The great divide
Sunday, Jul 2, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Review…
Traditionally, the 4th of July weekend is reserved for family, fun, and festivals. But Representative Allen Skillicorn (R-Dundee) says Illinoisans have been without a budget for over 24 months, the 2017 financial year ended June 30th, and the state is on the brink of a credit downgrade.
“The politicians who haven’t done their jobs need to stay in Springfield and pass a balanced budget that avoids tax hikes. The current scheme from Speaker Madigan includes massive tax hikes and does absolutely nothing to curb spending or reign in Illinois’ deep structural problems. Illinois has been drowning from inefficient and wasteful bureaucracy, high taxes, and public corruption for the past 30 years,” said Skillicorn.
Representative Skillicorn has voluntarily waived his per diem and travel pay for the entirety of the special session. Skillicorn had planned to take part in the Crystal Lake Parade on Sunday, but instead will stay in Springfield to pass his Right Now balanced budget with no tax hikes.
Skillicorn says, “My top priority is to pass a balanced budget with reforms not unneeded tax hikes. The people deserve legislators that get the job done. I will continue working on my Right Now budget and will stay in Springfield over the weekend to be a part of the solution!”
* Democratic Rep. Kathleen Willis on Facebook…
We have been informed that we will be voting on a revenue bill today. As I have been saying for the last two years it is impossible to cut our way to a balanced budget. Additional revenue is necessary. Anyone who thinks differently is just wrong. While no one likes to pay taxes and certainly not more taxes, the reality is that sometimes it is necessary. I have done my best to communicate this to the people in the 77th district. Only with an income tax increase will we be able to care of our seniors, care for people with special needs, provide early intervention in schools, repair our aging infrastructure, fund our state universities, feed our needy, provide healthcare for lower income families and once again be proud of our state.
- The Captain - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
=== Illinois has been drowning from inefficient and wasteful bureaucracy, high taxes, and public corruption for the past 30 years,” said Skillicorn. ===
The Republicans control the executive branch, they can cut or eliminate whatever they want, mostly without legislative approval to do so. The fact that they haven’t is pretty strong evidence that this is just empty rhetoric.
- illinoised - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:03 pm:
The Captain is correct. If the Republicans had a non-tax way to fix this mess, they would have already done it.
- Norseman - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
Well said “The Captain.”
- Anonymous - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:13 pm:
I miss Tryon.
- Uncle sams brother - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
I believe they could look at freezing and or eliminating pensions. Nobody’s talking about that but plenty of companies do exactly that as a result of insolvency. Get rid of those pensions.
- Anonymous - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
I once admired Speaker Madigan because he had a vision for his caucus, his party and for what was good for the state as a whole. But now it seems he cannot (or will not) articulate what his vision is. And I’m not sure what’s worse. If this fight is not about the future of our state, then it’s a fight not worth having. We are witnessing a fight of epic proportions, a battle for the soul of Illinois. But unless these vested entities put the people first, and ideology last, Illinois’ soul will be lost.
- Rich Miller - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:19 pm:
Captain: https://capitolfax.com/2017/07/02/the-governors-biggest-recent-mistake/
- blogman - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:21 pm:
They talk about the fact that cuts will not be enough. What cuts are being proposed? 10%-20% Are they just trying to increase revenue to pay the bills?
- Annonin' - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
Skilby did make a courageous vote to defy the governor and hike your cell phone bill. Perhaps AT&T/Verizon et al should buy certain institution and secure $$$
BTW Mr/Ms Anonymous Madigan and Ds have been fighting the Gov”Happy”Junk effort to help his 1%er buddies at any expense. Perhaps you are just sobering up from a 2.5 year drunk.
- wordslinger - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
Stirring words from Skillcorn.
I wish I could be in Springfield to watch him being part of the solution as he applies the lessons of the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention by appealing to reason and the greater good to build consensus, as required in a democratic republic.
Must be something to see, him all wrapped up in the flag and himself at the same time.
- Oswego Willy - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
===“The politicians who haven’t done their jobs need to stay in Springfield and pass a balanced budget that avoids tax hikes…”===
Mr. Skilicorn is Math-Challenged.
Those who are math challenge absolutely do not have Illinois’ best interest at heart.
Revenue is a required element.
If Mr. Skillicorn wants to vote against the needed revenue Rauner needs for his own budget, that’s not responsible, but that is his prerogative.
- walker - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 2:03 pm:
Don’t you think, after two plus years, anyone who claims to support a balanced budget without tax increases, should be asked to show their actual proposal?
- hot chocolate - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
walker - yeah Kyle McCarter did. He’s now in Africa. So, that should tell you how popular it was.
- JS Mill - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 3:30 pm:
To achieve a balanced budget (a real balanced budget) without revenue increases (and I assume no borrowing in Skillicorn’s “plan”) Skillicorn has to cut roughly $21 billion from FY18’s $32 billion in revenue($6 billion deficit and $15 billion in unpaid current bills).
So I guess he plans to run the state of Illinois on Montana’s budget.
Good luck big guy.
- Simple Simon - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 3:34 pm:
Uncle Sam’s Brother…
I believe they could look at freezing and or eliminating pensions”
There is no way to do this legally. If someone has told you this, they are simply lying. If you have not educated yourself on this issue, please do so before spouting this nonsense here. Although you are free to “believe” what you like, it is still nonsense.
- Generic Drone - Sunday, Jul 2, 17 @ 4:48 pm:
After all these cuts have been made, or are yet still to be made, I hope we never visit these issues again. Oh alas, this is Illinois and it will start all over again in a few months. So come on with the cumbuya mmoment already.
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- RNUG - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:33 am:
== I believe they could look at freezing and or eliminating pensions. Nobody’s talking about that but plenty of companies do exactly that as a result of insolvency. Get rid of those pensions. ==
Your assignment is to read Eric Madiar’s “Welching” document; then read the “Kanerva” and “SB-1″ decisions by the IL SC.