Illinois House Floor Debate — March 20, 2013

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that all Republicans are present and ready to do the work of the people."

"Yes, Mr. Speaker. For a point of personal privilege."

"In the balcony behind me is a group of juniors and seniors from high school who have been observing this chamber and visiting with many of the Constitutional Officers and Leaders. I would ask that you would welcome my youth advisory council and if they’ll stand up."

"Good afternoon and thank you, point of personal privilege."

"Up in the balcony we have what I think are the most extraordinary group of volunteers in Illinois and that is the Illinois Federation of Republican Women. If you'll stand up."

"For a point of personal privilege."

"I’d like to recognize the Class 2 State A Girls Championship Basketball team, right behind me up here in 09800032.doc 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 32nd Legislative Day 3/20/2013 the gallery, from Nashville, Illinois. The Nashville Hornets. My mother’s alma mater."

"May I rise to a point of personal privilege."

"Mr. Speaker, I am honored to introduce a Member who’s visit… former Member who’s visiting today. Down at the front we have, who, at the time of his retirement, was the longest-serving Republican in the House. He had single digits on his license plate. Our good friend back to visit, now on a county board, former Representative Ron Wait. Would you make him welcome, please."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. How are you, Sir?"

"You have great counsel next to you and so with her representation for you, I have filed several Motions to Discharge the following House Bills: 1489, 3362, 3363, 1511, 107, 2891, and 91 from the House Executive, Revenue, Labor, and Commerce Committees. And under House Rule 58(a), any Member may move that a standing committee or a special committee be discharged from consideration of any legislative measures assigned to it and not reported back unfavorably. Under House Rule 54(a)(2) all Motions are assigned Standard Debate status and I wish to debate my Motions. Upon conclusion of the debate, I ask for a recorded vote on the Motions to Discharge. Under Rule 49 and Article IV Section 8(c) of the Illinois Constitution, any vote shall be by record and whenever five Representatives so shall request. There are at least five Members on my side that wish for a recorded vote on the Motions to Discharge House Bills: 1489, 3362, 3363, 1511, 107, 2891, and 91 from the committees I’ve already mentioned." 09800032.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 32nd Legislative Day 3/20/2013

"That… that’s correct, Mr. Speaker."

"Those are withdrawn."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If you’ll indulge me a moment. A few short weeks ago, Governor Quinn stood at the podium and declared that this year’s budget will be the most difficult in memory and I certainly agree with him. Over the next two months, we’ll be asked to make some of the most difficult choices we’ve had to make since arriving in this chamber. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will need to cut spending. I and Members on my side of this aisle believe we need to start by cutting our own salaries. I ask you to join me in voting to release House Bill 3363 from the Rules Committee so that we can debate it on the floor. This legislation will reduce General Assembly salaries by 10 percent and prohibit any cost of living adjustment for fiscal year 2014. By the way, many Member ran on this issue in 2012. Not only will this cut… not only will this cut save the state money it will also show… also show families back in our district that in this time of fiscal crisis we will lead by example and that’s why they sent us here. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I would remind you that there are additional incentives that we need to move forward to this floor for debate. House Bill 107, establishing a standard making the workplace 09800032.doc 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 32nd Legislative Day 3/20/2013 primary cause for determining an injury. That’s extremely important considering that the high cost of workers' compensation insurance for employers compared to our border states is shifting job growth in Illinois. Furthermore, I’m asking that House Bill 1489 be given your consideration likewise on this floor whereby we wish to implement a 72- hour review period of the budget before a vote can be taken which is much needed with respect to the transparency to the appropriations process that we’re presently engaged in. After all, our citizens need to be informed and they need to have a clear look. I’m also asking that we discharge 3362. This will take away the extra stipend Representatives and Senators receive for serving as chairmen and Minority spokesman of standing committees. Chairing committees is an aspect of the job we were elected to do and we shouldn’t receive extra compensation from doing our job. We already receive generous salaries and quite frankly, being a chairman is an honor. Illinois, Mr. Speaker, is in financial crisis and as Members of the General Assembly we should be willing to cut our own benefits before we cut elsewhere. We were elected to lead and sometimes that means facing the pain first. This Bill will take effect at the start of the next General Assembly to avoid any constitutional issues. I’d also ask, Mr. Speaker, that we consider House Bill 2889, the research and development tax credit. One of the things Illinois has going for us today is just that, the tax credit. It’s been in effect for 20 years and frankly most businesses would very much appreciate it if it were made permanent so they can plan 09800032.doc 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 32nd Legislative Day 3/20/2013 for the future. And lastly… lastly, I think it’s very important that whatever we do though this discharge proceeding today we keep in mind that the only way we are going to work our way out of the problems that we have in this state is to cut spending and grow jobs. And the only way we can do it are by the provisions and Bills that I have suggested today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."

"House Bill 1511 takes aim at Illinois board and commission salaries by capping them at $20 thousand and removing the health benefits. We have nearly 340 boards and commissions in Illinois. A vast amount meet less than 100 times a year with full salary and benefits. The number one goal of this Bill is to end the political cronyism involved in these commission appointments. Historically, the Governor has appointed the politically connected who are drawn to the large salaries and health benefits. This is not an appropriate motivation for people serving on these commissions. Many of these commissions serve a vital function to our state such as the Workmen’s Comp… Compensation Review Board. We want to attract members who are motivated to do the work of the people and not the large salaries. With $9 billion of unpaid bills and $97 billion in unfunded pension liability, we need to be looking at every way we can to cut back. This Bill could potentially save the taxpayers millions of dollars while attracting the type of people who wish to work hard for the 09800032.doc 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 32nd Legislative Day 3/20/2013 betterment of the people of Illinois. I would also like to say that within one of our other committees Representative Jack Franks has also passed out of committee the Metra Commission in which that particular commission and salary and benefits were removed. Please discharge House Bill 1511 from Rules to the committee."

"I appreciate the Leader’s comments about the process because as I watch pensions and guns they’re all Floor Amendments and the committee process is disregarded in that respect, but for this we should adhere to the committee process when we can’t get these Bills heard. I would urge an ‘aye’ vote. These are Bills that will help the state of our state’s economy. They will provide job growth and opportunities for all of our residents. And this should pass 118 to 0. Vote ‘aye’."