Candidates talk spending, taxes

Here's what 48th District state representative candidates Mike Connelly and Joe Heneghan have to say about key issues:

How would you work to get a capital bill passed? Connelly: "There are a number of ways we can fund it. There's been a diversion of money from the road fund (but) we need to stick to that. When we go to the pump and pay fuel taxes we know it's going to local and the state, but it's also a user fee. The governor's been diverting that money ... We need to earmark money, we can't let the $9 billion go."

Heneghan: "I think that I'm probably like other representatives and senators, in that everybody realizes there is a huge problem ... I don't think there's anyone who's not embarrassed that that's not been taken care of. I would build alliances with both Republicans and Democrats and try to push real hard for some of that because right now I don't think anyone is happy with that whole situation."

If elected to the Illinois House, what would be your top priority? Connelly: "Unfortunately the reality in Springfield today is that we have a governor and some of his pals in the General Assembly that have lost all semblance of rational thought. This means that any new member of the Illinois House must make returning some amount of civility their first priority. Once that is accomplished, my focus will be on improving transportation, creating an environment that encourages economic growth and promoting academic excellence in our public schools."

Heneghan: "My top priority would be balancing the budget. It's hard to decide what projects to fund when you don't know where the money is coming from."

Are you comfortable with the way education is funded in Illinois? Explain. Connelly: "I am suspicious of any bill coming from the Chicago Democrats called a 'tax swap.' I am concerned the only thing swapped will be more tax dollars from DuPage County to fund the bloated and under-performing Chicago public schools. I would seek approval for the auditor general to conduct a complete and thorough audit of the Chicago Public Schools and the wasteful spending."

Heneghan: "As you probably know, most education is funded at the local level. This results in control at the local level. I think some control needs to be at the state level too. Having both levels is best."

How would you ensure that revenues match expenditures in Illinois? Connelly: "I see no point in exploring the governor's new social experiments while under-funding the state's historic priorities like education and transportation. I would commit to zero-growth budgets for any programs other than education and public safety. I would also stop redirecting transportation funds away from our crumbling infrastructure into untested social programs."

Heneghan: "This is a challenge yet to be solved by more experienced statesmen than I. I think there is still room for cost cutting in both personnel and in programs. I think we need to have processes in place that validate the use of services so they are fairly utilized and not exploited."

-- Compiled by Paige Winfield