Murphy supports commonsense transparency measure

• 2017
• Debt Transparency Act

Senate overrides governor’s veto of Debt Transparency Act 

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement on the Senate’s motion to override the governor’s veto of the Debt Transparency Act, HB 3649:

“The governor’s veto of the Debt Transparency Act is illogical and irresponsible. This is commonsense legislation to provide the Comptroller with more accurate information on State agencies’ liabilities and estimated interest penalties. Coming out of a two-year budget impasse, the Comptroller’s office needs this information to better manage state payments.”

Murphy cosponsored HB 3649.

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Murphy fights for transparency in Medicaid managed care program

• 2017
• Audit
• DHFS

Senate moves to override governor’s veto of SB 321

SPRINGFIELD — Taxpayers and Medicaid recipients would benefit from a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) that would provide increased transparency to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Medicaid managed care program. The Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of this legislation today.  

“The governor attempted to put a multibillion dollar industry before the needs of taxpayers and Medicaid recipients,” Murphy said. “This legislation works to ensure that contractual requirements are met by Medicaid managed care organizations, that the program runs cost-effectively and that participants receive the best care possible.”

Senate Bill 321 would require the auditor general to audit the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Medicaid managed care program. Performance audits can only be conducted at the request of the General Assembly or the Audit Commission and generally take one year to complete. The auditor general completes financial audits yearly and compliance audits every two years for most agencies.

“The governor claims that a performance audit is ‘expensive’ and ‘unnecessary,’” Murphy said. “I believe that transparency and ensuring our tax dollars are being properly spent is worth the cost of investigating. It is absurd that a governor that declares that Illinois is ‘broken’ is unwilling to investigate if one of its largest contracts is running properly.”

Senate Bill 321 now moves to the House for further consideration.

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Murphy concerned sexual harassment legislation is rushed

• 2017

State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a suite of legislation to address sexual harassment in Illinois politics:

“Requiring sexual harassment awareness training and empowering the Legislative Ethics Commission are great first steps, but they do not go nearly far enough. We should have voted on a comprehensive solution instead of rushing this legislation through.

“The issue of sexual harassment in Illinois politics is serious and requires careful consideration. That’s why I urged the leaders to slow the process down so that we could hold hearings and holistically address the issue. I look forward to working with my colleagues on additional legislation to address this issue.”

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Murphy pushes for protections for student loan borrowers

• 2017
• Student loans
• Higher education

Senate overrides governor’s veto of SB 1351

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement on the Senate’s override of the governor’s veto of legislation barring loan servicers from participating in any unfair or deceptive practices toward borrowers or cosigners:

“This is an important step to protect students and student loan cosigners from the predatory practices of loan service providers. There is undoubtedly more work to be done to address the issue of student loans and student loan debt. I will continue to work with my colleagues to address these issues which are crippling students and families across the state.”

Senate Bill 1351, co-sponsored by Murphy, passed the Senate with a vote of 37-19. It now moves to the House for further consideration.

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