RE-ELECT REP. BASSI

(March 4, 2004)  Most state legislative districts in the northwest suburbs will not have primary races March 16, but the 54th House District is a notable exception with a hard-to-predict contest of three Republicans -- incumbent state Rep. Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi and challengers Warren Kostka and Pat Sutarik -- all of whom have vocal supporters.

We endorse Bassi, who has effectively articulated the needs of our communities during her five years in Springfield. With Democrats controlling state government, no Republican is likely to get many proposals signed into law, but Bassi's knowledge and experience make her the best choice to represent local residents. With Gov. Rod Blagojevich hoping to restructure the state's education bureaucracy, she can bring valuable perspective to the debate. Bassi, a member of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, is a former teacher and school board member. Despite our support for Bassi, we hope she will listen to her critics' suggestion that she take a stronger stand on controversial legislation. Although her "present" vote on the controversial SBC rate legislation last year counted the same as a "no" vote, she would have sent a clearer message by simply voting "no."

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