SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Republicans have picked a freshman lawmaker from Edwards to help shape the Illinois budget in their vision.
93rd District Representative Travis Weaver (R-Edwards) has been named to the Illinois House Republican budget team by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie. Morine Hammond of Macomb was chosen as the Chief Budgeteer while Amy Elik of Alton was named Deputy Budgeteer.
Weaver this week touted his experience working in finance and strategy at Caterpillar, and executive roles at start-up businesses, as perspectives he can bring to the budget team.
Weaver says businesses of all types want the same thing in order to grow in Illinois.
“Whether it’s a business with 100,000 people, or a business working to hire their first employee, all these job creators share a common call for tax reform in Illinois,” Weaver said.
Weaver added that high taxes, high energy prices, and over regulation makes it difficult for businesses to overcome and grow in Illinois.
Weaver believes the biggest priorities should be tax reform and disciplined spending.
“Because competitive taxes and smart spending spur more growth, which spreads out the burden on all of us,” Weaver said.
Weaver said tax reform can help support entrepreneurs, which can help the state out of its current financial troubles.
He also noted the need to turn around the loss of population in the state in recent years.
Hammond laid out some proposals the Republican budget team would like to see implemented. Some of the tax reform proposals include eliminating the franchise tax on employers and property tax relief on families and businesses. Other budget proposals include adopting revenue estimate to base a budget off of, and respecting the voter’s rejecting the Graduated Income Tax Hike.
The Democrats have also gone to the Peoria area for their budget vision. 92nd District Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) was named as their lead budget negotiator.
In a statement, Gordon-Booth says she appreciates the faith her colleagues have put in her.
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