Springfield . . . Two new laws on the books could help ease the burden that is sometimes created by government regulation, according to State Senator Kyle McCarter.

One measure (Public Act 96-1441) allows schools not to comply with any new state education requirement for which the state fails to provide funding, while a second bill (Public Act 96-1448) requires any state agency creating new rules for small businesses to prepare an economic impact study of those rules.

Both measures were cosponsored by Senator McCarter (R-Lebanon).

“Unfunded mandates on our local schools handcuff administrators and place a further burden on limited local revenue, which makes it more difficult to educate our children,” said McCarter.  “Allowing our educators to avoid mandates, unless they are funded by state government, can give districts the flexibility they need to make their budgets work.”

McCarter said more work needs to be done to ensure local control.  There were other proposals this year to reduced unfunded mandates but those measures were held up in the legislative process.

“When rules and regulations rise to the point of interfering with job creation or cause business to...