State Representative Mike Marron (R-Fithian) voted ‘no’ on the new state budget that was approved by lawmakers. ‘’This budget borrows too much money and spends too much money,’’ said Marron. ‘’We know there will be an extreme decrease in revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis and the governor’s orders that shut down businesses since March.’’
Marron added, ‘’This Democrats-only budget contains a pay raise for Illinois politicians! That is outrageous! Democrats are on record supporting giving unprecedented power to Governor Pritzker, who has repeatedly shown a lack of ability to make solid decisions,’’ said Marron. ‘’That has been the case especially when it comes to the management of the unemployment system. Governor Pritzker’s administration can’t even run a website, and we are expecting him to manage $7-billion dollars?’’
Representative Marron sponsored legislation last year to remove legislative pay raises. He donated his legislative COLA last year to local charities in his district and has pledged to do the same again this year. The COLA, or legislative Cost of Living Adjustment increase is an automatic provision in the budget each year, unless the General Assembly votes to prohibit it, which is what House Bill 2695 would have done.
Marron notes the new 2021 budget spends roughly $42.9 billion dollars even though the State only expects to bring in a little over $36.8 billion dollars. And Marron says the new budget contains no fiscal reforms.
