Springfield, learn from Detroit
continued from page 3

responsible approach to reforming the way we do business in Springfield. I propose:

• A two-year freeze on discretionary spending. No new programs and no expansion of existing programs for two years.

• After the two-year freeze, there shall be no new programs and no expansion of existing programs until the state’s annual payment cycle for existing obligations is 30 days.

• There shall be no new programs and no expansion of existing programs without a full pension payment per the 1995 plan implemented by Gov. Jim Edgar.

• The implementation of Pay As You Go.

Any new spending initiative must be accompanied by the revenue (or specified cuts) necessary to sustain the proposal.

• No unfunded mandates to schools or other units of government. If any proposal is important enough to mandate, then it should be important enough to fund.

Let us heed the warning provided by Detroit’s downfall. Let us do more than discuss change. Let us meet this crisis head on by enacting policies which restore the public’s trust in our government and provide the foundation for the growth of our state.

State Representative Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, has represented the 97th District in the General Assembly since December 2001 and is currently serving his fourth term in the House.