We Want to See Project List - and Payment Plan
Posted on: Saturday, 21 January 2006, 21:00 CST
When the governor's office looks at a proposed state construction program, spokesman Becky Carroll says, "Ultimately this bill would mean new roads, new schools and new mass transit along with thousands of new jobs throughout the state."
Perhaps true. But ultimately it also means the state will be another $3 billion or so in debt while still owing money to pension funds and other funds raided - or bill payments delayed - to keep the state afloat. It seems like a classic example of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
It's not even clear how Gov. Rod Blagojevich will pay for this new round of construction projects.
A two-year freeze on state construction spending has meant many worthwhile projects have been delayed - just as a business or family might delay major projects when finances are tight.
Borrowing because the state's economy looks rosier is short- sighted with the heavy pension debt looming.
It is also scary to see this happening in an election year, when the usual pressure to "bring home the bacon" will be intensified.
The warning signs are already there.
Republicans and Democrats are working together to develop a plan acceptable to both sides.
State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, is among those withholding support until he knows what projects will be part of the program.
"I have to see what's there for my district," he said. That's an understandable and expected response.
But if all lawmakers base their decisions on what's in it for their district regardless of whether their district deserves priority - the state will be stuck with another boondoggle of Build Illinois and Illinois First proportions. Needed projects will be mixed in with the equivalent of hall of fame museums and all- weather running tracks that have been part of previous construction programs.
Like many lawmakers, we want to see the list before deciding whether to support the program. But our concern is more about wasteful projects included on the list for political reasons and how the state will pay for them rather than whether communities in The Pantagraph area receive their "fair share."
Source: Pantagraph
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