Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Topinka: State needs to find a billion dollars
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Topinka: State needs to find a billion dollars

Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Topinka warns the state needs more cash

Illinois’ top fiscal officer urged lawmakers Monday to transfer more than $1 billion from financially sound state programs to agencies that are in danger of running out of money, including some that serve seniors, children and the disabled.

Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka said the supplemental funds are needed so the agencies can pay for services through this fiscal year, which ends in June.

“We need to end the denial and address those budget shortfalls before they jeopardize critical services that our residents depend on,” said Topinka, a Republican.

She said a health insurance fund for state workers faces a $900 million shortfall. The Department of Aging needs an estimated $200 million for a program that helps seniors and people with disabilities in home-based settings; workers compensation has requested an additional $82 million; and the Department of Children and Family Services needs about $25 million to avoid laying off child-welfare workers, she said.

* More

She suggested that other state agencies be required to set aside a portion of their appropriation in reserve, money that could be switched to the social-service providers.

The comptroller said the donating agencies and programs would have to be “financially sound.” Asked who might fit that definition, she pointed to Gov. Pat Quinn, saying that all of the agencies “report to the governor” and that he is “in the best position” to determine who can do without.

Ms. Topinka said she’s willing to set aside 12 percent of her budget, about $3 million, for that purpose. […]

Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, chairman of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee, says it “is correct” that more money is needed and vendors need to be paid, but Ms. Topinka needs to put some skin in the game herself with specifics. “If she has identified additional reserves,” Ms. Feigenholtz said in an email, “she should present a detailed plan and we will gladly review it.”

* Meanwhile

Despite repeated failures, Democrats again are considering a multibillion-dollar loan to pay down the state’s backlog of past-due bills, now hovering at a near-record $9 billion.

Republicans, led by State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, continue to resist the short-term loan idea as a way for Illinois to pay down stacks of invoices overdue by as much as four months to businesses, charities and local governments performing some of the state’s most essential services.

But an influential Senate Democrat, John Sullivan, is working on a borrowing proposal to re-introduce in this spring’s legislative session. A House budget leader, Rep. Frank Mautino, said a loan would mean “tremendous” savings and should be part of upcoming budget negotiations with Gov. Pat Quinn.

But

Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said Topinka’s vociferous testimony against the measure during last fall’s session had “a chilling effect” because borrowing is “the kind of thing that needs a bipartisan coalition.”

Translation: Without bipartisan support, Madigan probably won’t move ahead with this.

* Related…

* Deadbeat Illinois: Ambulance services suffer as state delays payments

* Drug disposal program languishes as state waits for funding to build

       

34 Comments
  1. - Sue - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 6:29 am:

    Judy- here is a thought- reduce the State contributions into the pension funds by a Billion $$ and fund more pressing needs- the only way to get the unions to the table for serious negotiations on the pensions is to reduce the $$ being contributed- why should the IEA, IFT and the rest of the bunch give serious thought to negotiating a solution as long as the State is making 100 percent of the funding contributions recommended by the actuaries?


  2. - Skeeter - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 6:54 am:

    What she should recommend is that each state department look at the core of what it is supposed to do. The department can then focus on that core goal, and get everything else.

    For instance, the Comptroller should focus on the money management task and get out of the dog adoption task, even if that means that the Comptroller can no longer pose with cute little doggies.

    And then maybe the Comptroller can look at her office and realize that it exists for no other reason than politics and recommend that it be folded into the Treasurer’s office.

    At least those are the recommendations that a Comptroller would make if she cared about our money and not about getting headlines for the Comptroller.


  3. - PublicServant - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 6:58 am:

    Sue, here’s a thought. Let’s get the cash to pay for state services from the taxpayers and not the constitutionally and contractually protected pension funds. Your drive-by comments are as repetitive as they are predictable. Say hello to your fellow tea-partiers for me.


  4. - Joe Taxpayer - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 7:10 am:

    I don’t know….seniors, children and the disabled are some of the state’s most vulnerable people.

    I kind of agree with Sue, we need to prioritize things a little better. The thought of throwing the most vulnerable out on the streets to fend for themselves is horrifying.


  5. - Sue - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 7:17 am:

    Hi Joe- did you happen to miss the news on Indiana which now has a 500 million $$ surplus- how long do you think the taxpayers want to see their hard earned contributions flushed down the Springfield toilet of ineptitude- it is time to stop hoping that taxes are the only answer- the answer is reform plus taxes which will only happen when we elect public officials who recognize we are in a crisis and need to address both spending and revenue


  6. - Sue - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 7:19 am:

    Sorry Joe- my comment was intended for public Servant


  7. - Joe Taxpayer - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 7:45 am:

    “Translation: Without bipartisan support, Madigan probably won’t move ahead with this.”

    So Madigan is willing to hold seniors, children and the disabled hostage?

    Speaker Madigan, your party controls all the levers of power in Springfield, and has for over a decade. Your party has controlled the state’s largest city lock, stock, and barrel for decades.

    You control redistricting in the state. You control which candidates get campaign funds. Hell, you even have a member of your party that is from Illinois in the White House in the first days of his second term controlling the executive branch of the largest, richest nation on earth.

    What else do you need, man?

    PLEASE stop holding seniors, children and the disabled hostage!


  8. - Sir Reel - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 7:48 am:

    I suspect the “supplemental” funds Topinka refers to included dedicated funds. Is Quinn ready to skim/borrow from such funds again? Folks I’ve talked to who have created and paid into dedicated funds for a specific purpose are disgusted that their efforts and money have been taken.


  9. - PublicServant - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 8:29 am:

    Facts I’d like to introduce you to Sue. Sue, if you have a moment to educate yourself, and you would, if you turned Hannity off, read the following:

    http://www.ctbaonline.org/New_Folder/Budget,%20Tax%20and%20Revenue/CTBA%20Graduated%20Income%20Tax%20FINAL%20Report%20Feb%202012.pdf


  10. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 8:32 am:

    You’ll never see interest rates this low again. A portion of the income tax increase was dedicated for a bond issue to pay old bills.

    The choice is between continuing to borrow from social service providers at a higher rate — putting them and their clients at risk — or borrowing from Wall Street at a lower rate.

    It’s just arithmetic. The rest is just spin.


  11. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 8:42 am:

    Need to find a Billion Dolars? One word.

    “Shoeboxes”

    To the Post,

    ===Without bipartisan support, Madigan probably won’t move ahead with this.===

    Madigan, who is pretty good at things, will not go down this borrowing road without Republican votes. Further, Madigan won’t go down this road unless Quinn gets his act together to get some Republican votes, because, at this point, and the way Madigan ended the 97th GA without a vote on the Dopey commission, Madigan is making it quite clear, “It ain’t all gonna be me.”

    Sidebar - Where are all those “Conservative Reagan Republicans”? Where is the “Way to go, Comptroller”? Is Comptroller Topinka not worthy of your fiscal conservative praise? Well … McSweeney? Oberweis? McCarter? Topinka is fighting those nasty Democrats, fiscally …all I hear are crickets? 80% is still 80%.


  12. - Anonymour - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 9:21 am:

    OW - the reason you hear crickets is that they are too small for Squeezey to bother eating.


  13. - Caveman - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 9:29 am:

    I suggest we increase the income tax to 5% for a couple years to pay off the backlog. Oh wait, never mind.


  14. - Anyone Remember? - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 9:43 am:

    Caveman -

    As was noted on these pages previously, Dan Rutherford has stated the increase has all gone to the pension ramp up. Not a penny for past due bills.

    https://capitolfax.com/2012/10/24/try-to-remain-calm/


  15. - Dirty Red - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 9:55 am:

    Did someone seriously suggest skimming the state’s pension contribution for other spending? Really? I realize it was a three day weekend, but seriously listen to what you’re suggesting, Sue.

    Skeeter - She’s talked about consolidating the offices since before she took office. The Senate passed it unanimously. The Speaker won’t budge and call the bill for a vote. Why should she continue to put her political capital behind an amendment that is going nowhere? I’m not saying consolidation is a bad idea because it’s a great idea. But standing behind a bill as dead as the Comptroller of the Treasury for so long would be too Pat Quinnish.


  16. - Caveman - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 9:57 am:

    Anyone Remember-
    The point is what was presented as a fix is not.
    http://www.senategop.state.il.us/index.php/in-the-news-mainmenu-123/recent-news/1313-as-second-year-of-tax-increase-comes-to-an-end-a-new-report-shows-illinois-remains-dead-last-in-pension-funding-


  17. - USMCJanitor - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 9:59 am:

    SKeeter
    ==What she should recommend is that each state department look at the core of what it is supposed to do. The department can then focus on that core goal, and get everything else.===

    Dead on. This has to start right away. Instead of each department or agency constantly looking to get more money and expand what they do (for PR or other reasons). The need to focus on their core responsibilities and prioritize.

    In private business its what we have to do! we dont expand what we do unless we can afford it. We cut budgets ALL THE TIME. But a cut in government and the first cries are “old people and children will die!!! Police and Fireman will lose their jobs!!!”

    Sorry. If that is all our state government did I could see it. But we have programs, services, and agencies that just continue to grow with no way to pay for them and right now people and business are not exactly flooding to Illinois and providing hopes for a bright future.

    On Madigan… what can you say. the Democrat party in Illinois controls pretty much everything and has big majorities, but he says he needs bi-partisan support. BS. He doesnt want to own the issue. But he needs to.


  18. - Kevin Highland - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:11 am:

    “And then maybe the Comptroller can look at her office …and recommend that it be folded into the Treasurer’s office. –Skeeter

    If you look back in time on this very blog https://capitolfax.com/2011/01/26/topinka-unveils-her-list-of-painless-cuts/ the Comptroller suggested that very thing:

    · FISCAL OFFICE CONSOLIDATION ($12 million in savings): Combining the offices of Treasurer and Comptroller will save an estimated $12 million annually – and while we’re at it, let’s look at the Lt. Gov’s office and all the other unnecessary layers of government that exist in Illinois.

    I’m sure she ran for the office because it constitutionally needs to be filled until the do nothing legislature can pass the Constitutional amendment to eliminate the office.


  19. - Wumpus - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:17 am:

    Why does Skeeter hate doggies?

    Nah, I actually think his suggestion is a great start.


  20. - dupage dan - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:18 am:

    What I used to do is to put the gas company check into the electric bill envelope and vice/versa. Or, I would “forget” to sign the check when I put it into the phone company envelope. That usually gave me a couple weeks leeway.


  21. - cubird - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:21 am:

    Comments that Illinois tax rates should be like the State of Indiana…I agree. We should adopt their service tax policy.


  22. - mythoughtis - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:25 am:

    I agree seniors should be protected. Now why is it that we should only protect seniors that did not work for the state prior to becoming seniors?

    I agree we should protect the disabled. Now why is it that we should only protect the disabled that did not work for the state prior to becoming disabled?

    If we don’t make the required pension contributions, then we will not adequately fund the retirement security for retired state employees, therely making them poor enough to be eligible for state services for the low income. Thereby increasing the strain on that budget… unless of course we will only protect the low income people that were not formerly state employees?

    I suggest we stop all feel good grants. If it is not legally required, necessary for security, safety, food, shelter, utilities, etc… then we give it a once-over to see if we really need it. If you wouldn’t fund it in your home budget, then maybe we need to re-think it in the state budget. If we still need to fund it, then let’s face it, the temporary tax increase become permanent, and we start legalizing things that we have ruled illegal to protect adults from themselves.


  23. - ChrisB - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:26 am:

    @Skeeter

    She basically ran on that second point during her election. I could be wrong, but I believe that she’s been banging that gong since she was the Treasurer.

    Talk to Madigan about merging the offices, JBT is totally for it.


  24. - walkinfool - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:32 am:

    JBT tells the truth, and talks like many of the responsible Democrats in Springfield. There’s got to be a way to meet at the center on this.


  25. - Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 10:45 am:

    Nice to see that even California managed to balance their books and pay their bills current during the past 2 years or so.

    Us? Not so much.

    Someone call Jerry Brown, quick.


  26. - Irish - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 11:07 am:

    “If she has identified additional reserves,” Ms. Feigenholtz said in an email, “she should present a detailed plan and we will gladly review it.”

    “But don’t expect any of us to take the time or expend the effort to come up with a plan ourselves to solve the fiscal problems.” she went on to say. “We are only here a few days a year and we only have time to say no.”


  27. - dupage dan - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 11:12 am:

    This sounds all too familiar - when borrowing was suggested in the past, Madigan indicated a need for bipartisan support. The GOP indicated they were adamant that no borrowing should be done. Calls for looking for fat in the budget/eliminating waste fraud and abuse were trumpeted. Nothing was done and here we are.

    Happy New Year


  28. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 11:19 am:

    Notice the health insruance is the biggest item listed? Back last year, we knew this day was coming when the GA underfunded the employee / retiree health insurance.

    The only surprise of sorts is the $800M amount for that item; at the time they were estimating only about $400M short and figuring on getting that from the retirees by eliminating the “20 year premium free health insurance”.


  29. - USMCJanitor - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 11:45 am:

    WalkinFool
    ===There’s got to be a way to meet at the center on this===

    What center? Political center or center between cuts/spending? or where?

    I just heard this also this morning… Meeting in the middle, need bipartisan support… Illinois is not run by the republicans. Here we have a single party in control, they dont need repubs for anything.


  30. - MrJM - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 3:01 pm:

    Topinka: State needs to find a billion dollars

    Has anybody looked under the car seat? There’s usually some money under there…

    – MrJM


  31. - cassandra - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 3:39 pm:

    Are we sure all the cash-seeking agencies have made the necessary economies. DCFS, for example, had a well-publicized plan to move mid-level managers into field positions, to bolster the front-lines and reduce caseloads–as well as middle management flab. Nobody was to be laid off either. But then Quinn terminated the contract, so it wasn’t clear the required negotiations were completed. These, and similar economies should be implemented across the board before agencies start transferring cash to one another.


  32. - Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 4:20 pm:

    “But we’ve cut to the bone and then some.”

    Not.

    The SJ-R recently reported on an IDOT “Urban Streetscape” grant program with $20 million available IIRC. The City of SPI is planning to apply for $5 million to complete the “Capitol Avenue Beautification Project” between 2nd and 5th streets.
    First of all, why should State (or maybe Federal) taxpayers fund projects of local value? Secondly, are they going to pave the street with gold bricks? Over $1 million a city block. Geez.


  33. - wishbonelpable - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 6:18 pm:

    I know broken record, but a 4% across the board cut on all appropriations (except pensions) would generate almost exactly the one billion needed. Challenge the so called senior agency managers to do their jobs with 96% of last year’s resources. It seems so obvious.


  34. - wishbone - Tuesday, Jan 22, 13 @ 6:20 pm:

    That was wishbone.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Reader comments closed for the holidays
* And the winners are…
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Update to previous editions
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Report: Far-right Illinois billionaires may have skirted immigration rules
* Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards (Updated)
* Energy Storage Brings Cheaper Electricity, Greater Reliability
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller