State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) has been appointed to a new Senate committee charged with reducing the state’s massive budget deficit. The bipartisan Committee on Deficit Reduction, consisting of five Republican and five Democratic lawmakers, will investigate ways of closing Illinois’ budget shortfall, which experts warn exceeds $5 billion.

Syverson, a longtime member of the Senate Appropriations Committees, believes the committee should start by examining state spending, which increased by more than $5 billion under the administration of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

“The fiscal crisis we are facing today is the direct result of the reckless, ‘spend-and-borrow’ policies of Rod Blagojevich and his legislative allies,” Syverson said. “Under their watch, state spending increased by 23 percent without sound revenue streams to pay for it. If we are serious about restoring fiscal discipline to our state government, we need to start with curbing spending and living within our means.”

The committee is expected to take testimony from a wide range of state officials and budget experts to determine what spending can be reduced, and how to make better use of taxpayer dollars. It is expected to unveil its recommendations in late March.

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is seeking to open up Illinois’ political process, sponsoring a proposal clarifying election laws and easing requirements for candidates to run for office.

Under Senate Bill 283, candidates for one party would be allowed to stay on the ballot, even if they previously voted in another party’s primary. The legislation is the result of a recent controversy in DuPage County that saw a candidate kicked off the Democratic Party’s general election ballot because he had previously voted in a Republican primary.

The legislation would also require local and statewide election offices to hand out a candidate information sheet informing them where to go to find information on a wide-range of election procedures, including ballot and petition requirements. Syverson is advancing this initiative following a host of recent incidents in Winnebago County in which candidates saw their petitions challenged for various reasons.

“This is all about opening up the political process, and ensuring a free and robust political discourse,” Syverson said. “This legislation will make it easier for candidates to run for office by giving them better access to the information necessary to prevent challenges to their petitions and candidacies. Voters across Illinois are understandably frustrated with the political climate in our state. If we are serious about reforming Illinois politics, this legislation is a simple and easy way we can start.”

State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says proposals being floated by legislative Democrats to raise gas and cigarette taxes would have a devastating effect on state-line businesses.

Instead, the senator believes lawmakers should focus on cutting government spending to balance the state budget, which faces a current shortfall of around $4 billion.

“Illinois isn’t facing a budget crisis because people are taxed too little, our budget crisis is the result of a state government that spends too much,” Syverson said.” We are currently spending $6 billion annually more than we did just six years ago and have very little to show for it.” Asking drivers and smokers to pick up the tab for six years of fiscal mismanagement by the majority party is unfair and wrong.”

Syverson said that not only taxpayers but gas stations and convenience stores would be hit hard by the proposed tax hikes, which would see cigarette taxes increase by about $1 per pack, and gas taxes raised by between 8 and 20 cents a gallon.

“Raising gas and cigarette taxes this much will only serve to drive consumers across state lines for better bargains,” Syverson said. “These proposed hikes will make Illinois’ gas and cigarette taxes higher than those in our neighboring states, and will devastate the small business community in Winnebago County, especially those who rely on gas and cigarette sales.”

The Rockford senator said he is disappointed budget discussions have so far focused exclusively on tax hikes, rather than ending the state’s surging spending.

“Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” Syverson said. “The revenues we’re talking about under the Democrats’ gas and cigarette tax hikes don’t even come close to paying for a new capital construction program, much less balancing our budget. If we truly want to bring fiscal responsibility back to state government, cutting spending is where we need to start.”

With tax deadlines fast approaching, military families can take advantage of free tax assistance and guidance from local CPA representatives, according to State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford).

The Illinois CPA Society will match military personnel and/or their family members with CPA volunteers in their area who will provide free personal federal and state income tax preparation assistance. Volunteers will help qualified persons take full advantage of the tax benefits, exclusions and filing extensions available to them.

“I encourage service members and their families to take advantage of this valuable service,” Syverson said. “This is a great opportunity for military families to get helpful tips on filing their returns, and what tax benefits they can receive.”

To qualify, U.S. Armed Forces personnel must have served in a combat zone or hazardous duty area, and must be current Illinois residents. Application forms are available on the Illinois CPA’s Web site at www.icpas.org/forms.aspx?ekfrm=2244.

For more information, service members and their families can call 1-800-993-0407, extension 277.