*** UPDATE 1***  Raw audio of Sen. Righter’s media availability thanks to our very good buddy Dave Dahl…

*** UPDATE 2*** Righter said he’s had several conversations over the past several day which helped him come to the conclusion that a “Yes” vote was the right vote…

“This state has to start balancing its budgets. That is the first and most important thing. Every dollar that we throw on to the backlog of bills is a dollar that the next generation has to pay for even though we got to spend it. That’s simply wrong.” […]

“Obviously, I am elected and work for the people of the 55th Senate District and that’s who made the call today.” […]

Righter said the impasse has been “very harmful” for EIU and the “university system as a whole.”

“In the end you vote your district, and my district told me to vote for this package.”

Asked what people should cut from their household budgets to pay for the tax hike, Righter said, “Everyone’s gotta balance their budget at home.”

Righter said he spoke to the governor’s office and Leader Brady and “both were very respectful” of how he was planning to vote.

“Today, I represented my district,” he said at the end.

* So, why did Republican Sen. Dale Righter break with the governor and vote for a tax hike, budget and BIMP bills? His local Eastern Illinois University president worked him…