Hays best pick for 104th seat

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October 24, 2010

Anonymous Commercial-News The Commercial-News Sun Oct 24, 2010, 02:00 AM CDT

DANVILLE — For the first time in more than two decades, no incumbent’s name appears on the ballot for the seat representing the 104th District in the Illinois House. The district includes most of Vermilion County except for the northern tier of townships.

Two candidates — Republican Chad Hays and Democrat Michael Puhr — want the job held by state Rep. Bill Black for the past 24 years.

In this race, area residents can chose from between two competent, committed and capable candidates. Either man will represent the views of residents well.

Hays, however, receives our endorsement based on his ideas to fight Illinois’ estimated $13 billion budget deficit and put the state back on solid fiscal ground.

Hays wants to see zero-based budgeting put in place. That means every state agency in every department would have to justify every dollar it asks for from taxpayers.

As it stands now, agencies expect to receive more money each year. That’s not an effective way to run anything, especially a government funded by taxpayers.

Hays also supports the Taxpayers’ Fiscal Charter first introduced by state Rep. Jim Watson. It calls for a two-year freeze on discretionary spending, with no expansion of existing programs nor any new programs. It keeps that freeze in place until the state is only 30 days behind in paying its bills. Today, it can take state officials months to pay up.

Going into the Illinois Legislature as a freshman will not be an easy task for whoever wins. The activity in Springfield focuses on political power, not on serving the public.

That kind of mindset has to change. Chad Hays will help bring about that change.

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Hays best pick for 104th seat

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