.”

State Representative Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) and State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) will join Rep. Bost as Floor Leaders for the House Republican Caucus.

Springfield… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) voted to move forward with a bi-partisan budget blueprint that reduces state spending and puts Illinois on the path to economic recovery.

“The days of spending beyond our means have come to an end.  I am pleased my colleagues on the other side of the aisle agree we need to work together to get our fiscal house in order.  The framework we passed today is very aggressive and many will be unhappy.  However, if we succeed, years of damage from program expansions and overspending will be repaired and fiscal stability will finally return to our state.”

Amendment #2 to House Resolution 706 establishes a limit on how much the Illinois General Assembly can spend on programs and services in FY13.   House lawmakers agreed to limit spending to $32.9 billion – that is less than last year and less than Governor Pat Quinn proposed back in February.  Secondly, the resolution set aside $1.5 billion to pay down old bills and will require a 25 percent cut in Medicaid spending.  It also fully funds the state’s obligated pension payment for FY13 which is $5.1 billion.

“With Republicans at the table, we will have a say in where the cuts occur and hopefully prevent some of the facility closures downstate.  The cuts must be fair and Chicago must share in the pain,” said Bost.  “Cutting programs and services that people rely on is never easy – but the reality is if we don’t cut now, our problems will only continue to get worse,” said Bost.

Carbondale… State Senator David Luechtefeld (R-Okwaville) and State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) are making preparations to help save four state facilities Governor Quinn proposed to close in his annual budget address.

“Senator Luechtefeld and I are working together to stop Governor Quinn’s proposal to close four state facilities in Southern Illinois, but we need help,” Bost said. “Visit our websites and sign our petitions urging the Governor to reconsider his plan to close these facilities. Once we have collected the signatures, we will personally hand-deliver them to the Governor and our colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly.”

“We have been down this road last year with the IYC and Chester Mental Health Center and again we are headed this direction – towards closures,” Luechtefeld said. “Representative Bost and I are committed to these facilities and working with local officials to prevent these closures. Again, the Quinn administration is advancing a plan that appears to have very little preparation behind it. We are confident the communities will rally behind their facilities again and hopefully change the course that Governor Quinn has laid out.”

The four facilities Governor Quinn plans to close include; The Adult Transitional Center in Carbondale, Tamms Correctional Center, the Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro and the Illinois State Police Forensics Lab in Carbondale.

“These facilities are important to our economy,” Bost said. “Over 325 hard working men and women would lose their job if these facilities are forced to close. Governor Quinn must forgo his actions if he wants to avoid creating excessive hardships on the families of Southern Illinois.”

Petitions to help save the four facilities may be found in both Rep. Bost and Sen. Luechtefeld’s district offices and/or by visiting bost.ilhousegop.org or luechtefeld.senategop.org.

The Quinn Administration filed the facility closures last week and will release more information on COGFA hearings in the near future.

Click here to view petition for Tamms Correctional Center

Click here to view petition for Illinois Youth Center

Click here to view petition for Adult Transitional Center

Click here to view petition for ISP Forensic Science Centre

Carbondale, IL…Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) will host an Illinois Cares Rx Sign-Up at his office in Carbondale on March 6^th & 7^th – registration is required.  Illinois Cares Rx provides prescription drug assistance to low-income seniors and disabled persons.  The program also lowers the cost of co-pay for low income senior and disabled citizens.

“This program improves the lives of seniors by giving them the ability to purchase needed prescriptions,” said Bost. “I invite low income seniors and disabled Illinoisans who qualify, to take advantage of this cost lowering prescription drug service by calling my office and registering for this sign-up,” said Rep. Mike Bost. 

Rep. Bost’s Sign-Up is in conjunction with the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging.  Registration is required for this event.  Seniors must bring the following information:

1. Proof of 2011 Income.
2. Property tax, mobile home tax, rent or nursing home cost for 2011.
3. Red, White & Blue Medicare Identification Card.

 Please call (618) 457-5787 to register for this event.

 Who:  Rep. Mike Bost & the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging

What:  IL Cares Rx Sign-Up

When:  March 6^th & 7^th

Where:  300 E. Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62901

Registration is required:  (618) 457-5787

Springfield… Today, Governor Pat Quinn delivered Illinois’ budget address outlining his budget plan for FY13. The proposal included increased spending, additional facility closures and state agency reductions. State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) was dissatisfied with Governor Quinn’s budget plan that included closing four state facilities, three within his district.

“The four facilities Quinn plans to close are vital to the community and surrounding areas,” Bost said. “We need to communicate to Governor Quinn that he cannot keep closing state facilities in communities where the facilities provide significant economic support.” 

The four state facilities being targeted by Governor Quinn include the Adult Transitional Center in Carbondale, the Juvenile Center in Murphysboro, an Illinois State Police Forensic Lab in Carbondale and Tamms Super Maximum Correction Center just outside Rep. Bost’s district near Cairo. The closures are all apart of Governor Quinn’s budget plan to cut 9 percent of state agencies.

“Governor Quinn abolished Illinois’ death penalty and now wants to close the only lever we have (Tamms) to protect Illinois citizens from the most vicious criminals,” Bost said. “Closing Tamms would not only put the citizens of Illinois at risk, but the guards at the prisons these criminals are transferred to. We must put pressure on Governor Quinn and his administration to keep these facilities open.”

The Quinn Administration said they would have more details on closure dates and COGFA hearings in the near future.