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* I got a whole lot of press releases from GOP legislators yesterday, including this one…

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved legislation that would send $700 million in designated funds to human service agencies that have been caught in the state’s budget battle. In response to the bipartisan support given to SB 2038, State Representative Peter Breen (R-Lombard) has issued the following statement:

“While Speaker Madigan continues his efforts to score political points through continued gridlock, today we saw a more of a new trend in Springfield: Democrat lawmakers coming back to the negotiating table with Republicans to fund vital Illinois programs. Just as we did a few weeks ago with emergency funding for higher education, today we approved $700 million in stopgap funding for our human service charities.”

* And this one…

Calling it a major victory for Republicans who have been fighting for responsible and balanced spending in Springfield, State Representative Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) applauded the House’ 111-0-3 vote on Thursday that will send $700 million in dedicated and available funds to human services agencies that have been caught in the crossfire of the budget battle.

“House Republicans have advocated for over a year now and have beseeched our Democrat colleagues to engage in responsible budgeting and spending,” said Sandack. “Throughout the year we have opposed spending money we didn’t have and making funding promises we couldn’t keep. Today, we matched spending with identified revenue to provide stopgap funding for struggling human service agencies.”

Etc.

* But…

A stopgap appropriations bill to immediately fund social services agencies will likely sit idle on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.

The measure, approved by both the Illinois House and Senate on Thursday would have authorized spending about $450 million from a human services fund, and another $250 million from special funds to be spent on items such as foreclosure prevention, and affordable housing.

The governor can sit on this thing for 60 days, and that appears to be the case for now here. So, all that glorious talk yesterday was for show. Expect a Speaker Madigan press release about GOP gamesmanship in 3… 2…

* And…

Despite Republican support for the plan in the House, the governor was lukewarm on the idea of signing another stopgap funding bill, saying Thursday that he preferred a comprehensive budget compromise to a quick fix. […]

The Rauner administration also laid groundwork for a future veto, sending a memo to lawmakers detailing a glitch in the bill’s language that could prohibit funding operational expenses for human services programs. For instance, the memo contends an HIV/AIDS program within the Department of Public Health couldn’t pay for administrative costs like lab testing or medical supplies under the plan.

* I happen to agree wholeheartedly with Emily on this…

Emily Miller, director of policy and advocacy with Voices for Illinois Children, dubbed the appropriations bill “emergency cash” — not a stopgap — while urging a full budget for social service agencies.

“Only a budget can actually provide some stability and let them have the lines of credit returned to them. This doesn’t really do that,” Miller said. “We’ve got to agree on new revenue and a total budget package.”

We absolutely need a real budget. No doubt about it.

But if it doesn’t happen, he needs to sign that bill.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:38 am

Comments

=== But if it doesn’t happen, he needs to sign that bill. ===

Yes!

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:44 am
So how does something pass 111-0 if the all-powerful, all-controlling Madigan is promoting gridlock?

Pick a lane.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:48 am
The nauseating comment I heard on the radio was a politician saying along the lines of “We care about you that we are providing $700 million which provides nearly 50% of what the service providers are owed so they can pay down their lines of credit …”

My thought was that if they cared so much about the service providers, why didn’t the politicians provide 100% of the money owed?

We care about you, here is a pittance…

Comment by Huh? Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:50 am
I’m not sure if this applies here but the Constitution says this:

(d) The Governor may reduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to him. Portions of a bill not reduced or vetoed shall become law.

Since this is substantive language I’m not sure this applies but it would be worth asking a lawyer. If it does the Governor could item veto that section and the rest would become law.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:51 am
+1 @Emily Miller, +1 @Rich.

Though it is problematic this bill omits medical supplies or lab testing for HIV/AIDS, vendor reporting or billing for Human Services Early Intervention, food, educational materials and supplies for Lincoln’s Challenge, the Senior Help Line for the elderly and more. That would be a heck of a thing to ==own== by signing the bill.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:53 am
I think the Governor needs to sign this if nothing else to help restore trust between him and the GA, otherwise, I could see sitting on it until June 1 to see if there is a comprehensive budget, but singing now might actually help with the budget negotiations.

Just sign the bill.

Comment by Ahoy! Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:53 am
===Representative Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) applauded the House’ 111-0-3 vote on Thursday that will send $700 million in dedicated and available funds to human services agencies that have been caught in the crossfire of the budget battle.===

I’ll expect to “see” Ron Sandack on May 18th telling the governor ASAP to sign this.

Sandack is no help, as usual, while trying to continue “Fire Madigan”

Ugh

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:54 am
Any Illinois citizens that are sick of the current budget standoff are invited to join with their Labor, Community and Religious brothers and sisters at the March and Rally on Wednesday, May 18th. LET RAUNER KNOW THAT HIS POLICIES ARE WRONG FOR ILLINOIS!

We will assemble at 11AM at 5th & Washington in Springfield. From there we will march to the Governor’s Mansion and then rally in front of the State Capitol (2nd Street) at Noon!

All are welcome to participate! Please join us!

http://bit.ly/1s8lai7

Comment by Omega Man Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:56 am
==So how does something pass 111-0 if the all-powerful, all-controlling Madigan is promoting gridlock?==

It takes more than one piece, or one bill, to view the entire completed puzzle, doesn’t it?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:56 am
So.. Rauner allows his people to vote for this stop gap funding, but now he decides to sit on it?

And Rauner wonders why people don’t trust him.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:56 am
“Today, we matched spending with identified revenue”

Um, no. You raided funds. While it may have been the only politically viable way to get these social services agencies the funding they should get in the short-term, let’s not pretend like what happened here was good fiscal practice.

Comment by Jason Horwitz Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:59 am
So if Rauner vetoes this bill the question for the republicans who voted for this bill, will you also vote to do the veto override. If not then this is all a sham.

Comment by illlinifan Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:00 am
==Omega Man - Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:56 am:==
Omega, if it doesn’t storm that day, I’ll be there.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:02 am
–It takes more than one piece, or one bill, to view the entire completed puzzle, doesn’t it?–

Very wise, Grasshopper. Now that you’ve snatched the pebble from my hand, you can go.

But I’d suggest unanimous passage of a bill is not part of the definition of “gridlock.” It would appear to be progress.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:03 am
…along with the rest of the retirees groups.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:04 am
illinois has had some bad governors,but this guy is by far the worst!!

Comment by tired of bs Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:05 am
FKA, the purpose is to provide money to human service providers, not pay for state operational costs. Rauner responsible for vetoing operation lines, let him come up with solution.

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:09 am
Yes. Give them the money. No point in having it sit around.

But..when Ms.Miller is talking about a full budget for social services, how much is she talking about. And who will pay. Recent events suggest that the taxes which are imposed (income, sales/services) will be regressive, the most regressive taxes our political masters can find.
The current fiscal planning for Illinois is being done by the five percent on behalf of the five percent, with special extra help for the one percent. And the middle class won’t be eligible, by income, for most of these social services. So, how much, and who pays?

Comment by Cassandra Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:10 am
Oswego Willy’s man crush on Ron Sandack continues. #UnrequitedLove

Comment by Georg Sande Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:11 am
“Um, no. You raided funds.”

Um. No.

Also, as of this post, the bill hasn’t been sent to the Gov yet.

Comment by More Courage Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:12 am
Oh - Georg Sande -…

Sandack is quoted in the Post.

Sandack is also the Raunerite’s Floor Leader…

… Like Lou Lang…

Your fascination with me? Yikes, dude, it’s a nice day out…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:13 am
Rauner is holding because if all his favorite agitators are neutralized he will have nothing for his “indoctrination” speeches in high schools. /s

Comment by cdog Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:19 am
neither “quick” nor “fix”.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:27 am
More Courage, you disagree? From the law establishing the Commitment to Human Services Fund (the source for a majority of the funding in this bill):
“Moneys appropriated from the Fund shall supplement and not supplant the current level of human services funding.”

Comment by Jason Horwitz Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:38 am
To claim the push for these meetings and compromises did not come from both sides, is nonsense. Everyone in S’field knows better. Why do some, Sandack in this case, always just say “blame them,” or “thank us?” Why not simply praise the progress on both sides?

Comment by walker Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:03 pm
Remember how Rauner picked on Pat Quinn for insufficient budgeting and piecemeal stop-gap appropriations? I’m enjoying watching the GOP go along with similar methods this week.

I think Madigan has the Republicans flipped over and this is going to be great political fodder.

Comment by Union Man Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:05 pm
For those who helped pass this in the House, thank you! And, to those who helped pass this in the House, the People of Illinois will be watching if Rauner repeats the K-12strategy of last year and vetoes this bill expecting those of you familiar with yellow and red buttons to back him up. Three words- Don’t.Do.It. Being a Raunerite will haunt you if you do.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:17 pm
“While Speaker Madigan continues his efforts to score political points through continued gridlock, today we saw a more of a new trend in Springfield: Democrat lawmakers coming back to the negotiating table with Republicans to fund vital Illinois programs. ”

If Rauner doesn’t sign this then HE is causing the gridlock. Thanks Rep. Breen.

Comment by Jimmy H Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:22 pm
Jason - the CHS fund was used for human services. I wouldn’t call that a raid. Maybe on the margins you could argue some of the spending (Lincoln’s Challenge at DMA), but i don’t think you would find much support for an argument that it wasn’t used for human services.

On the supplant/supplement issue - I don’t think approp from that fund has ever met that bar. Following that logic, the fund should not be appropriated at all until all other human services funding has been enacted. Getting the cash that is in this fund into the hands of providers was good fiscal practice.

Comment by More Courage Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:24 pm
===Thanks Rep. Breen===

lol

Good point.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:26 pm