LAUZEN NAMED TO FINANCIAL COMMITTEES IN STATE SENATE

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

By Senator Chris Lauzen

SPRINGFIELD (February 7, 2005)-- Senator Chris Lauzen has been named to serve on all the major committees that consider financial matters in the Illinois State Senate.

Lauzen has been appointed to serve as the Minority Spokesman, i.e. the highest ranking Republican, on the Senate Revenue Committee. The Revenue Committee analyzes and votes on all legislation involving taxes. "I hope to use the analysis and discussion in the Revenue Committee to help my constituents and other citizens in Illinois to protect property tax caps, support Governor Blagojevich's pledge to not raise sales and income tax, and explore comprehensive 'impact fee' legislation to reduce the need for frequent referendums, " said Lauzen.

Republican Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) said, "Senator Lauzen has a vast knowledge of financial issues and it just makes sense to put his experience to use. He has been a champion for taxpayers all across the state and I am pleased he will continue to be their voice as the Republican spokesman on the Senate Revenue Committee."

Senator Lauzen will also serve on all three Senate Appropriations committees where he has served for the past twelve years. Members of the Appropriations committee evaluate the budget presentations for all state agencies during the months of February through May each year.

"Since the day I first was elected to the General Assembly, I have made fiscal responsibility in state government my highest priority, next to constituent service," Lauzen said. "I have spent many years working as an accountant and logged hundreds of hours in people's kitchens going over their finances. I have witnessed firsthand how difficult it is to do business in this state and when I got to Springfield, I wanted to be assigned to work where I could stand up for working men and women and small business owners in Illinois. Serving on both the Revenue and Appropriations Committees allows me to fulfill this mission."

Finally, Senator Lauzen has been chosen to serve as Co-Chairman of the Legislative Audit Commission, a spending watchdog group. This bi-partisan body, composed of both senators and representatives, reviews the audits of state agencies conducted by the Auditor General and his staff. "With the number of scandals accelerating in state government, the watchdog role of this commission is more important than ever," said Lauzen.