SPRINGFIELD, IL–(ENEWSPF)–February 16, 2011. Today, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights), called attention to legislation he recently introduced to create a special bicameral commission tasked with investigating nearly all forms of state spending and making binding recommendations on areas where spending should be reduced.
“As our state continues to edge toward an economic recovery and as legislators continue working to get our fiscal house in order, we must investigate all possible ways to live within our means,” DeLuca said. “As chairman of this new bipartisan commission tasked with making recommendations on further spending cuts, I look forward to the opportunity to help substantially reduce unnecessary state spending, eliminate red tape and streamline government. The commission is also tasked with monitoring the performance of agencies and other entities receiving taxpayer dollars and ensuring they perform in the most cost-effective ways possible.”
House Bill 1512 creates the Commission on Taxpayer Oversight and Reduction of State Spending, a bipartisan panel comprised of members of the House and Senate. This legislation sets for the legal mandate of the commission to: conduct investigations; review the governor’s budget in an effort to make recommendations for further spending cuts; review agency spending and grant recipients; review proposals to reduce state and local spending by eliminating mandated spending; and study proposals to consolidate agencies.
Additionally, the bill specifies that the Commission will conduct at least one public hearing and have the power to issue reports. The governor would be required to respond, in writing, within 30 calendar days after the reports are produced.
“The development of the Commission is a direct result of my talks with Governor Quinn, and I am pleased that the governor mentioned the formation of this group in his budget address today, as one of the main pillars of his plan to cut unneeded and wasteful state spending,” DeLuca said. “The state’s fiscal condition demands that we think outside the box and do everything we can to be wise and prudent when dealing with the allocation of tax dollars, and this Commission will help us achieve that priority.”
House Bill 1512 currently awaits action by the House Rules Committee.
Source: State Representative DeLuca
