9:45 AM
A new poll by Rasmussen of 750 likely voters in Illinois has Bill Brady, the Republican candidate for governor, at 50%. Incumbent Pat Quinn (D) at 37% and the Green Party candidate at 4%. The poll has a margin of error at +/ 4%. Republicans favor Brady by 93%. 66% of Democrats favor Quinn.
43% of those surveyed said they are less likely to vote for an independent candidate.
This race has been moved from "toss-up" to "solid Republican". 37 governor seats are up for election this year. Check out the Rasmussen Gubernatorial Scorecard.
43% of those surveyed said they are less likely to vote for an independent candidate.
This race has been moved from "toss-up" to "solid Republican". 37 governor seats are up for election this year. Check out the Rasmussen Gubernatorial Scorecard.
7:29 PM
state senator chris lauzen's property tax idea
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property taxes , sjr 13 , state senator chris lauzen , tax exemptions
Chris Lauzen, State Senator from Aurora, has released on his website the tax freeze resolution for Illinois. Senate Joint Resolution 13 will provide permanent property tax relief. For more information see the Chris Lauzen website post on this. There is also an information section for you to fill out if you so desire.
I know as a property tax collector for almost 16 years how the tax bill can hit your budget. This resolution is a solution to higher taxes. I commend Senator Lauzen for these efforts. Stay in tune with SJR 13. SJR 13 will go a long way in providing permanent property tax relief and allow many to stay in their homes.
I know as a property tax collector for almost 16 years how the tax bill can hit your budget. This resolution is a solution to higher taxes. I commend Senator Lauzen for these efforts. Stay in tune with SJR 13. SJR 13 will go a long way in providing permanent property tax relief and allow many to stay in their homes.
9:27 AM
A poll conducted by We Ask America for the 17th Congressional District has Bobby Schilling leading incumbent Phil Hare. 1250 people were used for the survey and a margin of error is at +/- 2.77%.
If you notice... the party affiliation segment of the results is drawn very well. It is the independent block that comes into play. Schilling leads by 2.74%, within the margin of error.
This poll was conducted on September 8th.
The "uncertain factor" still has a chunk of independent uncertains (25.14%) and Democrats (15.32%). The Republicans are solidly in Schilling's corner. Hare, on the other hand, is having issues within his own party! With the uncertain independent and Democrat total at 40.46% respectively, this has the makings of one of he biggest upsets in the nation. This race has evolved into the national spotlight and will continue to do so. If the Republican structure can turn these poll results into money, more volunteers and a strong get out the vote campaign, Schilling will be taking the seat.
| AFFILIATION | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Republican | Democrat | Independent | |
| CHOICE FOR CONGRESS | ||||
| (D) Phil Hare | 38.41% | 9.60% | 73.09% | 22.63% |
| (R) Bobby Schilling | 41.15% | 79.66% | 8.75% | 44.41% |
| (G) Roger Davis | 3.85% | 1.13% | 2.84% | 7.82% |
| Uncertain | 16.60% | 9.60% | 15.32% | 25.14% |
If you notice... the party affiliation segment of the results is drawn very well. It is the independent block that comes into play. Schilling leads by 2.74%, within the margin of error.
This poll was conducted on September 8th.
The "uncertain factor" still has a chunk of independent uncertains (25.14%) and Democrats (15.32%). The Republicans are solidly in Schilling's corner. Hare, on the other hand, is having issues within his own party! With the uncertain independent and Democrat total at 40.46% respectively, this has the makings of one of he biggest upsets in the nation. This race has evolved into the national spotlight and will continue to do so. If the Republican structure can turn these poll results into money, more volunteers and a strong get out the vote campaign, Schilling will be taking the seat.
10:09 AM
The audit for Mercer County was presented on September 7th at the County board meeting. In the "financial analysis of governmental funds" section it states Mercer County uses fund accounting to ensure and demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal requirements. Fund accounting and and budget controls have been the framework of the County's strong fiscal management and accountability.
As of the end of the current fiscal year (November 30, 2009), the County's governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $3,897,355, a decrease of $414,580 in comparison with the prior fiscal year. $3,875,384 or 99.4% of the fund balance represents unreserved fund balance, which is available for spending at the County's discretion. Payments are made by authorization of the County Board or a court order. The remainder of fund balance is reserved to indicate that it is not available for new spending because it has already been committed.
The General Fund is the chief operating fund of the County. At the end of the current fiscal year, unreserved fund balance of the General Fund was $412,946. As a measure of the general fund's liquidity, we (the CPA firm Carpentier, Mitchell, Goodard & Company) compare unreserved fund balance to total fund expenditures. Unreserved fund balance represents 11.1% of total fund expenditures. General budgetary targets for reserves are 25% of expenditures which compare favorably to GFOA recommended reserves for small counties. The fund balance of the County's general fund decreased by $32,558 during the current fiscal year.
In considering the County's budget, the following factors come into play: health care and personnel costs, which make up a significant portion of the County's operating costs, continue to rise.
In accordance with its investment policy, the Mercer County Treasurer will have the sole responsibility to select which financial institutions will be depositories for County funds. As Mercer County Treasurer I have conducted operations to ensure the proper procedures are implemented and maintained. I wrote and presented an investment policy for the County of Mercer before it became law for public entities to do so.
Custodial credit risk for investments is risk that, in the event of the failure of the counterparty, the County will not be able able to recover the value of its investments or collateral securities that are in the possession of an outside party. As of November 30, 2009, there was no investment custodial risk for the County.
My aim is to maintain the integrity of the County's financial framework. Strong internal controls and fiscal accountability are key to good management.
As of the end of the current fiscal year (November 30, 2009), the County's governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $3,897,355, a decrease of $414,580 in comparison with the prior fiscal year. $3,875,384 or 99.4% of the fund balance represents unreserved fund balance, which is available for spending at the County's discretion. Payments are made by authorization of the County Board or a court order. The remainder of fund balance is reserved to indicate that it is not available for new spending because it has already been committed.
The General Fund is the chief operating fund of the County. At the end of the current fiscal year, unreserved fund balance of the General Fund was $412,946. As a measure of the general fund's liquidity, we (the CPA firm Carpentier, Mitchell, Goodard & Company) compare unreserved fund balance to total fund expenditures. Unreserved fund balance represents 11.1% of total fund expenditures. General budgetary targets for reserves are 25% of expenditures which compare favorably to GFOA recommended reserves for small counties. The fund balance of the County's general fund decreased by $32,558 during the current fiscal year.
In considering the County's budget, the following factors come into play: health care and personnel costs, which make up a significant portion of the County's operating costs, continue to rise.
In accordance with its investment policy, the Mercer County Treasurer will have the sole responsibility to select which financial institutions will be depositories for County funds. As Mercer County Treasurer I have conducted operations to ensure the proper procedures are implemented and maintained. I wrote and presented an investment policy for the County of Mercer before it became law for public entities to do so.
Custodial credit risk for investments is risk that, in the event of the failure of the counterparty, the County will not be able able to recover the value of its investments or collateral securities that are in the possession of an outside party. As of November 30, 2009, there was no investment custodial risk for the County.
My aim is to maintain the integrity of the County's financial framework. Strong internal controls and fiscal accountability are key to good management.