Dupage Policy Journal

Rep. David Olsen (R-Downers Grove) is calling on state legislators to find a budget solution that does not rely solely on tax increases, according to a post on his website recently.

“Our schools, colleges and universities, social service providers, businesses and all our residents need the certainty that only a comprehensive balanced budget can provide,” Olsen wrote. “We cannot repeat the same mistakes of the past and rely only upon tax increases on working families to solve the budget mess. Our State must change the way we do business.

The General Assembly failed to send Gov. Rauner a budget before the end of the spring legislative session and now must do so before the end of the current fiscal year if it hopes to avoid severe repercussions. The current special session, called by Rauner so that lawmakers can work toward an agreement, will end before July 1.

“I am pleased that House and Senate Republican leaders and rank-and-file members continue to introduce legislation to achieve a balanced budget with reforms,” Olsen wrote. “Yet Speaker Madigan has not allowed us one opportunity to vote on a comprehensive budget since I began my tenure in the House last year. I remain ready to do the difficult work necessary to make a balanced budget a reality prior to the start of the new state fiscal year on July 1. Let’s get back to the table and get this done.”