Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says she's not just a "mouthpiece" for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Munger said during a Wednesday news conference that some people have suggested she's promoting a business-friendly agenda similar to Rauner's because he tells her to do so. In response, she said, "I say these things because I believe it."
Rauner appointed Munger to fill Judy Baar Topinka's term after her death last year. The Republican former businesswoman is seeking her first full term in 2016.
During a speech at a GOP gathering last month Munger called herself Rauner's budgetary "wingman." She also advocates for Rauner-backed proposals such as reducing the cost of workers' compensation insurance.
She noted Wednesday she's also disagreed with Rauner. She says his cuts to subsidized child care for low-income families, for example, are "too deep."
Earlier Wednesday, Munger announced that her office has begun to set up accounts and will resume making payments to Early Intervention programs immediately. Providers in these programs work on development strategies for disabled infants and toddlers.
