SE Illinois News

A politically created crisis over state K-12 funding continues despite Gov. Bruce Rauner doing what had to be done to end it, Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) said on his website recently.

"Sadly, the clock continues to tick on a the eve of a new school year, which has prompted several area superintendents to question how long they are able to keep their district's doors open without state funds," Fowler said in his post.

Senate Bill 1, the funding measure, was approved by the General Assembly two months ago but not sent to Rauner until July 31 – a delay many Republicans have called a crisis manufactured by majority Democrats.

Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg)

Fowler supported Rauner’s amendatory veto of SB1, which stripped the measure of additional funding for Chicago Public Schools that he deemed unfair. The bill has since been returned to the Legislature, which can accept it, attempt an override it or do nothing, which would effectively kill the bill.

In addition to updating constituents on the ongoing school funding battle, Fowler also noted that he met with representatives from the Illinois Truckers Association to learn about the challenges they are facing. At a recent round table, he said he discussed fuel blending taxation, fees, permits and licensing with representatives from more than a dozen trucking businesses. The group also discussed road safety, a pertinent topic in light of recent traffic incidents in southern Illinois.