* A congressional bid and the likely loss of project funding in his district has provoked a major rethink by at least one state Senator about what happened at the end of session. As you’ll recall, the Senate Democrats tacked $430 million in additional spending onto the capital/road bill. That amendment was rejected by the House, but the Senate President has said he still wants that cash (well, much of it - you’ll apparently have to subscribe to get the full story). Sen. Koehler might not be the only one to back away. From what I’m hearing, you can expect some other Downstate Dems to follow suit…

Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, said Senate Democrats were trying to send a message that they thought the state’s basic operations budget, which was prepared in the house, is inadequate.

“I think it was important politically for the Senate Democrats because we were forced to vote on a budget none of us agreed with,” Koehler said.

Now, though, he’s prepared to separate the operations money from the capital projects.

“I think we have to deal with it as two separate issues,” Koehler said. “The capital bill is essential for us to continue projects this summer. I don’t want to tie them together.”

* Gov. Quinn wants that extra budget money as well, and he’s using the possibility of holding up project funding to get it. But he’s hitting a brick wall on both sides of the aisle in the House…

A bill must get a three-fifths majority if it is to pass after May 31, which means at least some Republicans, seven in the House and one in the Senate, must sign on. And it sounds as if Quinn cannot even count on support from members of his own party.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) says “it makes sense to call us back if there is a plan. I haven’t seen a plan come from the governor that is likely to win sufficient support in the legislature in both chambers to make a difference.”

House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) says, “Spending more is something we can’t afford to do right now, and I’m kind of amazed that not everyone gets that.”

* Quinn’s Transportation Secretary is backing him up…

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said the state won’t have the authority to spend money for any work done beginning July 1, when the state’s new fiscal year starts.

* But as a commenter noted yesterday, the administration might be able to cut contracts that pay in advance…

(30 ILCS 105/9.05) (from Ch. 127, par. 145f)
Sec. 9.05. In the event that a voucher is submitted for advance payment of goods or services, the certification prescribed by Section 9.04 shall be made. In addition, the voucher shall state on its face that the goods or services are being procured pursuant to a formal, written contract the terms of which require advance payment. If it is not possible to execute a written contract, the voucher shall so state. The voucher shall also state that the contract requires the goods or services to be delivered or received prior to the expiration of the lapse period of the fiscal year to which the expenditures are charged, provided however, that such a statement shall not be required on vouchers submitted for periodical subscriptions or organizational memberships.
(Source: P.A. 82‑790.)

* The Senate Dems may want to start explaining how paying for all of their desired spending is already built into the budget. Subscribers already know why, but nobody else is covering it, perhaps because they aren’t being properly spoon-fed…

Syverson said that calling lawmakers back to the Capitol during the summer for “political games” is dangerous.

“If (Democrats) want to hold out for additional spending that the state doesn’t have, and they want to kill the capital and road program for this year, then they have to go home and explain to their constituents and the taxpayers why they did that,” said Syverson.

* Good point…

Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, blames Quinn and the Senate Democrats for playing games with the budget.

“The way the budget was crafted in the House, was based on the amount of money that we thought we would have,” Watson said.

When the Senate wanted to boost spending, the capital program was used without identifying new revenue.

“If he (Quinn) was so interested in this, where was he the last two weeks of session? You have to be there to lead,” Watson said.

Yep.

* Related…

* ADDED: Naperville D203 to get $300,000 less than expected in state aid

* ADDED: Fewer families invest in prepaid college tuition plan - Decline casts doubts over future of troubled Illinois program

* Advocates for the homeless decry proposed budget cuts

* Health Alliance sues over insurance procurement

* Quinn to tap Gery Chico to head education board

* Kadner: Construction halt threatened, but state has road funds: I don’t know who is right about whether Quinn can actually spend the $16 billion, but I know what this looks like to the rest of the country. Illinois is a mess. Its government can’t even be counted on to finish road projects once they are started.

* Tribune: Senate Democrats try a maneuver that’s too cute by half: As for you, motorist, transit user and taxpayer: Bear in mind that House Democrats, House Republicans and Senate Republicans are willing to live within the spending limits that the $33.2 billion budget bill already sets in place. So if spending on construction projects comes to a halt this summer, you can thank Cullerton’s Senate Democrats and Gov. Quinn.

* Construction projects could halt if spending bill remains stalled

* Illinois State Toll Highway Authority May Build High-Speed Rail