Metro East Sun

Schmidt for Illinois has issued the following press release:

Millstadt, IL – Kevin Schmidt is issuing the following statement on the bloated $46.5 billion budget partisan Democrats approved early Saturday morning.

“Every year Governor Pritzker has been in office the state has set record spending levels and this year is no exception. The spending plan for Fiscal Year 2023 is more than $4 billion higher than the current budget.

Dr. Kevin Schmidt | Provided

The budget contains pay raises for lawmakers and fails to completely pay back Illinois’ unemployment insurance debt.

The tax relief offered in this sham budget is nothing but temporary measures that will do little to help working families. All the proof we need that these tax relief gimmicks are nothing but an election year ploy is the signage requirements for the tax breaks on food and gas. Grocery store owners are required to either post a sign about the tax break or put information about it on their store receipts. Gas stations are also required to post a sign about the six-month suspension of the expected gas tax increase. Nothing says election year scam like a state law requiring private businesses to do PR work for legislators.

Instead of addressing long-term problems facing the state of Illinois, this budget is another shortsighted, pathetic fraud on taxpayers. There are no reforms. There are no permanent tax reductions. In fact, the temporary gas tax relief included in the budget means gas taxes will go up twice next year – once in January and once in July. The voters in the 114th District should be appalled that the poor leadership of Latoya Greenwood is being rewarded with yet another pay increase. We deserve better than the inept leadership coming from Springfield.”

Kevin Schmidt is a Board-Certified Chiropractor and the owner of Schmidt Chiropractic with locations in Millstadt and Freeburg. He grew up in Belleville, IL and graduated from Belleville West High School. He ran for State Representative in the 116th during the 2020 Republican primary. Schmidt is pro-life and pro-2nd Amendment. He and his wife Laura have two boys and they reside in Millstadt, IL. He is running as a Republican in the 114th District. The primary election is June 28.