Two local lawmakers say they expect some battles over the state budget as the current session of the General Assembly begins to wind down. Representative Mike Marron says drafting the budget is always a tough process…
AUDIO: I think we’re going to have some pretty tough debates and discussions on how the budget’s going to look. We actually had some unexpected good news on the revenue side. Revenues are up, and I personnally feel like it’s a really good opportunity to try to fix some of the problems, systemic problems, that the state’s seen for a number of years. But those discussions are going to be happening pretty hot and heavy for the next three weeks.
Senator Scott Bennett says the budget discussions have already begun.
AUDIO: We’ve been talking a lot about ways we can make sure we get the funds we need back to the communities that need it and have been hurt the most through COVID. That’s the thing that I’m interested in seeing; I’m the chair of Higher Education in the Senate, I’m interested in getting the money where it can do the most good; like Danville Area Community College and our K though 12 schools in Vermilion County. That’s where you get the most return for your investment.
As the budget preparations proceed Representative Marron said he always looks for ways to fund area and statewide infrastructure upgrades. And Marron added he also looks for opportunities that could help area economic development.
[The lawmakers were interviewed by Bill Pickett as they attended a fund-raising event in Westville for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.]
