Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.
March 15, 2010
Governor’s Budget Rejected
Illinois’ Pension Debt Tops National Study
Where to Cut State-Budget
Bill Action Highlights
A Real Program Success
Volunteer Service Award
Governor’s Budget Rejected
The analysis of the Governor’s brief budget address last week began immediately in the rotunda where media peppered legislators with questions. The responses I noted with interest were from the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. In essence they said it contained some interesting ideas but don’t expect us to support any of them. The budget was rejected.

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.
March 8, 2010
Topics this week:
·        Ag Fees to Increase
·        General Assembly May Cut Scholarships
·        Medicaid Managed Care Plan Explained
·        Exercise Gives Brain Power
·        Youth Council Studies Government
·        Remembering our Troops
·        NIU Speaks Frankly About Funding
·        Budget Address Begins Process
Ag Fee Increases To Keep the Lights On
Budget cuts and fund sweeps over the past three years have left the Department of Agriculture unable to conduct its regulatory and inspection functions.  To keep many businesses operating, user fees were increased by legislation that passed out of the House last week.
An estimated [...]

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

February 22, 2010
To the casual observer, this past week’s House debates may have seemed brief and surprisingly dull.  Many people from around the state came to Springfield hoping to see some debate on the budget and our fiscal crisis.  The conductor of the session calendar (Speaker Madigan) isn’t going to let that happen.  Days are full of committee meetings so bill sponsors have to run from committee to committee to present their legislation and are preoccupied.
In reality, this time of year in Springfield is all about meetings and [...]

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.
February 15, 2010
School children in the House gallery last week witnessed a lesson in how democracy works in Illinois that isn’t taught in textbooks.  House Speaker Michael Madigan refused to let HB 5008—a bill that would limit legislative leader influence, power and control—be debated on the House floor.
House rules have been shaped by Madigan over his 30 years in control of the chamber as Speaker or majority leader.  Those rules give him near dictatorial power in the chamber including requiring a unanimous agreement to discharge any bill [...]