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* Last year, the Senate Democrats talked about passing a bill to force the GOP gubernatorial nominee to come up with his/her own budget proposal not long after the governor’s budget address. They withdrew the idea, but now President Cullerton has decided to resort to public pressure instead…
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is challenging Republican candidate for governor Bill Brady to present his own budget plan as the state struggles with a whopping deficit.
Cullerton on Monday said he doubted Brady’s suggestion that he could fix the state’s finances without an income tax increase.
Cullerton says the state senator from Bloomington should detail his plans to cut the budget and fix the deficit ahead of the November election.
Brady has said the state doesn’t need an income tax increase.
I highly doubt that Brady would take the bait, but I would like to see how he plans to cut taxes by a billion dollars and still balance the budget with a ten percent across the board cut. I mean, we’re talking about a $26 billion operating budget this year and a $13 billion or so FY11 deficit.
* Meanwhile, if you’ve heard any rumors that Sen. Kirk Dillard is conceding soon, forget them. From a press release…
Dillard for Governor Campaign Update
(Lisle, Ill.) – Republican candidate for governor Kirk Dillard today provided a campaign update regarding the vote count in the GOP Primary:
“As I have said, the race for governor is a statewide election, and it is our sincere desire that every legal vote is counted and counted accurately. That process continues, and we will await the results from the Illinois State Board of Elections before determining our next course of action.”
…Adding… The rumors likely emanated from this story…
State Sen. Bill Brady’s campaign says its lead in the GOP race for governor is 247 votes, a spokeswoman said Monday.
Illinois counties have to have their final vote totals reported to the state by tomorrow. Brady’s camp has been counting votes by county, and spokeswoman Jaime Elich said she expects the 247-vote lead to hold up. […]
Dillard spokesman Wes Bleed said Monday he was unsure if his camp agreed with Brady’s numbers. But Bleed said Dillard could make a public announcement about the race Tuesday or Wednesday.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 3:36 pm
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With the economic news as it is right now, the GOP shouldn’t be in a hurry to declare a candidate yet.
Mr. Brady needs to tell Mr. Cullerton that Mr. Brady is not yet the GOP candidate and buy time to watch Mr. Cullerton squirm a few weeks longer on the hot seat along with Mr. Quinn.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 3:48 pm
Cullerton is not on the hot seat at all. The Senate did its job. It passed HB174. It is up to the House and Quinn to show the same kind of courage. Don’t hold your breath waiting.
Comment by Bill Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 3:58 pm
I agree VanillaMan.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 3:58 pm
Cullerton should be demanding that Quinn produce his numbers. After all, Quinn is still governor. But Cullerton gave Quinn an extension of time to present his budget instead.
Just sayin’
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 3:59 pm
What am I missing about Brady’s plan? He wants to cut $1B in taxes. Great, now your deficit is $14B instead of $13B right off the bat.
What’s next? A 10% cut across the board. Swell, so you have essentially cut $2.6B in spending. Take that away from the new $14B deficit and you are sitting pretty with an $11.4B boondoggle.
What am I missing here? Anyone? Schnorf? Bueller?
Comment by Obamarama Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:00 pm
Obie,
Cutting those taxes would result in businesses leaving where ever they are and flocking to Illinois which would create millions of jobs, spur economic growth, increase state revenue and its happy days are here again. Its kinda like reganonomics through a kaleidoscope.
Comment by Bill Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:05 pm
Bill,
And then everyone gets a pony too!
Comment by Jimbo Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:10 pm
Senator Dillard it is time. Man up and CONCEDE! Brady needs to get off the dime and start his campaign. Here the legislature is challenging him and the current Governor is about ready to produce a budget. The GOP needs a candidate
Comment by votecounter Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:14 pm
and a free lunch!
Comment by Bill Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:15 pm
Hey - I would rather have the results of Reaganomics right now. Yeah - no pony or lunch, but still Reaganomics is better than what we got.
We’re broke. Remember?
And by the way, no one is willing to call California bankrupted because no one knows how to do it. Imagine that!
We’re next. Government so broke, it can’t even declare bankrupsy.
My. Oh. My.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:18 pm
I agree with Louis. The budget address should have been delivered last week—on time as scheduled.
And this nonsense about it being more transparent and taking public soundings is a typical chicago dem stunt to keep the masses and press quiet and wrongly focused. Funny how Daley is now being open with fidning alderman and taking public soundings. coincidence? If there was really something to being more “open” with the budget process, why did it all come about within the last couple of weeks? Quinn should’ve been touting it last year all along as a fresh and novel approach.
I really do suspect that the FY11 budget is bring thrown together, post primary election. Or if it isn’t totally being thrown together now and over the next week, then most of it is. I think Quinn wanted to see if he would win, and who his competition would be on the GOP side.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:23 pm
Well kids if you can find leadership that will push for a tax increase (good luck with that) I think cuts is what you are left with….
Heck perhaps we should just shut a bunch of stuff down for a year (or zero fund it).
Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:25 pm
Fire every state employee even the leg and you still have a 9 billion dollar hole. Cuts ain’t going to do it.
Comment by Jimbo Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:27 pm
Brady just wants to be ablel stand up at a debate and say “he’ll raise your taxes, and I’ll cut them.” Every thinking person understands that this mess will require both reductions in spending and new revenue along with pension reform. If you don’t do all three, you don’t solve the problem. No ifs ands or buts.
Comment by Niles Township Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:36 pm
I agree with OneMan. If we shut every school in the state down for a year…
Actually, we would still come up way short.
Comment by ok Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:37 pm
Quinn is Governor. It is his job, along with the legislature to come up with a budget.
As to the Dillard/Brady vote. As I understand it, we don’t have an “official” vote until the ISBE certifies the vote tally. All we have is the AP count. I, as a voter, want my vote counted. I’m sure every other voter does too. It’s been three weeks, we can wait another couple to get official numbers. Then, if one candidate refuses to concede, we can talk about it “being time”. If the difference were 5000 votes it would be different. It’s currently reported as a shade over 200. That’s close in anyone’s book.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:42 pm
Sorry, Anonymous 4:42 is TimB. Forgot to fill in the name.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:43 pm
I am not saying shut down schools, the point I am trying to make is at this point with all of the empty threats and the stupid budget tricks of the last 6 years that is going to be what it takes.
You want to get GOP legislators to push for a tax increase, shut down a state U or two.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:52 pm
Here’s a crazy idea to solve the budget:
1. Create a two-year budget;
2. Increase personal income tax to 8% the first year, then phase it to 6% the following year, then it goes to 4% permanently;
3. Increase the corporate income tax to 8% the first year, then phase it down to 6% and leave it there;
4. Moderately (and I mean very moderately) broaden services to be applicable to sales tax — place two-year freeze on local sales tax rates (this can be done);
5. Cut spending to all state services (something can be cut from everywhere) and freeze spending at these new levels for the two-year cycle (I apologize now for not specifically identifying where I’d cut, but cuts cannot be done “across the board”);
6. Create two-tierd pension structure for new hires (I’ve seen some decent proposals out there);
7. Dedicate all new net revenues (after payroll and direct obligations such as bonded debt, pensions and Medicaid) to paying off existing debts/bills; and
8. If any net revenues remain — the first $1.0 billion shall go into the “Rainy Day Fund,” and any remaining thereafter is to go into capital investments/infrastructure programs.
That may actually get us back on track — but I don’t have the ability to crunch the numbers. Further, I realize that it will be a gigantic leap of faith by businesses to stay during those two-years.
Comment by unclesam Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 5:50 pm
Oh come on Dillard , my man !?. There are no more votes to count, no more ballots anywhere & working on a month since the election. 200 or 2000 or 20,000 , that’s it man. As much as this has been scrutinized , followed & with this day & age of electronic tabulations…??? Brady won & Dillard didn’t. It happens. The clerks will report on the 23rd & ISBE certifies on 3/5/10. I hope Dillard will do the right thing here & concede soon. Further delay only weakens the parties position & any “hint” on a recount should be stopped immediately by whomever controls Dillard.
Comment by downstater Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 5:50 pm
uncle, the exact dollars may not be right, but the concept you are talking about is a legitimate way to start addressing the mess we’re in. Perhaps such an approach could be a Republican alternative to the Governor’s plan.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 5:56 pm
Unclesam,
Just so I’m clear, you want to more than double taxes for the first year, then double them for the second year and then increase them by a 1/3 permanently.
Hmm, let’s see what wrong with this. We’ve got unemployment over 10%, employers buckling under the weight of their current tax burden, and people struggling to make ends meet.
But I suppose if any employer and individual taxpayers remain past that first year, sounds like a great plan.
I favor a rational tax increase plan, but sorry man, that’s just not rational.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:00 pm
Steve,
I can’t think of a single Dem, let alone single Republican, who might sign off on anything remotely that draconian.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:02 pm
Blowhard is the Combine candidate, why would he concede to help a true reformer. Okay, I am being silly
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:09 pm
cc, I think when all is said and done, they are going to sign off on something a heck of a lot more draconian, or we’ll all be having these same discussions five years from now, under the watchful eye of a federal court appointed monitor.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:13 pm
Sen. Dillard is waiting for the numbers to get to the Illinois SBE and see what they are Feb 23rd maybe tomorrow.
I am little confused on the question about requiring a Budget from Brady hasn’t Quinn received a delay in presenting his 20011 state budget?
The question about raising taxes and questioning Brady is also interesting hasn’t Mike Madigan said there is no need for a tax increase?
Seems to me you should quit blaming the republicans and start blaming the people in control; the democrats after all they spent all the money.
Comment by Dnstateanon Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:15 pm
We were broke a year ago…what’s different now? Beginning in 2002, MJM fed at the trough, then Blago/Jones went nuts. This is the State’s problem, but its the Chicago D’s responsibility to correct it. Sorry, boys you’ve got all the votes you need. Now fix it. If the R’s take over the house this election (not likely), then they’ll have power to change things. Until then, show some leadership. BTW, blaming the superminority R’s for the problem is NOT showing leadership.
Comment by Park Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:20 pm
I agree 100% with Schnorf. People who feel “the Senate has done its job” by tossing the hot tater of HB174 to MJM are either spinning or underinformed about the magnitude of the problem. The “cut cut cut” crew are similarly daft or disingenuous.
AA sees merit in uncle’s idea; at the very least it’s scaled at levels sufficient to fix the structural problems.
You guys that didn’t like Filan or don’t like MJM for being “overcontrolling” aren’t at all ready for government by Fed monitors. Ask the Rockford School District how well that works.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:29 pm
cc, I’m not a big fan of increasing taxes ever, but one must come into reality. First, the state needs to frontload most of any new revenue it receives and do so in a very responsible way. I believe people will respect you if you can say we’ll all take the big hit up front, get out checkbook balanced, and try to fix the structural funding issues going forward. Knowing that your taxes will go back down over time should negate some of the initial anger because it is what must be done.
Comment by unclesam Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 6:35 pm
I am pretty sure what Madigan has said is that he is not opposed to a tax increase, but he won’t call a vote on one without Republican support. He can read the red in as well as anyone. But he won’t let his caucus be the only votes for an increase. That would be foolish, and he’s no fool.
Comment by DuPage Dave Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 7:05 pm
I agree with you uncle and have been saying for years that failure to deal with the situation the last few years will only make our hole deeper forcing more draconian cuts and taxes.
I believe our leaders have been amazingly irresponsible, which has only lead to further pain. But it’s also irresponsible to claim that the budget can be balanced without tax increases.
That said, raising income taxes to eight percent will have counterproductive effects on the business community.
I believe Laurence Msall of the Civic Federation is right on target with a balanced approach. Whatever we do, there will be pain. We just need to be smart about it.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 7:13 pm
“I am pretty sure what Madigan has said is that he is not opposed to a tax increase, but he won’t call a vote on one without Republican support. He can read the red in as well as anyone. But he won’t let his caucus be the only votes for an increase. That would be foolish, and he’s no fool. ”
And that’s the problem right there.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 8:06 pm
Worst campaign manager in the history of Illinois politics = Tim Peters. Wasn’t he bar tending six months ago?
Comment by brady big Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 8:20 pm
{- Jimbo - Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 4:27 pm:
Fire every state employee even the leg and you still have a 9 billion dollar hole. Cuts ain’t going to do it. }
Not necessarily. They could have Ed Liddy run as a third party candidate for Governor; he’s got the plan and already.
Terminate all the employees, offer those under the age of 45 the opportunity to come back as independent contractors. No Pension or benefits.
Bank a little money for the annual litigation expense each year for 10-12 years and then settle with the senior employees you screwed for pennies on the dollar 15 years from now. He would give all those that are not fully vested in the pension plan their money back, and then not have to contribute any new money into it other than the un-funded current liabilities on an annualized basis.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 9:29 pm
===I believe Laurence Msall of the Civic Federation is right on target with a balanced approach. Whatever we do, there will be pain. We just need to be smart about it. ===
Cynic, and I say this with absolute respect and general agreement: when is the last time this cast of characters (Gov., House + Senate), ever did anything we would describe as “smart?”
I’ve missed most of the discussion today on the CF plan, so forgive me if we’ve covered making an income tax hike more progressive, either constitutionally or through tax credits/deductions. I don’t see how you get this through the process without progressivity.
And if you start with HB174, which I strongly support, and which isn’t progressive, odds are that our distinguished men and women in the General Assembly will have to do this again in 3-4 years.
Why not amend HB174 and take the rate to 6, include some deductions or EITC stuff to make it as progressive as possible (without the delay of going the Con route), and turn the clock back to 2007, except with some modest property tax relief? That’s what I’d vote for. Everyday that passes is going to make 3% to 5% look like a bargain.
In an ironic twist of fate, the CF killed Bill Brady’s campaign today. Now the Dems can revive Brady’s campaign only by signing on to the CF plan in its current form.
Don’t you love irony?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 9:42 pm
how about we up the sale of tompson to about 20 billion dollars?
Comment by Brady is my Man Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 10:42 pm
First, does the top Democrat in the Senate what Brady’s proposal now when he won’t even let his own caucus members sit in on the closed door budget meetings with him, Madigan and Quinn? Really?
Second, Brady’s plan is no secret, it is basic economics. Cut taxes to create jobs. If you give a business a $1500.00 tax break to create a job and that person turns around pays $4000.00 a year in various state and federal taxes you just netted $2500.00. It ain’t rocket science. The more people paying taxes the better. I am on the fence with a tax hike, but raising taxes in a bad economy is historically a bad idea.
Comment by the Patriot Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 7:52 am