Reis: Accountability is Key to Restoring State’s Fiscal Health
Reis seeks legislative approval for all new federal stimulus spending by state

February 25, 2009

Springfield, IL.…Representative David Reis filed legislation Tuesday to ensure Illinois’ billions in federal stimulus dollars be spent in a transparent and fiscally accountable manner. House Joint Resolution 19 will require the General Assembly to cast approval for any new program or spending resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“With all the federal stimulus money coming to the state, my concern is we will begin programs that will only be funded for a couple of years and then fall back upon taxpayers to financially maintain,” Reis said. “My resolution states the General Assembly must approve any new program that will be funded with federal stimulus money and must provide a sunset date corresponding with the federal funds.”

Illinois is estimated to receive anywhere from $12 to $16 billion out of the $787 billion federal stimulus package. Early reports indicate Medicaid could receive around $3 billion, over $1.7 billion for education and approximately $1.5 billion for transportation. Energy-related state projects could receive nearly $350 million for weatherization programs and energy efficiency initiatives.

“Our state needs a good, transparent and responsible way to deal with new monies or programs that might come out of a federal stimulus package,” Reis said. “Just because the state can pay for a new program with federal dollars today, doesn’t guarantee a year from now Illinois taxpayers can sustain that same level of funding.”

Please feel free to contract Rep. Reis in his Olney district office at (618) 392-0108 or visit his legislative website at www.davidreis.org.