The Illinois House of Representatives today passed House Resolution 158 to expand on previous work to make sure this year’s revenue is spent in the best interests of taxpayers by adopting a responsible plan to spend excess state revenue above estimates agreed to by both parties earlier this month to pay down the backlog of state bills.
House Resolution 158 suggests a new standard be put into place when dealing with the state budget. The House has previously agreed on a bipartisan budget estimate for next year and today’s resolution suggests that all revenue brought in above and beyond that estimate in 2012 be sent directly to pay the backlog of bills.
“We didn’t get into this debt overnight and we do not expect there will be enough revenue this year to pay down the state’s obligations, but if extra money is brought in, HR 158 suggests it should be used to pay bills,” said State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Naperville).
House Resolution 110 passed the House March 8th; it states that revenues for the next fiscal year be estimated at $33.2 billion, $700 million less than Governor Quinn estimated in his February budget address.
“The governor shouldn’t even be considering spending money on new programs and expansions until every dime we owe to taxpayers and vendors is paid in full,” said Rep. Connelly.
