Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Speaker Madigan…

After four years of unprecedented crisis, we are still uncovering the extent of the damage to our state’s budget. Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis has left us with billions of dollars in unpaid bills, frayed our social service infrastructure, and squandered $1 billion on late payment penalties instead of funding our schools, health care and critical human services. Without the efforts of House Democrats and some rank-and-file Republicans who worked together to make tough decisions and end Rauner’s crisis, the damage would have been even worse.

Amid the challenges we heard spelled out today, we also heard that we now have a governor who recognizes the magnitude of these challenges and will work with us to address them. House Democrats stand ready to work with Governor Pritzker and our Republican colleagues, bring all options to the table for honest negotiation, make the tough decisions, continue to stand strong and protect critical human services and quality schools, and move Illinois forward.

* House appropriation committee chairs Luis Arroyo, Kelly Cassidy, La Shawn K. Ford, Robyn Gabel, Rita Mayfield and Robert ‘Bob’ Rita…

“Governor Pritzker’s budget address was a sobering reflection of the real challenges facing our state after four years of Bruce Rauner’s neglect and mismanagement. The Rauner crisis has left us with a $3.2 billion structural deficit, and $14 billion in unpaid bills. Eight credit downgrades in just four years leave us on the verge of junk bond status. And the consequences are falling on those who can least afford it, from seniors, to children in need, to elderly veterans.

“House Democrats will continue to prioritize funding for essential services, and ensure that our most vulnerable residents receive the resources they need. This is the first of many steps as we work to restore Illinois’ fiscal house over several years, and with that will come many tough but necessary decisions. We will continue reaching across the aisle and working with our Republican colleagues to craft bipartisan budgets that set Illinois on a path to financial stability.

“Governor Pritzker’s straightforward assessment of the challenges Illinois faces is a welcome departure from Rauner’s years of neglect. While a lot of negotiation remains to be done, the governor’s proposal shares our commitment to funding our most critical services and lifting up our local communities by creating good-paying jobs and rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. This is a starting point in a discussion of how we invest in education, repair our human services network, and ultimately create a better Illinois.

“As we begin the process of making a new budget and addressing these challenges, we come to the table prepared to work with the governor and legislators on both sides of the aisle with the goal of passing a responsible, balanced budget on time.”

* Senate Appropriations I Committee Chair Heather Steans…

“Having the governor propose a balanced budget is a positive step toward restoring stability to our state and ensuring long-term functionality within our government. Illinois continues to face structural budget challenges and I am encouraged that Governor Pritzker is addressing them head on.

“I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in the Senate over the next few months to develop a budget that significantly moves Illinois toward a solution that achieves financial certainty and builds trust that Illinois is back on the right track.”

* IFT President Dan Montgomery…

“After four years of divisiveness and destruction under Bruce Rauner, it was inspiring today to hear Governor Pritzker call for unity and collaboration to help Illinois get back on track.

“The problems we’re facing have taken decades to develop, and Rauner made them exponentially worse during his manufactured budget crisis. As a result, the new administration has inherited a $3.2 billion budget deficit and nearly $15 billion in unpaid bills.
“Despite these fiscal challenges, we are excited to see that Governor Pritzker is keeping his promise to prioritize public education and plans to dramatically increase funding at every level. It’s clear that he understands the importance of great public schools and higher education and is committed to fulfilling the state’s responsibility to invest in them.

“We are also interested to learn more about the pension ideas proposed today and glad they did not include any unconstitutional cuts to workers’ hard-earned retirements. We welcome the opportunity to work together to address the debt, and that’s why I’ve been proud to serve on the transition committee and advise on pension issues, to help ensure this is done responsibly and fairly.

“In the end though, none of our state’s economic problems can be solved without more revenue. We agree with the Governor – and 72 percent of Illinoisans – that our state’s wealthiest citizens should pay their fair share, while lower and middle-class families get a break. We are fully committed to helping pass a fair tax.

“We are heartened to have a governor who respects the vital work of public servants and our unions and look forward to tackling the challenges ahead – together.”

* IEA President Kathi Griffin…

Today marks a new day and a new focus for education in Illinois. It’s refreshing to have a governor not only focused on what is best for students and Illinois’ future, but who is willing to work collaboratively to get the best results.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed an additional $25 million toward K-12 education in Illinois, above and beyond the $350 million new dollars added last year through the new evidence-based funding law. There is also an additional $21 million in funding set aside for special education grants, $5 million for much-needed career and technical education programs for high school students and $2 million to help low-income students pay for Advanced Placement testing.

Gov. Pritzker also is proposing an additional boost over last year’s funding for higher education. While this is an amount still below what higher ed needs, it is a step toward fuller funding for higher education and, importantly, a move away from the financial starvation strategy we saw in recent years. It includes a 5 percent increase for community colleges and public universities and $50 million for MAP grants.

And, in what is a huge leap forward toward education equity in Illinois, Gov. Pritzker has proposed a boost of more than $100 million in birth to age five education funding. We have seen study after study that shows early education helps level the playing field for students over their entire learning careers and sets students on a path toward successful lives.

We applaud Gov. Pritzker for looking at various funding sources because funding has to play a role in the future he’s building for Illinois. A starving state cannot grow.

And, we find the Governor’s pension proposal an interesting start to the conversation. We understand this is a huge issue for Illinois and we also understand that any solution should be fiscally responsible, fair and constitutionally sound. We look forward to getting all stakeholders in the room to discuss viable solutions to find a healthy pathway forward.

* Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan…

“Gov. Pritzker has signaled that he is taking on the state’s financial challenges in an open, fair, and productive manner. By enacting a minimum wage increase yesterday and putting forth plans for a state infrastructure improvement program along with a Fair Tax proposal, Pritzker is following through on his promise of investing in the working people of Illinois as a path to solid financial footing and economic security for our state. We welcome the opportunity to work with the governor and General Assembly on solutions that create an economy that works for all.”

* Illinois Working Together Executive Director Jake Lewis…

“Gov. JB Pritzker’s address today makes clear the hard choices facing Illinois as it begins to heal after four devastating years under Bruce Rauner. It will not be easy, but we commend the governor for taking a bold stand in tackling the challenges facing the state. We especially applaud Gov. Pritzker for recognizing that key to our future prosperity are a Fair Tax that asks the wealthiest to pay their fair share and a Capital Bill that invests in high quality infrastructure to keep our citizens safe.

“We welcome Gov. Pritzker’s commitment to move Illinois forward with high-road solutions that promote economic justice for all.”

* Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter…

“After four years of destruction and turmoil at the hands of Bruce Rauner, it is time for all of us to have the open and honest conversations that will get Illinois back on track to prosperity for all. Without mincing words, Governor Pritzker laid out the issues plaguing the state and his ideas to solve them, including a fair income tax. We are encouraged by Governor Pritzker’s message to Illinoisans and his refocusing our priorities on education, health and human services, and public safety. He laid out a thoughtful budget aimed at growing the economy and expanding the middle class. We stand ready to work with Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Legislature to find solutions that promote upward economic mobility among all working families.”

* Comptroller Mendoza…

Today, Governor Pritzker took a welcome departure from the past. His budget address shows he grasps the problems Illinois faces and is embracing serious solutions to attack them. As he said, it has taken decades to get Illinois into this mess, and Governor Pritzker knows it will take years for us to dig ourselves out.

Governor Pritzker’s proposed support for early childhood, elementary and higher education; crime prevention; veterans; mental health, child care and aging programs is both welcome and necessary.

Today is just the first step in the budgeting process, but it appears to be a good step. Now it’s time for Governor Pritzker and the legislature to get to work. My office will continue to serve as a resource for up-to-date fiscal information and transparency for taxpayers.

…Adding… Senate President Cullerton…

I give the governor credit for offering specifics. His plan is filled with ideas — real, doable, constitutional ideas. Now, whether or not they happen remains to be seen. That’s what the legislative process is for. But I commend Governor Pritzker for stepping forward today and presenting specifics. It’s a heck of a lot better than an empty “$4.6 billion by working together” line we saw in past years.

This is a budget that’s about restoring stability and functionality to state government. That’s what we need to build for the future.

Does it solve all of our problems? No. But it’s a vital step in the right direction.

There’s increased school funding. That means more resources for local public schools everywhere in Illinois, and that means more opportunities for our children.

There’s additional support for working families. You see it with the increased funding for child care assistance. Under this plan, a family of four making $50,000 would qualify for help with child care costs.

There’s more financial aid for college students.

The Chicago Veterans Home – a modern care facility for our veterans – would finally open.

I give the governor credit for being creative, aggressive and specific in his budget, and I look forward to working with him to bring it to reality.

…Adding… Jennifer Walling, Executive Director of The Illinois Environmental Council…

Governor Pritzker’s budget prioritizes moving Illinois to 100% clean energy and environmental justice communities by fully funding the nation-leading Illinois Solar for All program, as well as a new program designed to bring the benefits of energy efficiency to environmental justice communities. The proposed budget would also increase headcounts at both IEPA and IDNR, which will lead to better enforcement of environmental laws, and reverses the trend of leaving money on the table by fully appropriating federal funds.

13 Comments

It wasn’t all praise

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I’ve received several press releases supporting the governor’s proposed budget. Here are some in opposition. First up, Jessica Collingsworth, Lead Midwest Energy Policy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists…

In his State of the State address today, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker did not reiterate a campaign pledge that he will work to ensure all the state’s energy needs are met with solar, wind, and other carbon-free energy sources by 2050.

Below is a statement by Jessica Collingsworth, lead Midwest energy policy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Midwest office.

“While Governor Pritzker neglected to lay out his plan to wean the state off fossil fuels by 2050, I’m hopeful he still plans to honor his campaign promises. He took a laudable first step in joining the U.S. Climate Alliance, becoming the 18th governor to uphold the environmental protections outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement. But he can do much more to make Illinois a climate leader.

“As the climate changes, so will the circumstances of many Illinoisans. We’ll likely experience more intense floods as well as droughts. More frequent and intense heat waves also will increase public health risks and energy demand.

“In addition, Illinois has several frontline communities battling pollution from the energy sector. The science is clear, we must invest in renewable energy and help communities, especially those hardest hit, withstand climate impacts. Illinois deserves a healthy economy and environment where everyone can thrive.”

* And…

The Smoke Free Alternatives Coalition of Illinois released the following statement in response to the governor’s budget proposal that includes a 36 percent wholesale tax on vapor products:

“The governor’s proposed tax would do nothing more than create another hurdle for adults who are trying to quit smoking. Studies have shown that vaping products are among the most useful tools to help adult smokers quit traditional cigarettes. In fact, they have even been shown to be twice as effective as other nicotine replacement products such as patches and gum. With vaping products proven to be 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes, it seems unethical to tax a person for making better, healthier choices. The long term savings to our state is in improving the health of its citizens by moving them from deadly cigarettes to something that is far less harmful and we look forward to working with the Governor and the legislature to achieve this end,” said Victoria Vasconcellos, president of the Smoke Free Alternatives Coalition of Illinois.

* ILGOP…

“Skipping pension payments, borrowing new debt, raising taxes, increasing spending - it’s clear that J.B. Pritzker is the new Rod Blagojevich. Pritzker’s unbalanced budget proposal is more of the same, failed policies that got our state into the mess it’s currently in. Illinois taxpayers cannot afford to return to the budget deficits and failed policies of the Blagojevich era. Pritzker pledged to deliver a balanced budget, and he failed.” - Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider

Today, Governor J.B. Pritzker gave his first budget address where he outlined his first, and probably not last, unbalanced budget proposal. In his speech, Pritzker advocated for a return to the same, failed budgeting that got our state in the mess it’s in:

Skip pension payments, $800 million a year for the next seven years
Madigan and Blagojevich supported a plan to skip pension payments
Issue $2 billion in new pension obligation bonds to make up for skipping pension payments
Madigan and Blagojevich supported a plan to issue pension obligation bonds
Increase spending by hundreds of millions of dollars
Levy new taxes
Theoretical graduated income tax, could not be enacted unless voters approve referendum in fall 2020, and Pritzker still refuses to release rates or revenue projections, yet Pritzker promises it will pay for everything - from pensions, to property and income tax cuts
Enact statewide plastic bag tax
Legalize recreational marijuana use, tax sales
Legalize sports betting, tax winnings
Increase video gaming taxes
Phase out the bipartisan Invest In Kids tuition tax credit scholarship program for low-income schoolchildren
Shorting the pension system $800 million a year might be the most irresponsible proposal from Governor Pritzker’s FY2020 budget. Pritzker’s decision to skip pension payments will cost billions of dollars more down the road. This is the exact opposite of what Pritzker pledged he would do during his campaign for governor. Last year, Pritzker told the Crain’s Editorial Board that the state should increase, not decrease, yearly contributions to the state pension systems.

Furthermore, Governor Pritzker’s spending plan relies on tax revenue the state has not yet received. It will take years to enact a theoretical graduated income tax, yet Pritzker is already committing that revenue to new projects. Pritzker’s budgeting is reckless and fiscally irresponsible.

It’s clear - J.B. Pritzker is the new Rod Blagojevich. Illinois taxpayers cannot afford to return to the budget deficits and failed policies of the Blagojevich era. Pritzker pledged to deliver a balanced budget, and he failed.

* Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady…

The Governor’s proposed budget represents a starting point for further negotiations.

We heard a lot in his speech about more spending, more tax increases and concepts tried in the past. And while we as legislators now begin digging into the details, I have grave concerns about the pension plan and I remain opposed to a graduated income tax.

The people of Illinois are demanding their elected officials address the fiscal crisis facing our state. If we are going to put Illinois on a path forward; then we need to learn from history, not repeat it.

* Illinois Manufacturers’ Association…

“In order to grow and provide more middle-class jobs, Illinois manufacturers need financial stability from state government, including a budget that doesn’t spend more than taxpayers can afford or rely on gimmicks that will only cost more in the long run. While we applaud the focus on education and workforce development, this budget has a structural deficit of $3.2 billion and continues to kick the can down the road on pensions,” said IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler. “It’s past time for lawmakers and the administration to make some tough decisions in order for Illinois to become a more attractive place for businesses to locate and expand. We stand ready to work collaboratively toward that goal.”

…Adding… Kelly Welsh, President of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago…

Our plan called Restore Illinois is a comprehensive roadmap to put Illinois on the path to fiscal solvency. Unfortunately, the proposed budget does not go far enough to address Illinois’ fiscal problems. Delaying an aggressive approach will worsen our state’s financial outlook, and continue to slow our economic and jobs growth. We urge the General Assembly and the Governor to work together to develop a plan that changes the trajectory of Illinois’ finances now, before they get worse.

* House GOP Leader Jim Durkin…

The Governor’s budget today shows the true need for bipartisan solutions to fix Illinois’ many fiscal challenges. We cannot tax, borrow and spend our way out of this deficit as the governor has proposed. Illinois families deserve a focus on reform, including our out-of-control pension costs and sky high property taxes, and not a penny more in new taxes or fees. My caucus is prepared to work with the Governor on crafting a balanced budget that reflects our priorities and moves Illinois forward.

…Adding… Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise…

“Today we got a Blagojevich style budget, spending we can’t afford and the biggest jobs tax in Illinois history. We think the state needs to get its own fiscal house in order before it punishes families with another round of massive tax increases.”

27 Comments

Budget address open thread

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Click here to watch the speech. Click here to read the speech [fixed link]. Click here to see the proposed budget.

…Adding… This is from the “Budget in Brief”…

Illinois will continue to face structural deficits, including an estimated deficit of $3.2 billion in FY2020

Um, what?

How can a budget be balanced and have an estimated $3.2 billion deficit?

Checking with the administration.

…Adding… The administration claims it closed the $3.2 billion hole. So, apparently what that above passage means is they projected a budget hole and then closed it.

64 Comments

Rate the new anti-Daley TV ad

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From Local 150’s Fight Back for a Better Tomorrow fund…

* Script…

Bill Daley says it’s time to get real.

But who’s the real Bill Daley?

Daley was hand-picked by Bruce Rauner to co-chair his transition team, laying the framework for Rauner’s reckless policies.

And as Rauner drove Illinois billions into debt, Daley stood by and did nothing.

Now Daley’s the only candidate funded by Bruce Rauner’s biggest donor.

Daley even said he was “proud” to take 2 million dollars from Rauner’s billionaire Wall Street buddy.

And now we should trust Bill Daley to be different from Bruce Rauner?

Let’s get real.

…Adding… Daley campaign…

The following should be attributed to Jorge Neri, campaign manager:

“This week, the Better Government Association rated the claims made in this new ad as false. Bill Daley served under two Democrat presidents: as Chief of Staff for former President Barack Obama, and U.S. Commerce Secretary for former President Bill Clinton. He also served as campaign chairman for former Democratic Vice President Al Gore’s presidential campaign. Bill is proud to be a longtime Democrat and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.

“Bill is the only person in the race with the ability and experience to ensure every Chicago neighborhood prospers. Special interest groups aligned with Susana Mendoza are scared and these groups have chosen to hide behind dark money to maintain their grip of perceived political influence.

“This dark money group, with suburban roots, has previously supported Republican candidates over Democrats like Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood. The fact that they want to tell the City of Chicago who to vote for is laughable.

“As mayor, Bill will be accountable to the people of Chicago.”