From State Representative Litesa E. Wallace
For Immediate Release: For More Information:
Aug. 16, 2017 State Rep. Litesa E. Wallace
815-987-7433
Wallace Opposes Governor's Attempt to Redirect Funds from Local Schools to Wealthy Districts
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, released the following statement after voting against legislation mirroring the governor's education funding plan, which would have hurt local schools in order to benefit wealthy districts:
"Today I voted against the governor's proposed changes to education funding because it takes away the promise of fair funding for our state's schools. The governor's plan is worse than the status quo; beneath all the governor's political spin, his plan of picking winners and losers is nothing more than an attempt to further enrich his wealthy school districts at the expense of our communities.
"Long-term, the proposal I opposed would have hurt Rockford schools and local taxpayers. In addition to removing funding protections that were found in the fair education funding reform legislation I helped put on his desk, the governor's plan would shift pension costs onto our area's taxpayers. It would force our community to choose between investing in economic development, or investing in our children's education. The governor's proposal even ignores the concept of inflation, and its effect on the true cost of education.
"The reality is the governor introduced a phony education plan, that if implemented would be devastating on local taxpayers. It would pave the way for a massive property tax hike on families that are already paying skyrocketing bills, while assisting wealthier school districts in other parts of the state.
"Senate Bill 1 in its original form was a thought out, bipartisan plan that will assist Rockford students now and moving forward. It has the support of our region's education leaders, and I encourage members on both sides of the aisle to come together immediately and override the governor's veto so that our children, parents and educators can rest easy knowing they have a secure future."
###