Walker calls on Legislature to override Quinn AV, revises campaign approach

From Illinoize online
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

CARBONDALE -- Democrat Jeremy Walker called on the Illinois General Assembly Wednesday to override Gov. Pat Quinn's amendatory veto that would restore the $100 million cut from higher education.

Walker, an attorney from Red Bud challenging Republican state Sen. David Luechtefeld in the Nov. 2 election, made the call from the Student Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale flanked by state Sen. John Sullivan, a Rushville based Democrat who chairs the Appropriations II Committee.

Quinn's amendatory veto cut higher education by 7 percent of its fiscal year 2010 funding levels bringing it to an allocation not seen since 1999.

Walker also touted what he calls a "One-Third/Two-Third Funding Formula" for schools, which would direct 33 percent of the state allocation for education to higher education and 66 percent for K-12.

"I wish I had thought of it," Sullivan said during his remarks.

Walker said he would work to find ways for the state to release promised dollars to higher education in a more timely manner. He went as far to say new revenue is needed to support education programs, but would not specify if that meant new taxes or cuts from other parts of the budget.

No one wants to raise taxes, but it might be necessary if spending cuts following a thorough review of the state budget did not muster sufficient funds for education, he said.

Though he admitted he was not as versed on the legislation, Walker said he had a problem with the much acclaimed HB 174 because it did not restrict lawmakers from starting new programs with those allocated tax dollars. He said new programs should only be started after the state has taken care of it prior obligations.

Click here for full story.