To the editor:
Now that the Illinois House and Senate are in an overtime session, isn't it pretty clear to everyone that one party rule in the Illinois General Assembly doesn't work?
The Chicago Democrats control every statewide office, the House, the Senate and the Governor's Office. What have they done with this monopoly over state government? Next to nothing.
Under Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Democrats failed to approve a working state budget, failed to enact education reform, failed to pass electric rate relief for struggling consumers, failed to approve a reduction in the state sales tax on gasoline and blocked efforts to enact meaningful ethics reforms to wipe out "pay-to-play" politics in Springfield. They also failed to advance any kind of proposal for meaningful property tax relief.
Let's give the Democrats some credit. They did attempt to accomplish a few things. They tried to TRIPLE the state's gambling industry by ram-rodding at the 11th hour a bill that would make Illinois the most gambling addicted state in the union. If the Senate Democrats get the gambling plan they want, the Land of Lincoln will be poised to rake in more than TWICE the money gambling produces in Nevada!
Let's also not forget that Gov. Blagojevich--with the full support of Senate President Emil Jones--proposed the largest tax increase in Illinois history, the $7.6 billion Gross Receipts Tax.
The Democrats' Gross Receipts Tax would be passed on to the consumers and the average Illinois family would face annually $2,000 in additional state taxes.
One party rule is a bad idea. This past legislative session is a perfect example of why one party rule doesn't work. Voters should consider the notion of partisan balance the next time they vote for their state officials.
Kirk W. Dillard
R-Naperville
Senate Republican Whip
One party rule results
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