Lawmakers to learn Econ 101?
Updated: February 1, 2013
SPRINGFIELD -- Some politicians may be heading back to class. Not to learn about math or history, but rather, economics. WCIA-3's Brittany Harris keeps us Connected to the Capitol.
One lawmaker actually wants to make it a requirement. He thinks politicians should have to take an economics course once every two years. He says knowing the basics would make a big difference when it comes to voting on issues like the budget.
"I think everyone should have a basic understanding of economics; how markets work. I mean, we are in a market economy and to understand that would really help you."
Patty Byrnes is a professor at UIS. She teaches students about economics. It's a subject she says can be pretty intimidating, but one she thinks is definitely worth knowing.
"The basic concepts of buying and selling, or comparing the benefits of something to costs, and how you would go about doing that, I think is really important."
She's not alone in that philosophy. Senator Dave Syverson agrees. He wants members of every city council, county board and the General Assembly to study economics.
He's pushing for a law requiring an 8-hour course on the subject every two years. He says knowing the basics would help when it comes to voting on key issues like the budget and pensions.
"I believe every lawmaker or public figure should take an economics course because it would help them make better decisions in regards to the economic growth. If economics is going to be the main subject of the laws that you're making, especially with the financial trouble the state's been in, why not have our lawmakers be more versed in economic policies and different economic concepts?"
The bill hasn't been filed yet. Senator Syverson says he plans to do that shortly.
As far as support or opposition go, he says he's not sure yet. The few lawmakers he's talked to seem to be on board.
Supporters want the Illinois Community College Board and members of the business community to design it. That way, it's not biased. Each lawmaker would have to pay for the class.
One lawmaker actually wants to make it a requirement. He thinks politicians should have to take an economics course once every two years. He says knowing the basics would make a big difference when it comes to voting on issues like the budget.
"I think everyone should have a basic understanding of economics; how markets work. I mean, we are in a market economy and to understand that would really help you."
Patty Byrnes is a professor at UIS. She teaches students about economics. It's a subject she says can be pretty intimidating, but one she thinks is definitely worth knowing.
"The basic concepts of buying and selling, or comparing the benefits of something to costs, and how you would go about doing that, I think is really important."
She's not alone in that philosophy. Senator Dave Syverson agrees. He wants members of every city council, county board and the General Assembly to study economics.
He's pushing for a law requiring an 8-hour course on the subject every two years. He says knowing the basics would help when it comes to voting on key issues like the budget and pensions.
"I believe every lawmaker or public figure should take an economics course because it would help them make better decisions in regards to the economic growth. If economics is going to be the main subject of the laws that you're making, especially with the financial trouble the state's been in, why not have our lawmakers be more versed in economic policies and different economic concepts?"
The bill hasn't been filed yet. Senator Syverson says he plans to do that shortly.
As far as support or opposition go, he says he's not sure yet. The few lawmakers he's talked to seem to be on board.
Supporters want the Illinois Community College Board and members of the business community to design it. That way, it's not biased. Each lawmaker would have to pay for the class.
