SPRINGFIELD—State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below after Gov. Rauner issued an amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, a proposal that would change how Illinois schools are funded.

“Illinois has among the highest property taxes in the nation, with a majority of those local tax dollars going to schools. Reforming the school funding formula is the only serious way to provide homeowners with meaningful property tax relief.

“Gov. Rauner’s decision to veto Senate Bill 1, which shifts the burden of paying for schools from local property tax dollars onto the state, is truly disappointing. I continue to stand committed to working toward fixing a school funding system that will give homeowners meaningful property tax relief and provide adequate funding for our schools.”

SPRINGFIELD—Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to freeze legislators’ reimbursement rates and salaries was signed into law today. House Bill 643 passed both chambers with bipartisan support and had been on the governor’s desk since June 29.

“Given the state’s recent financial trouble and the fact that most working adults do not receive a cost of living adjustment, this is commonsense legislation to save taxpayers money,” Murphy said. “I’m glad the governor finally signed this bill into law.”

Without this legislation, per diem rates for legislators would have increased from $111 per day to $142 and mileage reimbursements would have climbed from $0.39 to $0.535 per mile.

General Assembly members have not received a cost of living adjustment since fiscal year 2009.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy released the statement below after the Illinois Senate voted to override Governor Rauner’s veto of the bipartisan budget proposal that passed the Senate earlier in the day.

“For over two years Governor Rauner’s refusal to participate in budget discussions and his insistence on tying non-budget items to the budget continues to put the very future of our state at risk. Centers that serve seniors and those with disabilities have closed, colleges and universities are on the threshold of losing accreditation and schools may not open this fall.

“Today’s veto threatens to put the state into junk bond status, which will ultimately cost taxpayers millions more in the long run and prevent the stability new businesses need to expand in our state. This is absolutely unacceptable. I stood up for middle-class families who have shouldered the burden of this impasse.  

“I applaud the group of lawmakers, both democrats and many republicans, who have chosen to buck the governor and provide stability for the future of our state so we can finally start to move forward on sorely needed reforms.”

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SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy released the statement below after a budget deal passed the Senate to put an end to the over two-year budget impasse.

“Today, the Senate voted for a balanced, bipartisan budget to put an end to the impasse that has threatened the future of our state.

“This budget will finally stop the financial bleeding that has cost the state of Illinois over $11 million a day, threatened to put Illinois in junk bond status, eliminated services for seniors and those with disabilities and threatened schools from opening on time. The lack of a budget prevented job growth and job creators from locating in Illinois.

“This is a budget that ensures schools open on time and road work continues. It protects middle class jobs from being eliminated and reinstates MAP grants for college and university students.

“I encourage the governor to immediately sign our proposal to prevent our state from plummeting to junk bond status and further destroying our state.”

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