By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The Republican leader in the Illinois Senate, Bill Brady of Bloomington, said on Wednesday he’s opposed to the idea forwarded by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker to legalize marijuana.

In his first budget address to the General Assembly, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed legalizing pot to help plug budget holes. Sen. Brady acknowledged some members of his party, including Bloomington State Senator Jason Barickman, are willing to consider the idea.

“I’ve got members of my caucus who are open to it, much because they want to be at the table and see that it’s done right, but there are many in my caucus, like myself, who feel fundamentally that what we hear from law enforcement and what we hear from the medical community is (that marijuana is) harmful to our environment,” Sen. Brady said.

In the Illinois House, Republican State Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington is encouraged by the governor’s planned five percent across-the-board budget increases for higher education. For Illinois State University, Rep. Brady said that means an extra $3.4 million.

Rep. Brady is opposed to a constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated income tax, which would increase the tax burden on people with higher income.

Rep. Brady is also not satisfied with Pritzker’s pension fix.

“It’s almost like trying to take your debt to your mortgage of your home, pay it off, and start another mortgage at a higher rate,” Rep. Brady said.

State Rep. Keith Sommer, a Republican from Morton, said Pritzker’s tax plan fell flat.

“I was somewhat surprised that even members of his side of the aisle did not applaud on a number of his tax proposals,” said Sommer.

Representatives Brady and Sommer gave Pritzker high marks for style. Sommer said he appreciated Pritzker’s positive tone and desire for civility in the General Assembly.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]