Rauner signs bill approving some road construction, vetoes capitol renovations

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Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks with employees of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday in Springfield. |AP photo

SPRINGFIELD —  Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday signed a bill that reappropriates funds for previously approved road construction and some capital projects. He vetoed certain items, including nearly $32 million in renovations for the capitol.

“Continued investment in our public infrastructure is critical to economic development.  We must maintain the infrastructure that has made Illinois a major transportation hub for the world economy,” the governor wrote to lawmakers. “This bill enhances mobility, helps to maintain our State’s competitive advantage, and supports construction and permanent jobs across Illinois.”

But he said taxpayer money “could go further” and took on some labor issues.

“We need truly competitive bidding to maximize the value of our resources, particularly during this time of fiscal crisis. State laws like the Prevailing Wage Act and the Project Labor Agreements Act are barriers to entry and inflate construction prices,” the governor wrote. “We need to reform the way we spend taxpayer dollars in order to deliver the most value to our residents and businesses.”

He said because of the Democrat’s “unbalanced budget” there is a need for savings. Earmarks like renovations to the Capitol are vetoed to “make those funds available for other priorities.”

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