Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Republicans say there are problems with Democratic payroll bill

Posted in:

Illinois

* I told subscribers about this yesterday…

Gov. Rauner’s administration is raising concerns about a plan the House Democrats are pushing to free up money for employee paychecks after Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked a court to block salaries unless lawmakers approved a spending plan.

The Democratic legislation has “a lack of clarity,” according to a review by the governor’s budget office that was included in an analysis of the bill prepared for Republican lawmakers. Among the issues raised is uncertainty about whether the bill earmarks enough money to cover all employee salaries and a lack of funding for contractual workers.

The analysis also noted that some paychecks would be covered by dollars taken from the state’s road fund, which can no longer be tapped to pay for services that aren’t related to transportation under a constitutional amendment voters approved in the November election. However, the analysis notes that restriction could be addressed if the road fund money was used to pay salaries of police and workers in the transportation department.

The evaluation comes as the GOP pushes an alternative plan to keep paychecks flowing by changing state law to ensure salaries are paid regardless of whether or not lawmakers have agreed on a budget plan.

The bill is here. As an example, the Department of Corrections is appropriated just $258,200 for payroll.

* From the analysis…

* It is unclear if the amounts in the bill are meant to be an amount needed for the remainder of the fiscal year, and are in addition to amounts that have already been allocated under court order, or if the amounts represent spending including sums allocated under the court order.

* The amounts for some agencies, including the Department of Corrections and the Attorney General, represent a small portion of actual funds needed.

* Some agencies lack appropriations entirely, including DCFS, DJJ and the State Board of Elections. This appears to be because such expenditures would be covered by separate consent decrees.

* Narrative language does not allow payments for contractual personnel services, which are utilized by some agencies.

* Narrative language leaves ambiguity regarding if payments are limited to payroll or could include payments for group insurance claims.

The HGOP proposal, which is basically a continuing approp through the end of the fiscal year, is here. The analysis is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 9:45 am

Comments

We’ll just get volunteers to fill in for the COs

Comment by Rogue Roni Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 9:51 am
It didn’t take long for them to find a way to tap into the road fund. They just can’t keep their hands off that honey pot.

Comment by Casual observer Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 9:55 am
The comical irony is that the Governor’s Office and both House Caucuses are so invested in these payroll Bills is in clear contrast to the Governor proposing a budget and working to get his budget demands with the Caucuses to get everyone paid… and agencies’ missions funded.

The more serious all actors in this take these Bills, the more they lampoon themselves.

“Analyze these Bills! We need these Bills to work! We’re not signing off until… ”

… and yet all three actors continue to see the budget, apparently, as the distraction to these Bills to pay state employees?

Geez, Louise, the concern by the Governor’s Office is compelling… for hostage takers, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 9:55 am
==according to a review by the governor’s budget office==

I’m surprised they could find the time, as they busily “work the numbers” on Bruce’s proposed budget./s

As the saying goes, “I’ve shown you mine… Now show me yours!”

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 10:04 am
Good move not including the contractual workers.

If they were included, then Rauner would have spending authority for strike breakers … something that would change the balance of the current labor / management standoff.

I’ll bet contractual funds will be in the GOP proposal.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 10:27 am
C’mon we all know that we can use volunteers for positions like Child investigators, Safety inspectors, and other positions that are in specialty fields.

Volunteers will fix this state as they can easily figure out these speciality positions quickly and not endanger anyone.

Rauners thinking

Comment by John Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 10:33 am
The governor and GOP don’t quite understand or they have played the madigan fault card for so long the believe it, but the legislature only appropriated the money it is up to the agencies( governor , secretary treasurer comptroller and Ag to manage their funding.

It clearly states the following sums or so Much thereof as necessary, respectively are appropriated to the following agencies from GRF for making personal services, social security and madicar contributions, retirement and group health contributions

This is only for general revenue funds maybe corrections recieves federal funding? And wasn’t federal funds already appropriated.

Comment by AFSCME supporter Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 10:34 am
Wait! You mean the House Dems and Speaker are not working in concert with AG Madigan on this issue?

What a surprise! /s

Comment by walker Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 11:51 am
Republican continuing appropriation bill does not expressly reference “contractual” employees either.

Comment by RETANALYST Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 2:36 pm