State Rep. Brady critical of MAP funding bill

Posted on May 18, 2016
Dan Brady
This is not the first bill State Rep. Dan Brady has criticized for not having a funding source. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House passed a measure to fully fund Monetary Award Program grants Tuesday, but the move is being criticized by House Republicans.

The bill passed by a 68-45 vote. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) said, unlike the stopgap legislation passed a few weeks ago, this bill does not have a funding source.

“I want to support MAP grant funding, but unfortunately this bill does not do it,” said Brady. “You can’t take $227 million of money you don’t have and tell students that that’s going to be put towards their MAP grants.

“That’s simply not fair. It’s not the truth. And it won’t be funded that way.”

Brady added this would add to the current unpaid bills which are costing the state nearly $1 billion in interest charges. He wanted to see Democrats and Republicans to come together like they did last month and provide funding with a monetary source.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…