Champion News - Setting the Standard

By John Biver

The call for accountability and transparency in public school spending actually fits perfectly the Illinois Constitution's demand for an "efficient" system found in Article X. Those who resist such efforts often sound like they'd have you believe that anyone arguing for better financial management in the public schools hates children.

Actually, Illinois taxpayers love kids - and have been showing it by increasing funding at twice the rate of inflation for over twenty years. Illinois schools are not poorly funded.

First, a note about "state funding" versus "local funding." The state maintains the ultimate responsibility for funding public schools since local governments are subject to the state.

An early test for a governor wannabe

By John Biver

Four years ago today, August 27, 2004, I issued a challenge that I'll once again repeat: any Republican considering a run for governor needs to get serious about education reform.

My favorite story from the 2006 election cycle was when one of the Republican candidates asked his highly paid consultants, "Can I win without the teacher unions?" A clear thinking staffer told me afterwards that the better question was actually, "can he win with the teacher unions?"

There isn't any reason to elect Republicans who will work against genuine school reform, so no GOP candidate should bother running if he or she is going to take teacher union campaign donations.

John & Cindy McCain stopping for rally near St. Louis on road to GOP Convention

By Doug Ibendahl

John and Cindy McCain will attend a Road to the Convention Rally this Sunday afternoon, August 31st at the T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Missouri.

This will be their last road rally stop before the GOP Convention which begins Monday in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Their prior stops this week are Dayton, Ohio and Washington, Pennsylvania.

Admission is free but you must have a ticket. Seating is on a first come first served basis.

Why it's time for a Republican Renaissance

Through the Republican Renaissance Project we'll continue to expose the problems and behavior that led to our Illinois Party's total collapse.

We'll keep the spotlight on and inform Republicans about the opportunities available, as well as about the process and requirements for getting involved at all levels.