Issues on Tap
So some of the ideas put forth so far by readers that I want to address are as follows:
Property tax reform and relief
Medical marijuana
Chicago vs. Downstate (and vice-versa)
Unicameral legislatures (a la Nebraska)
I will also do something on the med-mal bill, which I anticipate the Governor will sign in the near future.
What other issues, legislative or political, do you think would make for good fodder here?
posted by Rep. John Fritchey @ 8/13/2005
10 comments
10 Comments:
A safe and sane energy policy.
Now that Congress has approved an energy bill that primarily funnels tax dollars to oil companies, coal, and nuclear power, it's up to state government if we are to have anything other than the coal plants that give us Air Pollution Action Days all summer or nuclear plants that pile up dangerous waste and pose a security risk for the population.
Public Transit
Transit, if you can avoid the homebase shrill Brown Line rhetoric. It's an environmental and economic issue for the entire region.
At some point discuss Con-Con, which will be a binding referendum on the Nov. '08 ballot.
I am a Youth highly involved in Politics (currently working on some campaigns). I will be majoring in Political Science at the University of Illinois starting in about 4 days.
You better get involved with the UIUC college dems, who have the best, brightest and most beautiful young people out of any political organization in the state.
How about a discussion of Matlak and Gabinski?
I'm a constituent who is not impressed, to put it mildly.
Care to share your views publicly?
Taxes, and what they really represent: fees for the basic stuff that most of us rely upon (e.g. roads, fire dept, police protection, public schools) but that the private sector cannot adequately and/or fairly maintain for public use.
No one, including me, really likes to pay taxes ... but everyone gets something out of 'em. That's why we need a stronger, more common-sense mix of taxes in Illinois, including a a higher income tax. A slowly recovering economy, alone, will not revive the on-the-ropes system of public services that are critical to life as we know it (or life as we would like to live it -- not with frills, but with "basics" that you can actually depend upon).
Congrats, John, on your new blog. And many thanks for your leadership in Springfield as well as Chicago.
John,
All bs aside, your speech on the floor regarding the med-mal bill was one of the best Ive ever heard. "...It's not fair, it's not right, it's not legal...". Good stuff! This blog is a good idea. Just make sure that you count to ten and take some deep breaths before you post. I'm hoping that you stay in the legislature. we need you there.
Re: the Med-Mal bill. Whether you like it or not (you don't), the governor should stop playing games and sign it. It was, afterall, passed by the majorities of both houses and he has promised to sign it. So do it.
You and your colleagues who did not like it can work on additional reforms in coming sessions to fix what you didn't like about this one and to help bring about permanent reform.
But the people of Illinois, the medical providers in Illinois, and the majorities in both houses of the G.A. want this one, at least for now, because it is some relief and progress.
ed funding, union's and biz participation in the politicaal process
<< Home