News From

State Representative Ron Stephens

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2008

Contact: Rep. Stephens

618-651-0405

Stephens Votes Against Legislative Pay Raises

Springfield…. Stressing the importance of putting the needs of working families and taxpayers first, Representative Ron Stephens (R-Highland) voted in favor of a resolution rejecting a salary increase and cost of living adjustments for state legislators in the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday.

“Accountability and transparency in state government is now more important than ever,” Representative Stephens said. “At a time when hardworking Illinois families are paying a lot more for groceries, when gas is rapidly approaching $4 a gallon, at a time when skyrocketing utility costs and property taxes are making it harder than ever for families to make ends meet; we need to keep our priorities in the right place.”

House Joint Resolution 132 (HJR 132) disapproves of the Compensation Review Board’s 2008 report, which recommends cost of living adjustments and a salary increase for members of the Illinois General Assembly. The resolution was adopted in the House on Wednesday by a 94-8 vote.

“Instead of giving a pay raise to legislators, we should be providing tax relief to Illinois families to help spur economic growth and give overburdened taxpayers a break,” Stephens added. “We have legislation ready calling for a sales tax holiday over Memorial Day weekend and suspension of the state’s portion of the gasoline sales tax during the summer. I continue to emphatically urge the Speaker to call these bills for a vote so that we can keep our commitment to putting the needs of Illinois families and taxpayers first.”

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