The work of the Illinois legislature matters. The Illinois Policy Institute publishes an annual vote card, which I edit. The 2011 mid-year installment has been released.
Policy changes lives. Legislation that lowers the cost of living and doing business in Illinois makes life better across the state. Legislation that gives children better educational opportunities can transform the futures of families and communities.
But legislation that increases taxes, drives up public debt or limits economic opportunity can destroy a family’s dream, even sending a family packing for another state.
Votes matter…
Almost all state lawmakers discuss responsible spending, belt-tightening, creating good schools and restoring integrity to Illinois government. Votes should match the rhetoric. There are many lawmakers who champion job creation and the principles of liberty in their words and their actions. The 2011 Legislative Vote Card highlights the actions of Illinois lawmakers at the crucial moments when they are asked to vote.
My colleagues and I looked at 17 floor votes in the Illinois House and Senate, dating back to the January 2011 veto session of the outgoing 96th General Assembly. Tax hikes. Education Reform. Open Government. Job Creation. All were impacted in important ways by the work of the Illinois legislature.
On the votes that matter most, a number of legislators are carrying perfect scores so far in 2011.* Let’s hope they keep it up. Later this month, the legislature will convene for a brief fall session. Issues vital to Illinois’s future could be on the table, including pension reform.
* In the House, Reps. Jason Barickman, Dan Brady, Adam Brown, John Cavaletto, Sandy Cole, Roger Eddy, Norine Hammond, David Harris, Kay Hatcher, Chad Hays, Dwight Kay, Renee Kosel, David Leitch, Bill Mithcell, Don Moffitt, Tom Morrison, Rich Morthland, Chris Nybo, David Reis, Chapin Rose, Wayne Rosenthal, Pam Roth, Jim Sacia, Tim Schmitz, Keith Sommer, Joe Sosnoski, Mike Tryon, Mike Unes, and Dave Winters all are carrying perfect scores.
In the Senate, Sens. Pam Althoff, Tim Bivins, Shane Cultra, Dan Duffy, Christine Johnson, Darin LaHood, Sam McCann, Kyle McCarter, Matt Murphy, Sue Rezin, Dale Righter, Suzi Schmidt, and Dave Syverson are batting 1.000
A surprising number of the names above are freshmen. In legislatures it’s common for freshmen to be shielded from consequential votes–you’ll typically see a lot of excused absences or non-votes–because those votes can be controversial. So its heartening to see a number of new members to step forward to be a part of legislation that matters.