* Look past Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s rhetoric here for the actual news…
Nearly five months ago, House Leadership provided members with a survey asking for us to prioritize items that remain unfunded. I released a survey reflecting the choices, and set the rankings to reflect the responses. Since then, we have passed a handful of bills funding portions of programs but have made no progress towards a comprehensive solution. We have seen numerous non-profit organizations go under, and services for tens of thousands have ended. The unfunded line items represent hostages in this budget standoff, and they are beginning to fall. Meanwhile, in spite of making significant progress on unpaid bills since 2012, from $6.8 billion to $4.3 billion, we are now seeing that pile of bills growing to record levels, projected to reach $10-$12 billion.
We have once again been asked to identify priorities for unfunded items, choosing 10 out of a total of 58, many of which are matters of life and death. Pitting critically needed services and programs against each other in a budgetary “hunger games” is repulsive.
There is only one rational and moral choice: getting the revenue needed to stabilize government and provide services that are fundamental to the well being of tens of thousands of Illinoisans. There is no correct order of priorities, because there are life and death consequences. Any choice but appropriate revenue is morally reprehensible and will continue to lead to suffering.
I reject the notion that we can only prioritize a small number of these programs, and instead invite my colleagues to join me in demanding we stop talking about what essential line items to fund, and instead talk about how we are going to fund them.
The fact that we are having this discussion represents the utter lack of morality of our budget situation. Putting aside the fact that our outlined priorities may very well not be funded in the near future, the choices given are hardly choices at all. How does one decide which order to prioritize funding for sexual assault victim services or the developmentally disabled? All sides of the budget standoff agree that revenue is an absolutely necessary part of the solution. With billions of dollars in unpaid bills and the collapse of our social safety net, the harm is unacceptable. I strongly support returning the tax rate to the previous levels, and working towards a progressive income tax. Until then, we are tasked with trying to prioritize a few of the many services that impact the lives of tens of thousands in in our state.
That said, if there is to be another stopgap funding initiative in the near future, there is an opportunity to offer input. Once again, I am asking my constituents to share their priorities, and their experiences, to help drive us towards a more comprehensive solution. I recognize that, like me, many of you will choose to rank revenue as priorities 1-10. For those of you specifically impacted by program cuts, please use the narrative area of the survey to share your story so that I can better illustrate the real world impact of this impasse. I have met with and spoken to so many people either already feeling the loss of services or living in fear of losing their independence as a result of looming cuts. Know that I will continue to push forward towards a solution that protects working families and the most vulnerable people we serve.
Due to the timeframe given by leadership, we need your responses by 3pm on Friday, February 5th.
Emphasis added.
* The full list is here.
Your top choices?
*** UPDATE *** From Emily Miller…
Hi Rich.
I saw that you posted the newest priority ranking list given to members. It is notable that there are items left off the list, as one commenter said.
More notable, though, is how much this list has changed and grown from previous member polls.
Items like Teen Reach (which the Governor completely eliminated in his budget proposal last year) were not even included in previous member polls. But children, families and communities have made it so clear how vital afterschool programs are that it has emerged as a priority.
Programs don’t show up on a list by accident. These are obviously issues members across the state are hearing a lot about from constituents, advocates and the local press. It goes to reason that, in turn, the Governor’s office is getting a fair amount of grief from lawmakers who know the anger present in their communities, and want to be able to deliver some good news ASAP.
We’ll see in a few weeks during his budget address if, given the clear support these services have from families across Illinois, the governor will directly address how he’d like to see these services get funded now and in the future.
Emily Miller
Policy and Advocacy Director, Voices for Illinois Children
Co-Coordinator, Responsible Budget Coalition
- Dome Gnome - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:00 pm:
I want it all. I want a strong society, and I’m willing to pay for it.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:04 pm:
Question- which of these is totally State funded, and which has Federal dollars tied to it? Any tied to current consent decrees? Any that could be privately or user-fee funded (motorcycle classes come to mind)? The list, I think, needs to have those details?
- Anon221 - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:06 pm:
My grammar today…
Last question listed above in the series of questions, is not a question but an observation.
- Cassandra - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:07 pm:
And “working towards” a progressive income tax means what, exactly.
If a substantial income tax increase is imposed, its weight principally on the middle class, what is the incentive to annoy the wealthy by imposing a progressive tax later on. Remember, the wealthy
can contribute large sums to campaign chests,
or not.
- Miss Marie - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:10 pm:
Dome Gnome–I completely agree! Raise my taxes
- Miss Marie - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:11 pm:
Also, what happens if we try to vote on this? Has anyone tried it?
- ILPundit - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:12 pm:
Question — Who’s language is the block quote? Is that Madigan, or just a single rank and file member?
- Fusion - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:12 pm:
==I strongly support returning the tax rate to the previous levels, and working towards a progressive income tax.==
Here here. I will gladly pay higher taxes to start putting our state back together.
- The Captain - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:13 pm:
Forgive me if I’m missing this and overlooked something obvious but where it says:
Who is the author here? Who is the “I”? Is it the Speaker saying this or some other member?
- Ghost - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:14 pm:
they need to pass something so they can return the focus to the gov
- Earnest - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:15 pm:
Please pardon my non-specifics answer: I’d prioritize the services for children ages 0-5 plus pre-natal services. You can work for an entire life and not make up for the developmental gains you can achieve in that age range. In human terms, this would give you the longest impact for your dollars.
If it were my survey, I’d also be interested in what my members felt were the most cost-effective services. Off the top of my head, I would say mental health…diverts people from criminal justice system and avoids more costly hospitalization/institutionalization. If at some point Rauner feels we’ve been hurt enough and he chooses to govern, I would hope he’d develop data collection that can give us more concrete numbers here. Numbers are inadequate for a full analysis, but add to it greatly.
Also in my survey, I’d ask my members what services can be cut with the least negative impact. Cuts are going to be part of solution as well, so good to have some up-front input.
- Anon - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:15 pm:
Which House member sent this survey out?
- burbanite - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:20 pm:
Reminds me of the assignment in grade school where you were people in a boat and had to decide who to save.
The regressive tax structure in this State has to change. The people moving out b/c of our taxes aren’t the wealthy. Why would they? They have a sweet deal in Illinois. I know I would take a hit with a progressive tax structure but I am okay with that. Please increase my taxes and save the folks in the boat.
- burbanite - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:22 pm:
excuse me, “given a list of people in a boat”
- Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
Rich asked…I’ll play along…after the obligatory complaining that a tax hike is better, and the obligatory admission that I’m not familiar with most program details enough to make more than a snap judgment.
Priority #1) Anything that cutting would risk losing federal matching dollars. The ultimate ROI of anything in this category for the state shouldn’t be cut.
Priority #2) Mental Health / Preventative Health (Breast Cancer screenings, Local Public Health Dept Grants)
Priority #3) Library Grant - for many families living in poverty, this is where kids access web and do their homework.
Priority #4) Items where the state simply owes people money, so not paying isn’t really any savings (e.g., wireless carrier 911)
Priority #5) State Employees Group Health. A big number. We do owe it but I’d put it below #4 because the state employees aren’t going anywhere, whereas some vendors may stop doing business with the state/hike their bids.
Priority #6) Arts & Cycle Rider Training. Call me ignorant; I just don’t see state funding these to be as vital as #1-#3.
Last Priority) Anything that smacks of corporate welfare (clean coal research; supporting a hospital) or pet projects (e.g., Agudath of Israel, unless this is social services)
- Dome Gnome - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:02 pm:
- burbanite - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:20 pm:
“Reminds me of the assignment in grade school where you were given a list of people in a boat and had to decide who to save. Please increase my taxes and save the folks in the boat.”
Burbanite, yes! That’s precisely it. I’ve always refused to play those “team building” games of deciding who to vote off the island. This is our island. We all belong here, together.
- 13TH - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:09 pm:
sad thing this is not a complete list of items not funded at all or just part funded (federal pass thru bill that passed), such as Centers for Independent Living, that helps people with disabilities stay in the community, which is much cheaper for tax payers than some institutions (which includes nursing homes)
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:17 pm:
=== Drycleaner Trust Fund payments ($4 million) ===
I’ve begged and pleaded with the Governor to utilize this service. From the look of his pants at every function, my advice goes unheeded.
- Spliff - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:29 pm:
Read Rich’s whole post. He says at the beginning it is Rep. Cassidy.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:37 pm:
Spliff- that was just added recently. It wasn’t on the original posting.
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
Holy mackerel! After reviewing that list, these budget cuts are a lot easier than I thought! Make me king for a day, I think I can pull this off with only a .75% tax increase(the heck with all those old debts).
- LakeviewJ - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 2:07 pm:
Tied for #1-10 are the Arts Council and any neo-natal/0-5 programs. Happy wives make happy husbands.
- CCP Hostage - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 2:27 pm:
Coincidentally, those that made the top ten list looks a lot like this year’s list of hostages. /s
Leave me off the list, please.
- CleanWaterPlease - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
The LUST Fund is not money being appropriated from the general fund. The money to reimburse small business owners the money for work completed is already there in a special fund for the purpose of these reimbursements. The LUST Fund helps protect the drinking water supply throughout the State. I for one am not looking forward to another Flint, Michigan when we find out our source water has been contaminated.
- I'llPourYouAGlass - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:50 pm:
The Leaking Underground Storage Tank Fund is funded by a small tax collected with each gallon of gas that is sold. It helps clean up old gas stations and other industry when the tanks leak diesel, gasoline, heating oil etc. into the ground and groundwater. It does not affect the general budget in any way. The Fund helps owners of affected properties clean the soil and groundwater so that residents health is not affected. A house bill (HB4466) has been introduced to release the funds so that the small industry of environmental cleanup companies that accept payment from the LUST fund do not go out of business or stop cleaning up these sites. A gas station in Barrington recently leaked thousands of gallons of gasoline into the sanitary sewer and vapors were entering houses in the area - the story was in the Daily Herald last week. Drinking water is important to everyone, and much of the state gets their drinking water from wells and groundwater.
- Maria - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:13 am:
My vote is Yes
- Seymour - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 5:55 pm:
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