SPRINGFIELD — To put an end to an unavoidable tax that unfairly singles out women, State Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, put forth legislation that would end the tax on feminine hygienic products like tampons.

“Items like tampons and sanitary napkins are taxed as luxury items, but all women know that periods are not a luxury,” Bush said. “We always talk about making frugal financial decisions, but this ‘pink tax’ unfairly targets women for a product they are literally biologically incapable of avoiding.”

The proposal, which a Senate committee approved today, would also repeal taxes on adult diapers. Illinoisans spend an estimated $14.7 million annually on the products affected by the proposal, according to the Illinois Committee on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

The legislation is Senate Bill 2746. It moves to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD — The state’s college students face a dire situation if the Illinois House and Governor Bruce Rauner do not follow through on the Senate’s passage of grant funding, State Sen. Melinda Bush said Wednesday after voting to override the governor’s veto.

“For nearly a year, students who have the grades and aptitude to succeed but not the money to afford their education have wondered if they’ll be able to continue their studies,” said Bush, D-Grayslake. “These are students who are going to school already with the promise of MAP grants. If we don't authorize this funding, they may need to go home.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed Senate Bill 2043 last month, denying the funds to students. The Illinois Senate voted to override the veto 37-17 today. The legislation must receive a three-fifths supermajority vote in the Illinois House to overcome the governor’s veto.

GRAYSLAKE — State Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, issued the following statement on news Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed Monetary Award Program grant funding this afternoon.

“It is unconscionable that the governor continues to hold hostage the futures of college students who now need to weigh whether or not to drop out of school,” Bush said. “Today has set a horrible example to every student who has been told to work hard and achieve, even though their family may struggle financially.”

Chicago Tribune - Feb. 17, 2016 | Original article

By Dan Moran

Gov. Bruce Rauner's mix of calls for budget cuts, tax hikes and increased funding for education drew a mix of reactions from Lake County legislators who took in his second budget message Wednesday in Springfield.

State Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, said she came away from the address thinking that "a long-term, partisan agenda does nothing for the charities that are closing or the college students that are dropping out because of a lack of grants.

"These people need a real, balanced budget proposal, right now," Bush said in statement. "Whether it happens via the line item veto authority the governor already has, or via good faith negotiation between the governor and legislative leaders, it needs to happen immediately."

But Bush did commend the governor for his remarks on education.

Read the full article at the Lake County News-Sun.