Sangamon Sun

State Representative Mike Coffey recently discussed pressing state issues with Patrick Pfingsten from WMAY. Coffey highlighted the importance of addressing the pension crisis, expanding business opportunities, and passing a balanced budget. He noted that Covid-19 financial aid has been exhausted, emphasizing the need for prudent spending in Illinois.

“Not much is happening in the General Assembly and we have a big fiscal problem in Illinois and Democrats are kicking the can down the road. We need to work on important issues and find a way to do more with less because we can’t keep spending money we don’t have,” Coffey stated.

Coffey is actively working on legislation to boost the economy through job creation. House Bill 1729, the Reinvest in Future Technical Careers Act, aims to support skilled trade workers by providing tax credits to those who contribute to scholarships for technical schools.

In addition, Coffey supports the rights of homeschool families. He voiced his opposition to a new bill, HB 2827, known as the "Homeschool Act." The legislation requires non-public schools to register annually and demands that homeschool families submit a declaration form. Coffey criticized the bill, stating, “The Homeschool Act is yet another unfunded mandate that takes more power away from homeschool families and students and gives it to the state. I stand with the thousands of Illinois families who agree that these burdensome regulations seek to solve a problem that does not exist.”