This just in…
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Administration Initiates Additional Management Steps to Prepare for Madigan-Cullerton Budget
Steps to Save Additional $420 Million
Cancel Funding for Legislative Earmarks
Freeze Non-Transportation Capital Projects
House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their caucuses two weeks ago finished passing a budget with a $4 billion hole.
Since that time, Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton have refused to pass real, compromise reforms that will grow the economy, pay down the debt and end the era of wasteful spending and broken budgets while implementing parliamentary maneuvers to keep the governor from acting on the budget bills.
In preparation for the possibility of having no budget on July 1, or a budget with a $4 billion hole, the Administration is initiating its second round of steps to responsibly manage the state’s finances. However, the options available to the Administration remain limited because the Madigan-Cullerton budget includes no reforms.
“Governor Rauner has compromised repeatedly, but Speaker Madigan and the politicians he controls continue to block any real reform,” Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said. “It’s deeply troubling to see that Speaker Madigan remains committed to sacrificing the middle class in order to protect the political class.”
More steps will be announced as they are finalized.
Statewide
Action Initiated
· Notify all State of Illinois vendors to prepare for the potential of a longer delay in receiving payments for goods and services provided to the State.
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend capital projects, including construction at state facilities, schools and colleges.
· Suspend all capital grants for legislators’ earmarks and non-bonded or “pay as you go” capital projects.
· This freeze does not include road and other Department of Transportation projects.
· Significantly reduce use of outside legal counsel by eliminating and/or reducing legal contracts.
Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Action Initiated
· Reinstate timely re-determinations of Medicaid eligibility.
· Roll back rates for ambulance services and renal care services to SMART-Act levels.
· Reduce managed care capitation rates.
· Discontinue special Medicaid payments to some hospitals.
· Increase eligibility threshold (Determination of Need Score) to a level more consistent with national eligibility levels.
· Achieve cost savings using new procurement strategy for purchasing durable medical equipment.
Department of Natural Resources
Effective September 1, 2015
· Suspend operations at the World Shooting Recreational Complex (WSRC) near Sparta. The site will become closed to the public and not available for events.
o All events scheduled through August 2015, including the Grand American, will not be impacted by this action.
Department of Agriculture
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend funding to county fairs for premiums and fairground rehabilitation projects.
· Suspend funding for agricultural extension and 4-H clubs for premiums at agricultural shows.
· Suspend funding for premiums for Agricultural Education Fairs.
· Suspend funding for the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
· Suspend funding to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend funding to Choose Chicago for tourism promotion.
Department of State Police
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend FY16 initiative to purchase new forensic equipment.
Office of State Fire Marshal
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend funding for the Chicago Fire Department training program.
· Suspend reimbursements for fire department training to other local governments.
· Suspend funding for small fire-fighting and ambulance equipment grants.
Criminal Justice Information Authority
Effective July 1, 2015
· Suspend the following legislative earmarks:
o YouthBuild grants;
o Bullying Prevention grants;
o Franklin County Methamphetamine Pilot Program; and
o South Suburban Major Crimes Taskforce.
· Suspend statewide funding for Operation CeaseFire.
· Suspend funding for Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention grants.
Department of Human Services
Effective July 1, 2015
Suspend funding for Community Services for juvenile delinquency program serving youth and young adults administered by the Chicago Area Project.
Suspend funding for Immigrant Integration Services. Access to the Department’s programs will continue through local offices.
Suspend funding for Welcoming Centers. Access to the Department’s programs will continue through local offices.
Suspend funding for the Youth Employment legislative earmark.
Department of Public Health
Effective July 1, 2015
Suspend funding for Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV.
Suspend funding to the Tobacco Quitline.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Effective July 1, 2015
Reduce funding for state-funded job training programs and suspend funding to legislative earmarks for job training. This does not impact the Department’s federal job training funds.
Suspend funding for all coal programs at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, including discontinuing subsidies to coal companies.
Suspend funding for the Renewable Energy Program. This does not impact the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards program.
Suspend funding for the Energy Efficiency Program.
Department of Transportation
Effective July 1, 2015
· Reduce funding for Amtrak.
· Suspend state add-on payment to PACE.
· Suspend state subsidy for Regional Transportation Authority Reduced Fares grant.
Department of Revenue
Effective July 1, 2015
· Reduce funding for the following housing programs administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority:
o Multifamily Finance Program;
o Reduce Homebuyer Acquisition Rehabilitation Program; and
o Reduce Homeowner Emergency Repair Program.
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Effective July 1, 2015
· Delay opening of Chicago Veterans’ Home.
…Adding… That vendor notification mentioned above…
June 12, 2015
Please be advised that for the new state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, payment of bills by the State of Illinois may be delayed beyond current timeframes as a result of the budget bills passed by the General Assembly, which are $4 billion out of balance, in violation of the State’s Constitutional requirement for a balanced budget. Furthermore, these budget bills have not been sent by the General Assembly to the Governor for him to act upon.
Due to the General Assembly’s irresponsible actions, it is also possible state government will start the new fiscal year on July 1, 2015 without a budget in place, which would also lead to increased payment delays. As a result of these current scenarios and without the enactment of a balanced budget, vendors providing goods and services to Illinois should expect longer payment delays.
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Weekend shopping plans?
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Judy Baar Topinka’s estate sale began yesterday and will run through Saturday afternoon…
Anyone who knew the late Judy Baar Topinka knows that she was an inveterate estate sale and garage sale freak. When you heard stories about Topinka’s habit of haunting such sales through the years, you may have wondered just what she picked up and brought home.
Well, wonder no longer. Beginning today (actually it began at 10 a.m. on Thursday) there’s an estate sale at the former Illinois comptroller’s Riverside home at 380 Herrick Road. The announcement we found online describes it as “massive.”
* From the announcement…
SALE DESCRIPTION: many area rugs -runners-mats-machine made and one hand made oriental, collection of artwork - over 60 pieces- oil paintings - etchings - posters and many more, collection of outdoor banners - Northwester - Marines - Army - Illinois - Village of Riverside and more, collection of over 1000 pieces of clothing-many new with tags-excellent condition-Small-medium-large - EVENING GOWNS, dozens of scarves & purses-evening bags and also lots of ladies hats, shoes & boots-many new in box-size 9-10 W-casual-heels-sandals-winter boots and LOTS of CROCS-KEDS-ENZO ANGIOLINI-NATURALIZER-CARESSA-HIGHLIGHTS-many new in box, sweaters, sweatshirts, tee-shirts, dresses, belts, blouses, designer clothing by; St. Johns -Ralph Lauren, Ann Klein, Mita, Dana Buchman Alfred Dunner, Louis Ferand, Damask, Lauren Lein, J.S.S., Vicki Wayne, Karen Scott and many more designer names, 3 pieces set-1940’s mahogany leather end tables & matching coffee table, porcelain German - Austrian plates, set of china, CANDLES,collection of music & trinket boxes, cups & saucers, lots of kitchen items - mixers - blenders - toasters - coffee pots - makers - utensils - warmers - baking/roasting items - cast iron frying pans - pots - pans - LOTS & LOTS of KITCHEN STUFF, lots of wall shelves, decorative platters, busts of different historical figures, mirrors, lots of frames, collection of animals - pigs, Scotty dogs - Lions - elephant - giraffes - dogs and many more, collection of German beer steins, collection of small figurines - - serving pieces and more, collection of crystal - vases - serving pieces - candlesticks and more, LOTS & LOTS (hundreds) of small collectibles, bedding - blankets - comforters - quilts - pillow cases - some new all others dry cleaned and more, toiletries, 100’s of VHS tapes, CD’S, DVD’S, AND SO MUCH MORE.
THERE IS SO MUCH IN THIS HOUSE, THE GARAGE AND THE BASEMENT. IT IS STUFFED AND THEN SOME!
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What the what???
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Steve Daniels…
Here’s how loopy Illinois’ energy markets have become.
On average, downstate Illinoisans will pay at least $130 more for electricity over the next year, and the extra cash they’re shelling out in their utility bills will go in part to reduce rates in neighboring Missouri. […]
“It clearly shows there is something deeply wrong with the structure MISO is using for the auction,” said David Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, a Chicago-based consumer watchdog. “You have the direct transfer of wealth from Illinois consumers to Missouri consumers in the same utility family.”
Asked whether MISO (pronounced MY-SOH, short for Midcontinent Independent System Operator) thought it appropriate for downstate Illinoisans to be charged more only to have their higher payments used to reduce Missouri rates, a spokesman for the grid operator said that question should be put to Ameren. “Each utility has its own rules to determine how credits are distributed to customers, and MISO does not play a role in that utility-customer relationship,” spokesman Jay Hermacinski wrote in an email.
MISO’s reticence was odd in light of Ameren’s statement that it had no choice but to bid capacity from its Illinois plants into MISO’s zonal auction for downstate Illinois—a fact MISO confirmed.
Go read the rest for the technical details.
Ugh.
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Question of the day
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* SJ-R…
Hollywood actress Olivia Munn is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto a bill that would create a bobcat hunting season in Illinois.
The legislation passed the Illinois House on May 31 and headed to the governor’s desk, where it awaits action from Rauner. A similar measure passed in 2014 but, Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, vetoed it on his last day in office.
The Humane Society released a statement from Munn, a noted animal rights activist who has worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, in which she called on the Republican governor to veto the bill.
Her letter is here.
* The Question: Be honest, and no Googling allowed. Do you know who Olivia Munn is? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
panel management
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LaHood hit on craft beer vote
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Liz Mair, who is repping congressional candidate Mike Flynn (yes, that Liz Mair)…
Good evening:
I wanted to flag this for you… it appears that Darin LaHood was one of just two senators to give a thumbs-up to bigger, more intrusive government in this little-noticed recent vote.
Please consider this response from Mike Flynn, LaHood’s primary opponent:
“It’s votes like this where a legislator shows his true colors: Is he for more big, intrusive government or freeing innovative, early-stage and smaller businesses from stifling regulation that prevents them from hiring more Illinoisans and growing our economy? LaHood has shown his big government stripes with this vote, and voters in the 18th district should beware putting another big government-happy Republican into the House of Representatives.”
Thanks
Liz
* The linked article…
Legislation approved by the House this week would allow breweries to operate up to three brew pubs and tap houses while producing much more beer than is currently legally allowed. The proposal is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Currently, a brewery that also runs a brew pub or tap room can produce up to 30,000 barrels of beer annually. This new legislation would bump that number up to 120,000 barrels. […]
The legislation passed the Illinois Senate two weeks ago 46-2, with state Sen. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, casting one of those unfavorable votes.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone whacked over a craft beer vote before.
Also, I saw Liz on TV not long ago and thought she did a pretty darned good job.
* And speaking of Flynn…
Paul Caprio, Director of Family-Pac Federal, Illinois’ leading pro-family political action committee, issued the following statement regarding the positions of Michael Flynn, GOP candidate for Congress in the 18th District. Flynn is a candidate in the July 7th GOP Primary Election to fill the seat of recently resigned Republican Aaron Schock.
Said Caprio, “We react today to troubling and reckless statements made by Mr. Flynn regarding marriage, the most fundamental and important institution in our society.”
On September 2, 2008 in a Reason.com article, Flynn criticized key social planks in the GOP national platform. Flynn stated:
“A lot to dislike (in the platform) e.g., protecting traditional marriage…”
In July 2012, in a Breitbart article, Mr. Flynn says the following:
“I’m rabidly agnostic on the issue of gay marriage. Marriage is just something I don’t think the government has much business mucking around in.”
Caprio continued, “Mr. Flynn’s position on gay marriage puts him far out of the mainstream of Illinois Republican voters.
“More fundamentally, however, Mr. Flynn’s radical libertarian position that government has no business “mucking” around in marriage is both reckless and ignorant.
“A fundamental purpose of marriage is to legally attach children to parents for the purpose of support and nurturing. If this duty is not clearly established by the State of Illinois, we would see more and more children without the benefit of parental upbringing and more and more need for the state and private charities to provide support and funding to protect these children. Conservatives want children raised by their parents, not raised by taxpayer supported big government programs.
“Mr. Flynn’s reckless comments reveal his ignorance of conservative family values and his unfitness to serve as a member of the U.S. Congress.”
Family-Pac Federal, along with every other statewide pro-life and traditional pro-family organization, has endorsed pro-life State Senator Darin LaHood in the July 7th GOP Primary Election.
* And from LaHood…
State Senator Darin LaHood announced that he has returned over $100,000 of his Senate Office’s allotted budget to the state during his time in office.
“I made it a priority to spend tax dollars responsibly during my time in Springfield,” said LaHood. “We all know that Washington has a spending problem, so I will lead by example and continue to abide by the same standards as I have in the past. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to ensure that the tax dollars sent to Washington by the families of Central and Western Illinois are being spent wisely to better serve them and meet their needs.”
Since assuming office in March of 2011, LaHood has returned on average of $21,995 or 26.5% of his Senate Office’s yearly allotted budget. LaHood consistently ranks among the top Senators on his office budget returns.
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The civil justice system gives everyone a fair chance
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
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When corporations and their CEOs act irresponsibly by delaying or refusing to pay fair and just insurance claims, producing unsafe products, polluting our environment or swindling their employees and shareholders, the last resort for Americans to hold them accountable is in our courts. To learn more, click here.
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Kirk react
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Lynn Sweet…
Compounding the political problem triggered by the tasteless remark: All of Kirk’s major potential Democratic rivals are women. Former Chicago Urban League Chief Andrea Zopp is running, along with Rep. Tammy Duckworth D-Ill. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., is mulling a bid.
Zopp told me, “He may think it’s ‘just a joke among the boys,’ but Mark Kirk’s remark about Lindsey Graham having ‘no ho’ is just one more reason why Illinois needs new leadership in the U.S. Senate.
“No woman, let alone a woman like me, an African-American and mother of two daughters, who has prosecuted rapists and wife abusers and who has spent much of her career overcoming sexist and racist stereotypes would think his remark either appropriate or funny. Clueless or Reckless? Either way it’s time for a change — which is why I’m running to replace him,” Zopp said.
Kaitlin Fahey, who is Duckworth’s campaign manager said, “Illinois women already know Mark Kirk isn’t on their side by his votes against equal pay and affordable child care for working families. Now we also know he’s humor-challenged. Senator Kirk’s ‘joke’ is as offensive as it is unfunny, and he should apologize, personally and immediately.”
By early evening, Duckworth was using Kirk’s bro/ho comment in an e-mail fundraising appeal in which Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., wrote, “this kind of sexist language has no place in the U.S. Senate. Contribute to Tammy Duckworth’s campaign now to replace Mark Kirk with a senator who will champion women. “
The Tribune plastered its story all over the front page.
* Kass believes Kirk will tank the entire GOP ticket unless he resigns…
He hasn’t had much of a filter on what he says in recent years. Whether that has anything to do with the stroke he suffered in 2012, I don’t know. It seems he was once more cautious. Now words just pop out of there. […]
And now he’s hip-deep in Ho-Gate, with no way out except one:
Discreetly step down and let Illinois Republican bosses pick a replacement candidate to run for election in 2016.
“But who’s going to tell him?” said a GOP insider. “I don’t want to do it.”
Kirk and Kass are on opposite sides of the GOP, so I’m not so sure I trust that analysis.
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I suppose it could be worse
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Eight years ago today: June 12, 2007, 1:18 pm…
[Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson]: “I just don’t know for sure whether the governor really truly wants to get out of here… If he did, we’d be focusing on the budget, we’d be talking about the issues of revenue and spending.”
Watson: [The governor is not] getting message that GRT is dead. He talked about it “several times” today.
Substitute “GRT” with “anti-union stuff” and it could be June 12, 2015.
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Unclear on the concept
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the BN-D…
On another level, the carefully organized protest last week [against Gov. Rauner], complete with its slick, professional signs, was actually a good sign for Illinois. It means that Madigan and Cullterton are running scared that Rauner is going to disrupt their status quo. The politicians understand that Rauner has the momentum, and that the balance of power in Illinois may be on the verge of shifting from the special interests to the overall public good.
I don’t mean to single out the BN-D because I talk to a whole lot of people every day and I often hear this same sort of thing from both sides.
People are seeing exactly what they want to see. They’ve made their enemies into one-dimensional cartoon characters and placed their heroes on white horses. No way can they lose. Victory is assured. Can’t you see the signs? It’s in the bag!
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More workers’ comp thoughts
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Louis Atsaves in comments…
I have practiced in the field of Workers’ Compensation in Illinois for 35 years both as a defense (respondent) and plaintiff (petitioner) attorney.
A day or so ago someone claimed the cost for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery was $2,000.00. I threw out a bunch or real numbers. No one seemed to want to talk about them.
Some issued raised in this posting need more clarification:
Causation: Exists under the Act, in spite of some opinions to the contrary. The same causation standard exists in Illinois as in Indiana. A Petitioner who fails to prove causation at the Commission loses his case and gets nothing. A Respondent who fails to rebut a causation opinion loses their case and pays off an award.
Demanding primary cause or principle cause for compensation purposes will probably create a cottage industry of physicians who would be willing to testify to their “opinion” mirroring the new statutory requirements. Respondents still have a industry of physicians who hardly ever find causation or pretend temporary causation for a few weeks based on a 15 minute examination. I predict an increase in litigation as a result. Since reasonable doctors can differ in their opinions and diagnosis, the odds of a fraud prosecution here would be extremely rate. For a system at the Commission that relies upon a nearly 90% settlement rate, it would cost business more money to add additional Arbitrators and Court Reporters. Why? Because business through a portion of their premiums pay for the lions share of costs of running the Illinois Workers’ Compensation system.
Apportioning fault in repetitive trauma cases is an interesting concept, but I don’t see too many cases like that happening that actually could apportion fault within a three year statute of limitations. Current statute of limitations on repetitive trauma cases (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) start the clock when a reasonable person would understand they are suffering from this problem and seek a diagnosis, or upon diagnosis. Other than filling Arbitration hearing rooms with lawyers, little will be accomplished by these provisions as I have seen them in legislative form.
The traveling employee hysterics are similar to those approximately 15 years ago when a handful of employees were injured at company picnics/outings and sought compensation. The proposal then was to use a sledgehammer towards a tiny handful of cases while allowing major problems to continue to fester. This diversion tactic seems to be in full bloom with traveling employees this year. Savings? Practically non-existent.
Comparing total payouts for 100% loss of arms on a state by state basis using maximum rates for injured workers making high wages is not a true comparison. Use what a nurse’s aid makes and the numbers tighten up considerably. A small percentage of workers in Illinois seeking Workers Compensation receive maximum rates. Using extreme situations will not solve any problems.
The insurance premium savings is an issue worthy of additional study. The NCCI benchmarks are a start, but the strange math used to claim a billion dollars in savings is being pocketed was displayed in front of Rep. Hoffman when he chaired the Committee as a Whole of the House recently.
Want to save money in this field without hurting the injured workers right to compensation?
Return to 2005 PPD standards by repealing the 7.5% increase passed by the House and Senate and signed by Blagojevich. We went from 23rd in costs among all the states to 2nd within 2 years after that stunt.
Under Section 8(e) specific loss cases, employers receive credit towards older cases a petitioner is compensated for under the Act. Under Section 8(d)2 where most back injuries and now shoulder injuries receive compensation, no credits for prior injuries occur.
Create new categories under Section 8(e) for lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine injuries, add hips and shoulders, and allow credits for prior injuries. Now an employee can sprain/strain his back 10 times over 20 years, receive awards for 2% man as a whole (10 weeks at his PPD rate) for each. For knee cases, if the employee under Section 8(e) receives 2% leg, and later reinjures that knee, if it becomes a 3% case, he gets paid 1% and the employer gets credit for 2%.
Fix the medical fee schedule. Some medical providers receive 85-90% of their bills in comp, others barely 55-60%. Other states make it more uniform using Medicare rates as a baseline and adding a surcharge that is the same across the board.
Fix Section 10 of the Act, which concerns calculation of the average weekly wage. The current form is convoluted and at times creates a windfall for an injured worker, and other times screws him. The average weekly wage is used to calculate lost time and permanency benefits, and is important. Other states have more fairer, streamlined calculations.
Remove all the hotheads who “testify” before uninformed legislators who have no idea what is going on in Workers’ Comp. in Illinois. Every time they use “fair” in their testimony, I cringe. Both sides have redefined “fair.” Bring in some individuals with technical expertise who can figure out how to reduce costs while maintaining benefits.
The system was originally designed to be “simple and summary in nature” as a tradeoff against going to circuit court and getting bogged down in rules. Over the years, the Act has become bulkier and less simple and summary. And the complaints about the system and Act as a result are getting louder.
Discuss.
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Rauner promises to keep state services afloat
Friday, Jun 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From yesterday near the Quad Cities…
“The critical thing is we get a balanced budget not a phony budget and what I do not support is a month-to-month unbalanced phony budget, so all we’re doing is breaking a phony budget up into 12 one-month pieces and going month-to-month,” [Gov. Rauner] said. “That’s not the right way to go.”
Rauner also said they have plans to keep state services afloat if the budget doesn’t pass before July 1st.
If he’s gonna make promises like that, he’d better be prepared to keep ‘em.
* The question now is what can he do to make that happen? If he vetoes everything outright, there will be no spending authority for most programs…
Absent an agreement on a budget by July 1, payments from the state to most groups — social service agencies, the needy, Medicaid providers — will grind to an abrupt halt, state Comptroller Leslie Munger warned Thursday.
“There will be very real consequences for taxpayers and organizations in every part of our state, and sadly the situation will be hardest on those who are most vulnerable in our state, those who can least afford to go without help from the state,” she said during a visit to Peoria’s City Hall to urge legislative leaders to reach an agreement with Gov. Bruce Rauner on a spending plan.
The new fiscal year is supposed to begin July 1. But without legal authority under a budget to spend money, Munger’s hands are effectively tied.
In addition to holding off on funds for not-for-profits, the impoverished and others, expedited payments to service providers will be halted. Once July 15 rolls around, state employees will miss payroll but still be expected to show up to work.
* But he could use his veto pen selectively…
The Governor may reduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to him. Portions of a bill not reduced or vetoed shall become law.
So, he could reduce or line item veto some specific appropriations in all the bills. That would allow him to spend all the other un-vetoed lines in the bills and spend the reduced lines up to his veto point.
But he keeps saying he won’t tolerate a “phony” unbalanced budget, meaning he’ll have to find as much as $4 billion in cuts to make his rhetoric match his action.
* There are several things that can’t be touched, like pension, bond and local government payments, which all have continuing resolutions. They are also very big-ticket items.
Rauner has pledged to never cut K-12 education spending, which is one of the biggest tickets of the big tickets. The feds aren’t going to let the state get away with massive Medicaid cuts, which is another huge spending driver. There are judicial consent decrees about programs at DCFS and other court cases involving the Department of Corrections, two more expensive state tasks.
So, what’s left? Social service grants take up a big chunk, but many are extremely important. He’ll have no choice but to cut them, even though, in my opinion, they fall under the purview of “state services” that he promised yesterday to keep “afloat.”
State parks, universities, community colleges, state police, environmental protection, the myriad number of agriculture programs, and on and on and on and on would have to be on the chopping block. But those are all state services, right?
* So, maybe he does a 20-30 percent across the board cut or something. But there’s only so much of that you can do without having to shut down lots and lots of services.
All I gotta say is, I wouldn’t want to be Tim Nuding right now.
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