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The AP’s report:
Democrat leaders delivered some good news and bad news at the state Capitol Wednesday as the self-imposed deadline for a new state budget draws near.The good news: The top two Democrat legislative leaders huddled behind closed doors with Gov. Rod Blagojevich for about two hours in the first serious budget discussions of the spring.
The bad news: The leaders talked only generally about the budget and signaled there still are some major obstacles to clear before an agreement is reached, even as they hope to finish their work within a week.
When did the AP start using the phrase “Democrat leaders”? The last time I checked, it was called the Democratic Party. Only Republicans wanting to make a subtle rhetorical point usually use that Democrat Party stuff. Anyway, here’s the Tribune’s take.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and fellow Democrats who control the legislature began negotiating Wednesday on how much spending they can include in a new state budget as the governor sought to keep his showcase initiatives intact.Blagojevich made a rare appearance in the waning days of the spring legislative session, amid grumbling from lawmakers that there may not be enough money for some of his key proposals.
And the Sun-Times:
With a self-imposed adjournment deadline looming, Gov. Blagojevich and top Democratic leaders Wednesday took their first steps toward crafting a new state budget. […]Our staffs have been meeting, but there are major items I believe the leaders have to resolve, and that’s what this meeting was all about,” said Jones, the only leader to talk about the private session.
It was unclear how far apart dollar-wise the three sides are in a 2007 spending plan, but one area of disagreement appeared to be Blagojevich’s $90 million plan to create a $1,000 tuition tax credit for college students who maintain a “B” average. Sources familiar with the talks indicated Madigan pushed to dole out the money in a state grant program, while Jones advocated a mix between grants and tax credits.
Still, a Blagojevich aide said there were no major areas of contention and that all three leaders plan to resume talks today, six days before lawmakers hope to wrap up their work for the spring.
Democratic leaders told Gov. Rod Blagojevich to accept a smaller budget Wednesday. […]“We’re going to do what’s necessary to get a budget and then get - out of here,” said Jones, D-Chicago, following the meeting.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 6:55 am
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Give a Democrat enough rope and he will hang himself and I think this bunch is getting ready to do it.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 7:09 am
Good catch, Democrat is the noun and Democratic is the adjective
Comment by Churroman Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 7:12 am
The most important conclusion I draw from these negotiations is that there is unquestionably enough money to run the state; the only issues being discussed are distribution issues.
There is even enough for that silly tuition tax credit, which is apparently targeted at middle class voters who are now supposed to vote for Blago in gratitude for same.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 7:29 am
Sounds like they are telling the Gov. that he has to use his own money to get re-elected instead of the taxpayers.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 8:07 am
This budget should show that the Democrats,especially the Chicago ones,don’t give a damm about anything except themselves to exclude downstate people and the people who represent them.Last year I read the budget and there was tons of pork going to Chicago how much will they get this time shortchanging the rest of the people of this state.Make Chicago a seperate state and they could not support themselves.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 8:57 am
Unfortunately, one party control of the executive and legislative branches of government does not favor adequate oversight of the budget by the legislature. We saw this in the 80’s with the Republicans and we’re seeing it again now with the Democrats. Certainly, the budget will give a blueprint for the majority party’s priorities, but without the minority party being asked for input, there simply isn’t enough scrutiny of the budget numbers themselves. There are some big budget problems brewing at some of the state agencies in Illinois and yet, until they manifest themselves over the next year, the majority party doesn’t want to know about them. This isn’t a partisan slam, because historically, both parties have chosen to take a short-term view of the budget in order to avoid hard decisions.
Remember too, this year they deferred $1.2 billion in pension obligations to avoid really contenious budget negotiations. Next year the pension bill goes up by $1.6 billion. Next year, whoever is Governor is facing a huge budget problem, unless the state intends to sell/lease the tollway system. And even then, the real structural problem is only obscured. At some point soon, our leaders either have to ask Illinois citizens to pay more for their services or ask them to forego some of those services.
Comment by Budget Watcher Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 8:59 am
Besides the AP story Rich caught, Mike Frazier had an article in yesterday’s Herald & Review in which he writes, “Democrat lawmakers say they are saving taxpayers’ money and restoring health to the pension system after years of mismanagement and abuse.” It’s a reasonably balanced article, and I doubt that Frazier was doing it intentionally (though an editor may have changed it) but it does indicate the degree to which this Republican rhetorical device has crept into mainstream discourse. I even hear Democrats misuse it from time to time.
Comment by Sepia Dog Democrat Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 9:10 am
Budget watcher, as usual, is accurate. His pessimistic view for the future, however, hits upon a solution. Sell the tollway, sell the ISAC portfolio, sell the 10th license to Chicago, where it can make some real money. Cut funding to superfluous agencies like DNR or better yet sell the state parks. Sweep ALL of the dedicated funds.Make some real cuts in state employment.
By that time a maybe a Republican will be governor. Let him(her?)raise income and sales taxes.
Comment by the original Bill Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 9:21 am
It’s good to see the leader of the Senate being judicious with the state budget… not!
Comment by Andrew Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 5:19 pm
I love the quote you put in todays Capitol Fax.. I hope you washed Mike M’s mouth out Rich.
Comment by Worried Farmer Thursday, Apr 6, 06 @ 10:03 pm