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* The Senate Democrats explain their latest budget move via press release…
State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago 7) presided over a Senate committee that took the first step today toward solving the crisis caused when a program that assists working parents with the high cost of child care ran out of money earlier this year.
“Reliable, affordable child care is absolutely essential for parents who are doing their best to participate in our economy and improve their families’ prospects,” Steans said.
“Our solution to the shortfall involves no borrowing and no new revenues, and it is imperative that we move forward immediately to resolve this short-term crisis, which has already shut down child care centers and left working parents without options.”
The plan, Senate Bill 274, allows the governor to move $579 million in excess money sitting unused in various state funds to fill gaps in essential areas of spending, including the Child Care Assistance Program, which helps low-income parents who are working or attending school afford care for their young children. The $300 million shortfall in CCAP funding threatens to leave 100,000 families without access to affordable child care. The measure will also provide overtime owed to prison guards and services for people with developmental disabilities. Today, the Senate Appropriations I Committee approved the legislation.
“The governor has sought broad budgetary powers, and we have continued engaging in a dialogue with the governor’s office while focusing on giving him the authority needed to keep working parents on the job,” said Steans, who chairs one of the Senate’s two budget committees. “It’s been almost a month since parents who rely on this program came to us with their stories, asking us to support them as they build better lives for their families, and we owe them a solution.”
SB 274 now advances to a vote of the full Senate.
* The measure passed committee without any Republican support. Tribune…
Rauner is seeking extraordinary powers to manage the $1.6 billion budget shortfall he inherited that threatens subsidized child care and paychecks for state prison workers. But talks stalled after Rauner unveiled a spending plan for the next budget year that calls for massive cuts, with Democrats who control the legislature saying they want more details about how he’d manage the current budget crisis.
Senate Democrats said Tuesday they’ve run out of patience and began moving a proposal that would take money from funds earmarked for special purposes ranging from road construction to oversight of doctors. The measure sailed through a Senate appropriations committee with nine Democrats voting in favor. […]
Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, accused Senate Democrats of breaking off negotiations with Rauner. Murphy said the proposal falls short of fixing the entire problem and wouldn’t give Rauner the proper authority to spend the money.
“Why are you going off on this tangent right now rather than solving this problem?” Murphy said. “The reason is this is an early test of the governor, and what you are doing today is choosing to play politics with the lives of working mothers and their children.”
* From the governor’s press shop…
This is the exact type of short-term thinking that created this mess and it does not even solve the major crises that will occur at the end of this month. The people of Illinois deserve a comprehensive solution instead of another half-baked idea that will lead to yet another crisis in the immediate future. After weeks of detailed negotiations, including three hours yesterday morning, it is clear that Senate Democrats are more interested in playing politics than solving this problem.
* From House GOP Leader Jim Durkin…
“The unbalanced FY 15 budget needs to be corrected immediately and brought into balance. For over a month, Republicans and the Governor have been ready to move forward with a plan to fund child care, court reporters, payroll at our correctional facilities and also balance the remainder of the deficit. We are ready to clean up the mess Governor Rauner inherited on January 12, 2015.”
* Finke…
With Republicans all voting “present,” the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the plan that will allow Gov. Bruce Rauner to use nearly $580 million from dozens of special state accounts. Among them, the bill allows for taking $59 million from the state’s road fund, $37 million from a fund set aside to buy land in congested areas for open space and $63 million from the personal property replacement fund that distributes money to local governments around the state. […]
Murphy contended negotiators were making good progress toward a compromise on giving Rauner emergency budget powers as recently as Monday. Senate Democrats had been demanding Rauner provide greater detail about how he planned to use those powers – such as which programs would get a spending cut – before granting him that authority.
However, Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge, said the bill doesn’t derail those negotiations. He also noted that Rauner has indicated a desire to use money from the funds to help fix the current budget. Kotowski said people have “no patience left” waiting for lawmakers to negotiate an agreement with Rauner.
Still, Kotowski acknowledged he had not spoken to anyone in the House about the bill to tap into special state funds. If the Senate approved the bill, it would still have to be approved by the House before it could be sent to Rauner.
* AP…
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan’s spokesman, Steve Brown, said Madigan doesn’t have a position on the Senate’s legislation at this point. But Brown reiterated Madigan’s statements that he believes this year’s budget hole should be patched with a combination of special funds and reductions in spending.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:15 am
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until the governor provides some detail as to what he’ll do w/ his new powers it would be irresponsible for the majority to give him a blank check.
Comment by Dozer Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:29 am
Well there’s a shot over the bow with a pop gun. If the constituents are losing patience, we’ll see more movement here. It’s something, but not nearly enough. Their leverage is close to zero until they fix the broken budget they are responsible for. It’s still overtime in one game before the game they have real leverage in starts.
One Dem leader seems to understand. The other is learning slowly or playing possum. Dangerous game. Those are his voters that are losing patience.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:29 am
This gets settled in the House, in any case.
Message to the actual negotiators: There are alternatives to fill this hole, however distasteful they all might be. It’s not Rauner’s way or the highway.
===With Republicans all voting “present.”
Now that’s a surprise! /s
Comment by walker Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:32 am
It’s going to be a long 4 years that’s for sure. The GOP says that they want a permanent budget fix. Having looked at the states expenditures and revenues I don’t think it’s possible to balance our budget and meet our debt obligations without bringing increased revenues into the picture. The GOP doesn’t want to discuss revenues. Until they do so I don’t think they will be given much leeway by the Democrats.
Taking money out of all these special funds was described as a budget gimmick by Rauner before the election. This is something that can’t be done indefinitely.
Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:32 am
Why the outrage over a plan with actual numbers and specifics seeing the light of day?
Anytime the governor wants to put something real on the table for people to analyze, I’m sure he’ll have everyone’s attention.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:37 am
- Their leverage is close to zero until they fix the broken budget they are responsible for. -
Really? I’d say it’s closer to 39-20.
And that’s assuming all 20 Senate R’s will walk hand in hand with Rauner on the budget.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:38 am
Wait!
We thought Capt. Fax reported Durkie declined to sponsor FY15 budget bill? How can the GOPies and BVR be “ready to move forward?”
Very confusing
Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:40 am
Walker has it right. Holding working families hostage until Rauner gets his way ain’t gonna happen. The Dems were right to move forward with this, and Rauner better get on board. A veto would be foolish on his part.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:40 am
Seems the Democrats would benefit from fixing the FY15 problem themselves. Otherwise Rauner can say the Democrats create financial problems and he resolves them.
Comment by east central Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:41 am
The “Phoney War” has ended and the battle begins.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:44 am
Remember, the current 2015 budget was technically “balanced” with moves such as these. These aren’t completely new proposals by the Dems.
Rauner’s challenges are two:
He criticized those proposed moves publicly,
He is now asking for emergency powers that extend beyond the 2015 budget year, with no justification even in his own 2016 budget proposal, and that just ain’t happening.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:49 am
The Democrats own this FY15 budget problem. They need to quit playing games and just rollover.
Comment by Cassiopeia Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:49 am
This battle is being fought in the Senate, the war will be won, or lost, in the House.
===They need to quit playing games and just rollover.===
Democrats - 39, Republicans - 20.
No one rolls over in that type of majority.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:52 am
Hello Governor, this is reality calling. There is a solution that has been put on the table. How about deal with it on the merits of the proposal instead of harpooning the idea. At least this provides a specific plan for a specific problem, which is alot more than what we are getting out of the Barn Jacket man.
Comment by John A Logan Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:58 am
That’s more like a mortar than warning shot from a pop gun.
Comment by Jorge Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 9:59 am
==The Democrats own this FY15 budget problem. They need to quit playing games and just rollover.==
That was snark right? I certainly hope so because if it wasn’t it shows a complete lack of understanding of the situation.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:00 am
Seems like they are trying to solve a problem by using the same level of thinking that created it. Einstein warned us about such foolishness.
Comment by CapnCrunch Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:09 am
I believe the fiscal solution for the remainder of the fiscal year will come to many providers when they receive their letters most likely today of their grant cuts and other program cuts effective immediately. So if there is another solution coming to assist providers to the end of the fiscal year- that has not been communicated.
Comment by carbaby Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:20 am
Senator Murphy, under our state constitution we the people of illinois thought it a bad idea to give the govenor the spending authority tou are arguing for as it left the govenor unchecked. Insert blagoevich name into yur request and ask youraelf ifnyou would still support it.
We have checks and nalances for good reasons. I see no reason why the gov can not propose his spending plans to the GA; and then have the GA vote in support. This seems like political ploy to overcome the
Lack of elected gop members in the ga by transferring the ga job and authority to the govenors office.
Simply explain why the GA should not receive and vote on the govenors plans as required by our laws if you wish this blatant usurpation of our elected officials oversight responsibilites to be taken seriously.
The gov need only ask for the specific cuts and tedirections he would like, there is no need to remove the ga from the approval process
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:24 am
There is no such thing as a political vacuum. Rauner’s fantasies cannot fill what reality dictates. The GA has to move and it will move to fill any voids created by unrealistic Raunerian policies.
Springfield cannot wait while he figures out how to find a hold strong enough to shake it.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:24 am
==The Democrats own this FY15 budget problem. ==
They would have fixed it in December with an extension of the tax increase, but the Governor-elect asked them not to. In so doing, Rauner acquired a share. Now its time for bills to be filed. There is only one out there so far. If the Gov thinks the Senate Dem’s bill is half-baked, it’s time for him to have one of his bought-and-paid-for GA members file one.
Governor: Where’s your bill?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:26 am
Where is Rauners bill to fix the problem? He has had two months to introduce his plan. Instead of leading he has chosen to use his bully pulpit to rag on unions and legislators.
Comment by Joe Blow Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:36 am
If memory serves me, the General Assembly could have continued the 5% income tax rate until the end of the fiscal year. This would have avoided this mess. Governor-elect Rauner pontificated against extending the rate before taking office. He won. Now he owns this mess.
Comment by Bluefish Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:51 am
If you vote present instead of no, can you really say you opposed the idea? If it is such a bad bill how about you stand up and vote no. Perhaps I am being naive, but if a legislator came to me decrying a bill and then told me he/she only voted present, I would laugh in his/her face.
Comment by Demise Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 10:54 am
Demise, they’re waiting on the real bill from the real leader. Don’t worry, it’s coming.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 11:07 am
The money “sitting” in these special State funds, in many cases, is “sitting” because it’s capital funds and pays for acquisition or construction projects that may take years to complete.
If I were a constituency that established a special State fund to pay for something I want, I’d be drafting a bill to repeal the fund and it’s revenue source. Using special State funds to bail out this latest fiscal mess continues the practice of imposing higher taxes on random groups, for example, those who pay snowmobile registration fees in the hope of having snowmobile opportunities.
This isn’t always the case, but many of these special State funds work this way.
Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 11:10 am
Well as a daycare owner for 15 years and a masters degree education professional I will say my State government has punished me several times for accepting the CCAP parents and kids. I go months with no check then get hammered with fines fees and threats on my end for not have cash. They did this in the middle of the depression too. This is the last time I will be punished for being a fool to contract with my State government. They do not care about people only the fence line they defend. A very sad state. When you read comments about children as a waste of cash it makes one wonder what really has worth? Are children programs worthless?
Comment by real one Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 11:11 am
A guy - so they only get so many no votes? They can only vote present until they get a bill they like? That makes no sense. If you oppose it, vote it.
Comment by Demise Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 11:23 am
- Don’t worry, it’s coming. -
Our very own Punxsutawnee Phil, Prognosticator of Prognosticators.
Must be exhausting being right all the time.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 12:00 pm
===they’re waiting on the real bill from the real leader===
A real leader would have had several out there already…
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 12:13 pm
Good job SDems being people of action. All this back room talk with double-talkin’ bad pup that needs to be kept on a strong short leash is not worth the risks.
The man has shown himself to be capable of lying to the public. (private speech/no press–”10 things for my $20M”)
He has also revealed to us that he has a corrupted sense of what is right and wrong. (public Farm Bureau speech-”bad legislators who don’t vote with us”)
Keep him in the crate and get this bill to him! He can not be trusted to roam free.
@carbaby. What letter? CCAP providers? Which grants?
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 12:17 pm
“For over a month, Republicans and the Governor have been ready to move forward with a plan to fund child care, court reporters, payroll at our correctional facilities and also balance the remainder of the deficit.”
Care to share with the class, Leader Durkin?
Comment by Dee Lay Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 12:36 pm
I would be hard pressed also to give a governor, not just Rauner, any governor, a blank check. After all it’s not his money he’s spending, it’s the taxpayers, and that’s who he works for so he needs to give an accounting for what he is going to do with the money. I can just see him going Rogue with the taxpayers money. Anybody with any brains wants details and specifics, you just don’t hand them a blank check and say “GO FOR IT”
Comment by Challengerrt Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 12:42 pm
@9:94 am. “Holding working families hostage until Rauner gets his way ain’t gonna happen. The Dems were right to move forward with this, and Rauner better get on board. A veto would be foolish on his part.”
I am thankful that the Democrats are moving ahead with the people’s agenda. The Illinois Senate Democrats are doing the right thing. This is called leadership.
Comment by Enviro Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Message to Rauner: your not CEO, this is governin.
Comment by LIberty Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 1:47 pm
“Don’t worry, it’s coming”-
For the love of God, man, when?????
Comment by efudd Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 2:34 pm
As soon as the Speaker is ready efudd. Like always.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 4:11 pm
A Guy, so those 10 Yes votes from the GOP that Rauner is insisting upon under threat of primary financial blackmail will need to be on bills filed by Madigan? I’m a bit confused by your lame point. Can you elaborate, or, as usual, will you let your response attempt to stand on its own without substance as per your usual MO? Thanks in advance for your reasoned response to my question.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 6:30 pm
==they’re waiting on the real bill from the real leader==
Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Mar 4, 15 @ 7:51 pm