Budget office prepares for the worst
Thursday, Jun 15, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a GOMB memo to state agencies…
confidential/policy formulation
This template should not be forwarded or shared with agency staff other than Director, Chief of Staff (or other comparable position), General Counsel, or Chief Financial Officer (i.e. this should only be shared with staff who may meet or discuss the contents of w/ GOMB). This is a confidential document.
Please fill out the attached template, adding pages as necessary, to provide information to GOMB on priority ‘red flag’ issues that may face your agency in event of a scenario where no FY18 appropriations have been enacted from any fund when the fiscal year begins (including no appropriations from other state funds or federal funds). In the template, please note to the extent these red flag issues may be addressed if state funds and federal funds outside of the general funds are appropriated.
Issues can be grouped into payment types (e.g. a grant program name, travel, utilities, rent, postage) and do not need to be listed by vendor name, although an explanation of current status and agreements with vendors for these categories will be useful for discussion. Please order the issues in order of expected priority or the agency and note the total annual cost of this service area and the estimated amount that will be unpaid as of the end of FY17. Your identification of issues should be focused on goods, services or providers that support the critical functions and operations of your agency and the agency’s highest priorities.
Looking ahead to FY18, note critical dates through the end of December for the vendors, and provide a brief discussion of the expected impact at these critical dates.
Red flag issues should also include any potential issues arising from payment delays in the general funds, even for programs covered by consent decrees and court orders. Please note that even if general funds appropriations are enacted for red flag items, general funds payment delays are expected to lengthen at the Comptroller’s office and are likely to be significant during the course of FY18 in the absence of a balanced budget.
Looks like they’re also preparing agencies for a partly funded stopgap approp.
The original can be seen here and here.
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* But IDES is still bad-mouthing the economy…
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate declined -0.1 percentage points to 4.6 percent in May and nonfarm payrolls increased by +2,400 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. April job growth was revised little to show a decrease of -7,300 jobs rather than the preliminary estimate of -7,200 jobs.
May’s modest monthly payroll gain kept over-the-year job growth well below the national average. Payroll growth has been sluggish thus far this year.
“Illinois remains -23,300 jobs short of reaching its prior peak employment reached in September 2000,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “If Illinois had grown at the National average over that time, the State would have an additional 650,000 jobs.”
“We hear from companies every week that are concerned by the current business climate in Illinois,” said Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Director Sean McCarthy. “We need to implement common sense reforms that would lead to booming job growth and expansion of opportunities across our state.”
In May, the three industry sectors with the largest gains in employment were: Construction (+4,000); Education and Health Services (+3,700); and Information Services (+900). The largest payroll declines were in the following sectors: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-3,700); Government (-2,500); and Professional and Business Services (-700).
Over-the-year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +34,700 jobs with the largest gains in these industry sectors in May: Education and Health Services (+19,200); Professional and Business Services (+13,400); Financial Activities (+9,500). Industry sectors with the largest over-the-year declines include: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-7,700); Manufacturing (-1,800); and Construction (-1,700). The +0.6 percent over-the-year gain in Illinois is less than one-half as strong as the +1.6 percent gain posted by the nation in May.
The state’s unemployment rate is +0.3 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate reported for May 2017, which decreased to 4.3 percent. The Illinois unemployment rate is down -1.3 percentage points from a year ago when it was 5.9 percent. At 4.6 percent, the Illinois jobless rate stands at its lowest level since February 2007, after having decreased for four consecutive months and is down -1.1 percentage points since January 2017.
The number of unemployed workers decreased -2.9 percent from the prior month to 298,100, down -23.0 percent over the same month for the prior year. This brings the number of unemployed workers to its lowest level since December 2006. The labor force decreased -0.3 percent over-the-month and declined by -0.9 percent in May over the prior year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and are seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
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* From House Speaker Michael Madigan…
“We have stated unequivocally that a resolution to the governor’s budget crisis—which has resulted in eight credit downgrades and tripled the state’s debt—must be our top priority. Wherever we can compromise with the governor without hurting middle-class families, Democrats have worked to find common ground so we can get the governor to work with us and pass a balanced budget, but he has refused to do so. Per the governor’s request, House Democrats have voted to cut property taxes, reform workers’ compensation, make changes that will improve the business climate and level the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses, reform the state procurement code and sell the Thompson Center. With each attempt to meet Governor Rauner half way, we urged him to return to the table to negotiate a state budget. The governor refused.
“Since the adjournment of the spring session, Democrats have continued our work on the budget. At a budget hearing this month, legislators listened to mothers of children with developmental disabilities, including one woman whose son had to be institutionalized because the governor’s crisis has blocked access to in-home care. A survivor of sexual assault called on the governor to come back to the table and end the crisis. Those who spoke were in agreement: People’s lives are on the line, and it’s time to act. The governor responded by calling them ‘props’ and dismissing the entire hearing as a ‘sham.’ Casting aside those most directly affected by Governor Rauner’s budget crisis is no way to move forward.
“House Democrats will continue our work on the budget from Springfield, but as Governor Rauner has met each of our attempts to date with refusal, it’s clear that the onus is on the governor to show that he is finally serious about working in good faith to end the crisis he has manufactured.”
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He gone
Thursday, Jun 15, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Finally…
In the wake of a state investigation that said President Doug Baker “mismanaged” Northern Illinois University, he announced at this morning’s Board of Trustees meeting that he is leaving the university.
Baker called the 56-page report from the Office of the Executive Inspector General a “distraction,” and said he’d step down June 30.
The report found that NIU officials hired at least five people as though they were part-time instructors and paid them more than $1 million combined over a roughly two-year period.
The investigation found that starting when Baker took office in June 2013, university officials, under orders from Baker, improperly classified multiple high-paying consulting positions as affiliate employees to skirt state rules requiring competitive bidding.
The Board of Trustees was given the report in August, and Baker said that after its public release at the end of May, he met with board Chairman John Butler about his future.
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* Background is here. Press release…
The Appellate Court dismissed today the Pay Now Illinois coalition suit. A statement from Pay Now Illinois Chair Andrea Durbin is just below.
We are terribly disappointed in today’s ruling from the Appellate Court.
The Appellate Court has directed providers to the Court of Claims for relief. This is at best a theoretical, not a practical remedy. Even prior to the destructive budget impasse, human service providers routinely waited years for a judgement, and then had to wait for a subsequent appropriation to be paid. This process could literally take three, four, or even five years. When providers are due payment for service from an entire year or more, waiting for half a decade for payment does nothing to help providers meet payroll and pay their bills today. Further, the Court of Claims is in no way equipped to handle the massive filings that would result if all providers and vendors who are owed money from the State of Illinois sought relief through this means.
Providers contemplating contracts for FY18 should consider the state of affairs as it exists today. We have no budget for FY17 or FY18, the partisan warfare continues in Springfield, and at this point we have a total breakdown in the functioning of our state. This decision helps to remove some of the uncertainty that providers have faced over the past two years.
Pay Now Illinois still has a case pending in St. Clair County. We expect a decision shortly and certainly hope for a different outcome. We will also evaluate our next steps as a coalition; we have tried to go directly to the Illinois Supreme Court before and will consider whether to pursue that option again.
The real losers from today’s decision are the children, youth, families, and communities we serve – the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, people with mental health needs, or people who are addicted, victims of sexual assault or domestic violence, youth who run away from home or who are in trouble with the law – as well as the hundreds and thousands of employees who come to work each day trying to keep people safe, healthy, and able to achieve their potential. No one should rejoice in this decision.
* The ruling is here.
…Adding… Law Bulletin…
The panel rejected the coalition’s assertions that Rauner has acted beyond his gubernatorial authority by entering into contracts which weren’t funded, and then vetoing the appropriations bills that would have funded them.
“The governor was not obligated to approve any or all portions of appropriations bills by the General Assembly,” Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke wrote in the 35-page opinion on behalf of the three-judge panel. “Indeed, both the governor and the General Assembly are constitutionally constrained to propose or pass budgets and appropriations that do not exceed estimated available funds.”
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* Press release…
One day after House and Senate Republicans unveiled a compromise balanced budget plan to end the budget impasse, Governor Bruce Rauner today called lawmakers back to Springfield for a 10-day special session from Wednesday, June 21st through the June 30th fiscal year deadline.
“Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign,” Governor Rauner said in a video announcing special session. “It provides a true path to property tax reduction and it reforms the way our state operates to reduce wasteful spending. It will fund our schools and human services, while spurring economic growth and job creation. It is a true compromise – and one I hope the majority in the General Assembly will accept.”
For two weeks, the majority in the General Assembly ignored repeated calls to return to Springfield since adjourning on May 31st without passing a full-year balanced budget. If no action is taken by the General Assembly to pass the compromise balanced budget plan by June 30th, the ramifications for our state will be devastating and long-lasting. In order to find a resolution, Governor Rauner issued 10 proclamations calling for special sessions every day starting Wednesday, June 21 at Noon. The proclamations direct the General Assembly to consider legislation that will reach a balanced budget with changes to our broken system, including property tax relief, job creation, term limits and spending caps. Should the General Assembly enact the compromise balanced budget plan prior to June 30th, the Governor will cancel any remaining special session days.
“We have tough, urgent choices to make, and the legislature must be present to make them,” Governor Rauner said. “In the days ahead, let’s show the people of Illinois we have their best interests in mind, not our own. And together, we will move our state forward to a better and brighter future.”
The official proclamation is here.
…Adding… Rauner’s official video is here.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Leader Radogno…
“I am anxious to return to the Capitol to continue our work on a comprehensive budget solution. We have a very real deadline looming as we close yet another fiscal year without a budget in place. I hopeful we will have productive sessions, legislative leader meetings with true engagement from all four leaders, and bipartisan efforts toward compromise. I and my Caucus believe a comprehensive solution is within reach and we ought to do everything possible to achieve it before July 1. The alternative to not finding compromise will be devastating to Illinois.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Democratic Governors Association…
Rauner Waits Until After Big Fundraiser to Call Special Session
Rauner Funneling Money to IL GOP To Continue Running Attack Ads During Budget Negotiations
Last week, Bruce Rauner held a memorable press conference where he attacked Democrats for holding “sham” hearings with “props” disguised as people, and threatened to “force” legislators back to Springfield for a Special Session. It was great theater.
And only that. Rauner waited two weeks to “force” legislators back because he could not call it before his big fundraiser on the 19th. That would have been bad optics.
And really his big press conference was one big play itself. The whole event came on the heels of a three-day campaign-like swing featuring the same kind of people “props” he would decry the next day.
Over the next few days Rauner will play the part of compromiser, all the while funneling millions to the Illinois GOP to continue running attack ads during budget negotiations.
The role that he was born for? “Most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.”
“Bruce Rauner’s decision to hold a fundraiser before calling a special session shows voters exactly what his priorities are,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “The fact is that Bruce Rauner is more interested in playing politics than getting a real deal done for the people of Illinois. Holding fundraisers and campaign-style events, and running attack ads, is exactly the theatrical politics that landed his as ‘most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.’”
*** UPDATE 3 *** House Republican Leader Jim Durkin…
“With the fiscal year coming to a close and the House Democrats failure to produce a budget during session warrants the Governor’s action today. We can break this impasse if the House Democrats are willing to negotiate in good faith.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** This post is apparently popping up all over Facebook today…
*** UPDATE 5 *** From John Patterson, spokesman for Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton…
I will remind everyone that the Illinois Senate has been in session the last six months and produced a balanced budget plan that was approved and sent to the Illinois House.
I’m not sure where Governor Rauner was during the first half of the year, but the Senate did his work and balanced his spending plan using the numbers and tax rate he wanted.
Now that he’s decided to engage, it would be helpful if he could use his influence to marshal the House Republicans to join the bipartisan coalition and support his tax increase and spending plan and get a balanced budget approved in the House. Until then, the Senate has already done the work and is waiting for the governor to finish the job.
Heh.
*** UPDATE 6 *** Sen. Bill Brady…
“It’s unfortunate that we’re in this situation, but I applaud Governor Rauner for doing what was necessary and calling the General Assembly back to Springfield,” said Brady noting, “This week I introduced a real, full year balanced state budget that isn’t another lifeline, stop gap, or band-aid budget. My budget and the compromise reform measures my colleagues have put forth this week are the real solutions that the people of this state deserve. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work to get this done.”
*** UPDATE 7 *** Sen. Kwame Raoul…
I understand the urgency of ending the budget impasse. I understood that urgency last month, when I joined my colleagues in the Senate in voting for a balanced budget. What I wonder is why Governor Rauner seems to be in such a hurry now. Where was he last month? Where were the Republicans last month when we took difficult votes to pass a budget that will allow us to pay our bills on time?
The governor’s stalling on a budget deal isn’t just frustrating – it’s costly. The special session will cost taxpayers $64,687 a day, totaling $646,870 over the 10-day session. At a time when the state owes $15 billion in unpaid bills, this is hardly money we can afford to spend.
Again, I understand the need for immediate action. I simply wish Gov. Rauner and Republicans had been this interested in working quickly when we voted to pass a balanced budget in May.
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* Sun-Times…
The association that runs the popular Powerball lottery and Mega Millions games will drop Illinois at the end of June without a budget agreement.
Concern over the state of Illinois’ fiscal condition prompted that decision by the Multi-State Lottery Association, according to internal Illinois Lottery communications.
Illinois Lottery spokesman Jason Schaumburg on Thursday morning confirmed that the games will be dropped without a state budget. He said the association has never threatened to drop the games. […]
The state reported $99.4 million in Mega Millions sales and $208 million in Powerball sales within the 2016 budget year. It’s unclear how much revenue the state got from the sale of those tickets.
Sheesh, what an embarrassment.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Pritzker campaign…
Today, the Multi-State Lottery Association announced they voted to remove Illinois from the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries due to Bruce Rauner’s 715-day budget crisis. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:
“The decision by the Multi-State Lottery Association is a clear rebuke of Bruce Rauner and the 715-day budget crisis he has unleashed on our state,” said JB Pritzker. “Rauner is a historic failure and bond ratings agencies, investors, and now U.S. lotteries are taking note. Under Bruce Rauner, Illinois has earned the reputation of being a bad investment and a state without stability or growth. This is what failed leadership looks like and the devastation will not stop until Bruce Rauner is out of office.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Rep. Lou Lang…
“The decision today by the Multi-State Lottery Association to remove our state from participation in these lottery games is just another example of the absolute failure by the governor to do his job and govern. Due to the impasse that he has created, other states are now recognizing the lack of leadership by the governor, and they have made the decision that Illinois under Bruce Rauner is not a reliable partner.
“Not only does this affect Illinois gamers who enjoy playing the lottery games, but this will also have enormous negative effects on our public education system. This will take away millions of dollars of state funds for our schools, which are more critical now than ever. These effects just represent a small portion of the damage that the governor has done by holding up services and programs over items that have nothing to do with our state budget.
“House Democrats have worked to meet the governor in the middle, including passing reforms to the procurement and worker’s compensation systems, and working to level the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses. Yet, the governor still refuses to come back to the negotiating table. Republicans and Democrats nationwide are reacting to the complete lack of leadership under Bruce Rauner, which is leading us on the path to become a deadbeat state.”
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Today’s quotable
Thursday, Jun 15, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Public Radio…
Dozens of Illinois social service providers asked a St.Clair County judge to make Illinois pay for work they’ve already done.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has continued signing contracts with the groups, even as he has vetoed the General Assembly’s attempts to appropriate money.
Andrea Durbin, leader of the coalition, said Illinois knows what it’s doing.
“What they’re doing is they’re banking on — in the most cynical way — they’re banking on the fact that we give a damn,” she said, “and we won’t turn our backs on these clients, we won’t shove them out into the streets, that we won’t lay off our employees until it’s impossible for us to do anything else.”
An appellate court ruling is expected today on this matter. It will be posted here, so keep an eye on that page.
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Rooney says he favors new GOP proposal
Thursday, Jun 15, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sen. Rooney filed a bill to repeal the state’s Prevailing Wage Act, so he’s no liberal Republican…
With the end of the Fiscal Year only weeks away, Senate Republicans joined their House colleagues to unveil a comprehensive, balanced budget proposal this week urging Democrat leaders to come back to the negotiation table, take up bipartisan compromise once more, and pass a balanced budget before Illinois enters its third-straight year without a budget.
Senator Tom Rooney (R-Rolling Meadows) issued the following statement after the Republican’s compromise package was introduced:
“Illinois’ budget impasse should have been resolved before lawmakers left Springfield on May 31, but instead the Senate-majority passed an unbalanced budget that Republicans cannot support, walked away from the table and said their work was done. However, our students deserve equity, our taxpayers need relief and our businesses need our help. Our state deserves and demands better,” stated Rooney.
“This budget compromise gives lawmakers a chance to come back to the table, pick up where we left off before partisan politics took control and pass a balanced budget. We have a compromise before us that provides cost saving pension reform, equitable school funding, lasting property tax relief, real workers’ compensation reform, and a balanced budget plan that helps bring about the stability that has evaded our state for almost three years. The time to act is now, we just have to take the steps to work together and finish what we started months ago.”
* But…
Not all Republican lawmakers were on board with the new plan. State Rep. David McSweeney said he could not support the tax increases included in the package.
“Raising taxes will kill jobs and hurt Illinois families,” McSweeney said. “We should focus on cutting spending.”
McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, said Illinois will spend $4 billion more in the fiscal year that ends June 30 than it ever did under former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.
“We need to address the two biggest items in the budget, pensions and Medicaid,” McSweeney said. “It’s business as usual.”
* And from the Illinois Policy Institute…
Republican state lawmakers announced the newest attempt to solve Illinois’ budget crisis June 14. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office said he’d sign the plan into law if it passes unchanged.
Like the “grand bargain,” the Brady plan, and Senate Democrat’s budget before it, the GOP plan relies on $5 billion in new tax revenues because it includes no meaningful spending reforms.
But this new plan is even worse than previous budget proposals because, according to the math, the tax hikes aren’t even necessary to balance the 2018 budget.
The Republican plan caps spending at $36 billion for the year. Compared to the latest revenue estimates from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, or COGFA, that would leave just under a $5 billion budget deficit for 2018.
However, if you look at the GOP’s walk-through, you’ll see most of what’s not included in the institute’s estimate, namely transfers out, debt service and repayment of old bills, which total $4.35 billion alone.
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* As expected…
Roadwork projects across Illinois could be on the chopping block as the state’s historic budget impasse continues.
The Illinois Department of Transportation will shut down roadwork statewide if lawmakers don’t pass a budget by the end of the month, officials announced Wednesday.
“Due to the General Assembly’s refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation loses its ability to pay contractors starting July 1,” IDOT communications director Guy Tridgell said in an email.
“While we are hopeful the situation is resolved before then, the department is notifying contractors that all construction work is to shut down on June 30. Contractors will be advised to secure work zones to ensure their safety during any potential shutdown. As always, the safety of the traveling public will be the top priority as the department works through this process,” Tridgell said.
Roadwork projects were put in jeopardy by the budget impasse last year as well, but a stopgap bill passed in the final hour secured roadwork funding.
…Adding… The contractor letter is here.
*** UPDATE *** From an IRTBA press release…
“The impacts of a shutdown are dire,” said Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA) President & CEO Mike Sturino. “According to the Transportation for Illinois Coalition, the daily costs of a shutdown exceed $3 million just for direct costs associated with shutting a job down,” he added. “IRTBA member firms report that layoffs of thousands of Chicago area residents are imminent. Organized labor is reporting approximately 30,000 people will be out of work statewide if this shutdown happens.”
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* Tribune…
Democrats led by House Speaker Michael Madigan contend that raising taxes is a necessity for closing a gaping budget hole, not a Democratic agenda item to be used as a bargaining chip.
“Who are they compromising with?” asked Madigan spokesman Steve Brown. He said House Democrats would “take a hard look at the proposal,” but also noted the chamber had already approved several pieces of legislation that he contended address Rauner’s requests. […]
Durkin said Republicans expect “substantial compliance” from Democrats, warning that he would reject “reform light or anything that is significantly diluted.”
Why should Madigan take the new Republican plan seriously? Democrats now need a three-fifths majority to pass a budget, Durkin said.
“The question is whether or not the speaker is committed to breaking the impasse, because he needs my votes,” Durkin said. “His members are frustrated. I talk to them. There’s pressure building up in the House Democratic caucus to get this to resolution.”
* SJ-R…
“There is pressure building up in the House Democratic caucus to bring this to resolution [said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin]. If he is committed to breaking the impasse, he needs to work with us.”
Because the General Assembly blew past its scheduled May 31 adjournment date without passing a budget, it now takes a three-fifths supermajority in the House and Senate to pass anything. Seventy-one votes are required in the House to pass a bill, with Democrats holding 67 seats.
Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Madigan, D-Chicago, said none of the Republican proposals has been submitted yet as legislation.
“If and when they introduce bills or amendments, we’ll take a look at them and see what improvements, changes have been made, over what the House has acted on previously and what the Senate has acted on,” Brown said.
* Sun-Times…
“If he’s committed to breaking the budget impasse he needs to work with us, and work with me,” Durkin said of the speaker. “If he doesn’t talk to us nor work with us, to me it is just a reflection on his desire to do nothing and to make sure that the governor is the one who will be hurt next year in the gubernatorial campaign.” […]
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the package would be reviewed when filed, but noted that House Democrats had passed measures on similar “topics.” He also criticized the governor for moving the goal posts.
“Well, you know the governor has been known to take different positions at different hours of the day and night and different days of the week,” Brown said. “So, I guess we’ll have to see how they validate that.”
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“When you get 90 percent, declare victory”
Thursday, Jun 15, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times editorial…
If you can get 90 percent in politics, you take it and do a victory dance. Unless, perhaps, you are Gov. Bruce Rauner.
On Friday, Rauner’s secretary of education, Beth Purvis, said the governor supports “90 percent” of a bill passed by Democrats in the state Legislature to make school funding fairer in Illinois. But, she said, he wants more.
We can only wonder, as we have before, about the governor’s notions when it comes to compromise.
Sign the bill when it reaches your desk, governor. Grab a win. […]
Politics is the art of the imperfect, where 90 percent can make for an excellent deal.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. That SJ-R headline was the worst in Bruce Rauner’s 2+ years as governor.
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* The other day, we talked about Facebook’s new apps that allow targeting of legislative districts. JB Pritzker’s campaign is using this new tech in its latest round of online advertising…
Today, the JB for Governor campaign launched new digital ads holding Bruce Rauner accountable for planning to veto an education funding bill he mostly supports. The new ads will be part of the multimedia Crisis Creatin’ Rauner Campaign, designed to highlight Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership and the Illinois families paying the price.
Rauner talked about fixing school funding reform for years, even forming a task force on the issue, and supports 90% of the bill, but is still cowardly abandoning the issue and his responsibility to Illinois families and students.
The digital ad campaign will hold Rauner accountable, with Facebook ads allowing Illinoisans across the state to contact their failed governor with a single click. This brand-new feature will ensure that Rauner is accessible to the Illinois families and students he is letting down. The ad campaign will also include banner ads on local online publications across the state.
“Bruce Rauner refuses to stand with Illinois families demanding he fix the school funding formula and invest in the education of our students. It is time he hears directly from them,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Bruce Rauner has no idea what it means to lead and compromise, so much so that he can’t bring himself to sign critical legislation that he 90% agrees with. Either his talk on fixing school funding was just another political stunt or Rauner is unable to put aside his stubborn agenda for the benefit of Illinois students. Either way, Illinois families are angry and it is time Bruce Rauner starts listening.”
* The Facebook ad…
* The online banner ad…
Thoughts?
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Report: Rauner to call special session
Thursday, Jun 15, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* NBC 5…
It’s been two weeks since the Illinois General Assembly adjourned — and more than two years since lawmakers have reached a budget compromise, and Wednesday NBC 5 has learned Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected call lawmakers back to Springfield for a Special Session next week.
The governor’s office says it will not comment, however sources tell NBC 5 Rauner will announce a Special Session to begin June 21 for every day through June 30th. The new fiscal year begins July 1st.
By the governor calling the Special Session — the lawmakers would be paid $111 each day as well as 39 cents per mile to and from Springfield. The Chicago Tribune has estimated that adds up to costing taxpayers approximately 40-thousand dollars a day.
June 21st is next Wednesday.
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[Bumped up to Thursday morning for visibility.]
*** UPDATE 2 *** SB 2214, the Senate’s budget bill, is now online. Click here to read it.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From Sen. Bill Brady’s (Bloomington) press release on his newly introduced spending package contained in SB 2214…
Brady’s proposal includes a total of six budget related bills that contain a balanced $36 billion operating budget for FY18. Additionally, Brady’s plan proposes appropriations to pay off remaining FY16 bills as well as the balance of FY17 appropriations. It also includes a hard spending-cap of roughly $36 billion in general funds.
“I have always said that any deal we pass must be fair to the taxpayers of this state, which is why my budget includes a four-year spending-cap of $36 billion. If our constituents have to live within their means, it’s time for their state government to do the same,” noted Brady.
Under the legislation, the state would be allowed to issue up to $6 billion in revenue bonds to significantly reduce the state’s backlog of unpaid bills, saving the state millions of dollars on late-payment interest costs.
Brady’s budget increases funding for K-12 education by $250 million for the new evidence-based school funding formula, as well as providing a $35 million increase for Early Childhood Education. The budget also includes $156 million in pension parity for Chicago Public Schools while reducing the controversial Chicago Block Grant by $200 million.
Yep, cutting the CPS block grant and coming up $60 million shy of the earlier agreed CPS pension payment will really go down well with the Democratic leadership.
The budget walk-through can be seen by clicking here.
The proposal would also make $1.6 billion in unspecified transfers out reductions and pension spending would be cut by well over a billion dollars.
* Meanwhile, here are the reform bills…
Pension Consideration – HB 4064
Pension – HB 4065
Property Tax Freeze – HB 4066
Citizens Empowerment – HB 4067
Worker’s Compensation – HB 4068
Education Funding Reform – HB 4069
Notice that these are all bills introduced in their original chambers, so they have to start afresh (meaning three days of readings in each chamber) unless they find appropriate vehicles.
*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times…
An appropriations measure was filed on Wednesday afternoon and five other bills will be filed on Thursday, according to State Sen. Bill Brady’s office. Numbers released by Brady’s office show the Republican plan shows higher revenue totals for sales taxes — about $75 million more — and less money coming from the personal income tax hike — about $230 million less.
* Crain’s…
CPS says in a statement that the budget plan isn’t a compromise at all but “part of Rauner’s insistence that he gets all of what he wants to sign on to a bill, even if it means students living in poverty across Illinois get none of the state support they need.”
Among other things, CPS officials say, moving to a per-pupil rather than per-district funding plan like the new legislation proposes would have cut funding for two-thirds of the state last year. CPS along might lose up to $400 million, they add, based on an earlier version of the legislation.
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