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* 9:40 pm - Posted by Mike Murray… * Governor Quinn, speaking after a lengthy meeting with the four caucus leaders, announced a ‘meeting of the minds’ had coalesced around the concept of a pension obligation note. A pension obligation note -basically a short term bond- would most likely have a 5 year term. The pension note will allow the IL to make all constitutionally required pension payments for the coming fiscal year. The perk, according to Quinn, is that note will free up between $2.2 and $2.3 billion to help balance the budget. Quinn expects the GA to pass the pension obligation note bill tomorrow. * Leadership also agreed upon the need for further cuts in the state’s operating budget. The size and scope of these additional cuts are still to be determined. There has been some talk in the Senate of an additional $1 billion in cuts from the operational budget, but the Governor did not commit to that figure. No specific departments or programs were identified as possible areas of saving. Once a figure for the cuts is agreed upon, Governor Quinn will determine where the cuts will fall. * The possibility that the GA will pass a new budget by July 1, already considered to be long-shot, has shrunk considerably. Quinn said the Legislature’s focus tomorrow will be on passing the pension obligation note. Additionally, the Governor does not expect the GA back until Tuesday, June 30. Considering that the Governor did not repeat his call for a new budget before July -and given the fact that tuesday is the last day of the current fiscal year- it appears that Quinn has backed away from his demand for a new budget to be passed before the new fiscal year. * The raw video from the press conference will be posted shortly. * 9:47 pm - Gov. Quinn’s press conference: part 1… * 9:53 pm - Gov. Quinn’s press conference: part 2… * 9:55 pm - Gov. Quinn’s press conference: part 3…
- Posted by Mike Murray
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- Whatchoo Infer - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 9:55 pm:
Apparently spellcheck for headlines is one of the areas being cut…
-Just joshing, you guys have been working extra long and hard today, thatnks for all you do.
- Gregor - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 9:58 pm:
So, Pension Obligation note… this is like when I open the garage fridge, see it is empty, and there’s a note in there from my next-door neighbor saying “I owe you a six-pack”, and I tell my wife, “Yeah, there’s still a six-pack here. In note form.”
-Do I have it about right?
- Mike Murray - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 10:03 pm:
===Apparently spellcheck for headlines is one of the areas being cut…===
LOL. My bad, the blog software does not automatically spell check the headlines and I am not used to going solo. And I am a HORRIBLE speller.
Rich does not like for us to edit a post once it’s up, but I broke that rule in this instance.
Let’s hope he does not read the comments.
HA! Not likely. :)
- lincolnlover - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 10:26 pm:
So - state employees take it in the rear end again!!!!! So much for governor pat - man of the people.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 10:31 pm:
Ummm, okay. Pension obligation note. That’s, well, okay. Not a great idea, not a terrible idea, not really much of anything at all, in the grand scheme of things.
Low hanging fruit, I guess.
After seeing this again and again over the years, does anyone else get the feeling that The Tops just dig the tension and drama? The numbers are pretty straightforward, and it is a budget they’re talking about.
What happened to the tax increase for redistricting referendum?
- Quinn T. Sential - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 10:40 pm:
{The pension note will allow the IL to make all [constitutionally required] pension payments for the coming fiscal year}
Does this mean that they make the pension payments required for this year; but do not contribute the “catch up” payment that was part of the legislation years back to require them to get caught up over a scheduled time frame?
{The perk, according to Quinn, is that note will free up between $2.2 and $2.3 billion to help balance the budget.}
This money that is “freed up” to help balance the budget, is under-funding by $2.3 Billion + about 7%,compunded annually.
This is absolute genius I tell you!
- chas montoya - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 10:49 pm:
It’s refreshing to see a Gov who works late.
- LINK - Tuesday, Jun 23, 09 @ 11:18 pm:
On a related note, since all the leaders and Governor were busy taking care of the people’s business tonight they could not vote to keep Patti Blagojevich in Costa Rica and she will now return home to join her husband and children.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:51 am:
===Let’s hope he does not read the comments===
Fat chance.
Pingback Latest News from Springfield : - Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 8:41 am:
[…] Capitol Fax always has the latest, and most extensive coverage, complete with video: Governor Quinn, speaking after a lengthy meeting with the four caucus leaders, announced a ‘meeting of the minds’ had coalesced around the concept of a pension obligation note. […]
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 8:54 am:
Keep going people, you are just scratching the surface…