CHICAGO — Following Governor Rauner’s veto of the Debt Transparency Act (House Bill 3649) Friday afternoon, newspapers across the state have joined Comptroller Mendoza in calling for the General Assembly to override his veto of this common-sense transparency measure.
Transparency veto reasoning not acceptable
Jacksonville Courier-Journal | 8.21
“…the Debt Transparency Act, one of the more sensible bills to come out of the House this session. In addition to the tangible debt to people and businesses, it would allow taxpayers to see the enormous amount of money being spent in penalties and late payment fees — estimated to have been about $800 million in the last fiscal year…
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the measure Friday. In doing so, he said providing this information monthly would create more work for departments. That’s not satisfactory. Pardon us if we seem uncaring about government workers having to push a few more buttons or take a few more hours out of their monthly schedule in the name of transparency. Taxpayers are having to work harder than ever to pay the debt, and they deserve to know the realities of state finances down to the penny…
Lawmakers on both sides of the political fence need to do what is best for taxpayers: Demand accountability and override this veto."
General Assembly needs to override veto of Debt Transparency Act
Springfield Journal-Register | 8.19
“We’re somewhat baffled that Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed the legislation. He was a successful businessman prior to becoming governor, and this is the type of common-sense reform he has championed since getting into politics … We encourage the General Assembly to override the governor’s veto and get this long overdue, best-practice accounting policy in place."
The Better Government Association’s Madeleine Doubek
Chicago Sun-Times | 8.21
"Rauner … was wrong to veto HB 3649, a bill that would provide more frequent and accurate information about state debt. The bill would require agencies under the governor’s control to report monthly to the comptroller the amount of bills not yet turned in, as well as the amount of interest penalties on those overdue bills … The Illinois House is expected to try to override Rauner’s veto of the debt transparency bill Wednesday. Here’s hoping it succeeds.”
Make Debt Transparency Act law
Quad City Times | 6.21
"If Rauner does whip out his veto pen, expect words like 'onerous' in the message. It would be a bunk excuse, a dodge that neglects the bill's obvious links to good budgeting, in either the public or private sector. This could be a moment for Republicans in the General Assembly should Rauner veto DTA. Those who originally supported DTA -- including Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, must stick by their positions and stand up to pressure from the governor's office."
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