Springfield - State Senator Dan Rutherford voiced his concerns about the Governor-s plan to mortgage the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.
-Mortgaging the Thompson Center is extremely inappropriate. It gives us cash today, but we have to pay it back later,- said Rutherford. -He wants to mortgage the state building and add a loan payment to the State budget for the next 10 years. This is just another scheme to bring quick cash to the State. What we need are long-term solutions that actually fix our fiscal problems. Mortgaging the Thompson Center is just another band-aid to cover up the real problems.-
Still, Rutherford sees some possibility in the Governor-s plans. Conceptually, Rutherford agrees with the plan to consolidate state agencies and offer early retirement, but he wants to see more details.
-Consolidation of state agencies is an excellent idea, but I want to see more details,- Rutherford said. -I am in favor of streamlining government as long as it operates more efficiently. I don-t want to see needed services falling through the cracks.-
Rutherford also voiced some concerns over the Governor-s flip flop on early retirement. -Last year, the Governor-s Office voiced concerns about the early retirement proposal,- Rutherford said. -While I agree with his plan to again offer early retirement, I want to know what made him change his mind. Why is he offering this now after criticizing the mass exodus last year?-
