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* The AP drilled into the governor’s budget a little bit and found a few surprises. The biggest surprise, which probably shouldn’t be a surprise…
Quinn also has suggested zeroing out funding for the Community Based Organizations for Violence Prevention program, which succeeded the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, which has received $15 million over the past two years.
You’ll recall that the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative was at the center of a scathing Auditor General’s report for its shoddy and goofy operations. Obviously, the governor wants to distance himself from that program. But what happens if violence spikes again this year?
* A few more…
The Murphysboro youth center, which closed two years ago, could serve as a facility minimum security facility for more than 400 drunken driving offenders, according to the governor’s office. […]
The Joliet Youth home, which closed last February, also would be repurposed, according to governor’s budget office documents. […]
The governor’s office of management and budget would see a 30 percent budget increase under Quinn’s plan, as it adds seven positions. Pallasch said the increase “comes from the addition of a new requirement that would audit state grants and is housed in the governor’s office.”
But that “requirement” is a bill sponsored by state Rep. Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates that hasn’t yet been passed by the Legislature.
* Despite the expansions, the governor turned thumbs down on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s dream of expanding Soldier Field in order to attract a Super Bowl…
“We have serious financial challenges,” Quinn said. “Changing Soldier Field, making it bigger? It just ain’t gonna work.”
* From the Daily Herald…
In defending his proposal to make Illinois’ 2011 income tax increase permanent, Gov. Pat Quinn Friday called his Republican challenger Bruce Rauner’s plan to let the tax lapse and slash the budget a “scheme.”
Quinn argues Rauner can’t promise to both stabilize the state’s troubled budget and lower tax rates. Illinois needs the extra money to fix its budget woes, Quinn said.
“He basically has a scheme, and it’s not an honest scheme,” Quinn said.
Pushing the larger tax as he seeks re-election is risky, but Quinn has blasted Rauner and other Republicans for not offering a similarly detailed proposal.
“Some people think you get elected by not saying anything substantive,” Quinn said.
The governor’s office also pointed out to me this morning that slashing the budget could result in higher local property taxes, if education takes a hit. Rauner has pledged to protect education spending, but where would he find the money if the tax hike expires or is repealed? He doesn’t really say. The Illinois Policy Institute has called on the state to drastically cut funding to local governments, but that would also undoubtedly lead to property tax hikes.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 11:48 am
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This is a problem of Quinn’s making along with the D’s… A temporary tax that is now permanent plus higher property taxes. This is a time Rauner should be running the ad’s define him. Get the $55 mil boondoggle on the air… This is the record an incumbant has to run on… Good Luck.
Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 12:04 pm
Gov. Quinn said in lieu of Super Bowl, Chicago should bid for the Final Four tournament. Apparently, he didn’t realize that the Final Four is always held in a NFL domed stadium. Indeed, the NCAA requires an indoor stadium holding 60,000+ seats. Oops.
Comment by Oops Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 12:05 pm
As for the Soldier Field proposal is this just another indication that the Mayor and Governor still don’t quite get a long.
Also they’ve been talking about re-doing solider field for years. Especially for the Chicago Bears. Even discussed building a new stadium in the city.
If we want the Super Bowl or the NCAA final four they ought to just build a new stadium.
Comment by Levois Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 1:16 pm
==Quinn argues Rauner can’t promise to both stabilize the state’s troubled budget and lower tax rates==
That’s exactly right. But the mathematically challenged don’t seem to understand that.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 1:19 pm
How about zeroing out all salaries for Township elected officials. That’s not a state expense, but it is one payed for by taxpayer property taxes. In my Township that would be a nice $250 savings per year to help out with the supposed rise in property taxes that will happen if the income tax hike expires.
Comment by Confused Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 1:49 pm
== The governor’s office of management and budget would see a 30 percent budget increase under Quinn’s plan, as it adds seven positions. ==
GOMB has been growing at a solid clip since the tax increase. According to state budget books, the GOMB annual budget (in $ thousands) and GOMB personnel size:
FY2008 (actual): $325,797.2 / 41 employees / Source page 11-66 (FY2010 Budget Book)
FY2009 (actual): $322,918.7 / 46 employees / Source page 10-71 (FY2011 Budget Book)
FY2010 (actual): $322,326.9 / 47 employees / Source page 11-64 (FY2012 Budget Book)
FY2011 (actual): $338,204.6 / 49 employees / Source page 5-165 (FY2013 Budget Book)
FY2012 (actual): $340,122.7 / 44 employees / Source page 6-176 (FY2014 Budget Book)
FY2013 (actual): $358,941.9 / 45 employees / Source page 6-194 (FY2015 Budget Book)
FY2014 (enacted): $395,941.9 / 69 employees / Source page 6-194 (FY2015 Budget Book)
FY2015 (recommended): $464,708.9 / 76 employees / Source page 6-194 (FY2015 Budget Book)
During the 4 years prior (FY2008 - FY2011), GOMB’s budget grew by $12,407.40 (4%) and they added 8 employees.
During the 4 years since (FY2012 - FY2015), GOMB’s proposed budget will have grown by $124,586.2 (36.63%) and added 32 employees.
This is not meant as a criticism, but more a curiosity (especially since the FY2015 numbers are not final yet).
Has there been a major expansion in necessary GOMB responsibilities since FY2011 / FY2012? Besides, of course, Rep. Crespo’s bill which has yet to be passed? For example, what drives the sudden increase from 45 to 69 employees during 2013-2014?
Does anyone have any ideas that help better understand this overall situation? Are we spending more “because we can” or spending more “because we have to”?
Comment by Esteban D Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 2:05 pm
Quinn should stop calling some of the approp requests “extra money” - when you don’t have enough to pay your bills then it is not extra
Comment by Jen Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 2:10 pm
For Quinn to call Rauner’s position “a dishonest scheme” is beautifully Rovian. And it was the DH headline.
Attack your opponent first by projecting on them your own biggest image vulnerability (honesty), and then undercut their biggest claimed strength (wealth and how he made it).
Comment by Walker Monday, Mar 31, 14 @ 3:04 pm
Esteban, this math just doesn’t make sense.
“During the 4 years since (FY2012 - FY2015), GOMB’s proposed budget will have grown by $124,586.2 (36.63%) and added 32 employees.”
That’s about $4,000 in salary per new employee.
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Apr 1, 14 @ 7:53 am