Any News on the State Budget?

[Kittycat]

It's been pretty quiet - last I read Quinn veto'd the proposed one.

[madrchsod]

1. well the kids could`t agree on what day they could show up....

so july 14 was the day they agreed on....one day before the state lays off thousands of workers and the funding stops for private/public funded social programs.

is`t grand to have a bunch of kids running the state?

[Kittycat]

2. Worthless Lot.

[ColesCountyDem]

3. I want to hang them ALL by their thumbs and...

... beat them with a bastinado.

:mad:

[seeviewonder]

6. I just noticed you are in Coles County...

Do you go to EIU? I went there for three years and then transferred to U of I last year to finish my degree. I grew up in Cumberland County and I currently live in Vermilion County.

[ColesCountyDem]

7. No, I'm a worker bee townie.

:hi:

[seeviewonder]

4. Not even mentioned during the address today...

I listened to Quinn answering questions from reporters in Chicago and the topic never came up (at least I didn't notice it)! I would think that a big deal like news regarding the state budget would make an appearance in front of reporters in Chicago. Oh well...I will just keep waiting...

[mopinko]

5. report from my state senator on the budget.

Heather Steans
State Senator
Springfield Update
July 16, 2009
SPECIAL NOTICE: At 7PM tonight (Thursday, July 16th), I will be on Chicago Tonight on WTTW Channel 11 to discuss the state budget.

Dear Neighbor,

The 2010 budget for the State of Illinois was passed yesterday by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by the Governor.

The budget has numerous unresolved challenges including:

Borrowing $3.5 billion in pension obligation notes (PON) to cover the State's contribution to the pension systems.
Appropriating $26 billion to fund state operations and grant programs in FY10. This is about $2.2 billion less than the FY09 appropriation level and includes the dollars freed up from the pension obligation notes. About $9 billion of the $26 billion is appropriated for grant programs (compared to about $10.5 billion in FY09).
Appropriating funds for service providers and state operations in lump sums so that the Governor alone decides how to cut spending.

I voted no on this budget. This budget is highly irresponsible. We are essentially borrowing to fund state operating costs, thus delaying, and increasing the size of our problem later. The budget cuts authorized by this inadequate budget also are undetermined because we did not provide the Governor with specific line items for individual programs. Finally, we further delay payments for critical social services programs and in effect, both reduce their budget with smaller appropriations and require these same under-funded agencies to incur borrowing costs for their own operating expenses.

I could not support such an abdication of our responsibility to Illinois residents for needed services and basic financial responsibility to balance our budget. Illinois has a structural budget deficit that has been growing over the last 10 years. Rather than continuing with "financial gimmicks" such as fund sweeps, debt restructuring, sale of assets, or more borrowing, I believe we need a comprehensive solution that includes:

Spending reforms (e.g. medicaid and pension system improvements) to restore long-term financial stability;
Prudent reductions (these will need to be implemented within this budget given it is $2.2 billion less than last year);
Improvements in the manner in which we make budgeting decisions (e.g. more transparent budgeting process with public access to information and a performance measurement system to prioritize dollars spent); and
Additional revenues.

I believe citizens throughout Illinois crave a responsible budget and desire elected officials to make the difficult decisions that are needed. I look forward to working toward a more comprehensive solution in partnership with many interested parties.

Once we know more clearly how cuts will be made I will send out an additional update on the budget. Please call my office at 773-769-1717 or email me with any questions or thoughts.

Sincerely,

Heather A. Steans
State Senator

[nickinSTL]

12. my employer is expecting significant cuts

under this budget.

fortunately, we have significant reserves, but those are limited, and the chances of our budget ever going up again are infinitesimal.

We won't know the size of the cuts until some time after the Secretary of State's office decides what agencies get what money.

[mucifer]

8. I had high hopes for Quinn. Things look pretty bad now.

[ColesCountyDem]

9. As my grandpa used to say, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"

Quinn inherited a whole carload of sow's ears, so I'm gonna cut him some slack...

[mucifer]

10. he could have done so much more if the legislature wasn't full of assholes.

[olkaz]

11. Couldn't agree with you more.

If Quinn had anything to work with, things would be improving quickly.