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Pritzker, Mendoza and Lightfoot respond to the president’s halting of stimulus talks

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Illinois

Economic relief talks screeched to a halt Tuesday as President Trump ordered Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to stop negotiating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi until after the election.

* From the governor’s office…

State and local governments have been on the frontline fighting this pandemic and providing essential services like healthcare, education and public safety. The failure of revenue due to the pandemic is not a blue state vs. red state issue, it’s a challenge that every single state across this nation is grappling with. Florida’s governor likened their budget to the red wedding scene from Game of Thrones and Texas’s budget went from surplus to billions in the red. The Governor strongly urges the President to be responsible and resume talks because the people of this nation deserve a federal government that works for them.

* Comptroller Mendoza…

The president of the United States is now officially holding Americans hostage and attempting to bribe them for votes. While Americans suffer because of his shameful mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump tweets that he has called off negotiations on a stimulus bill until and unless he wins re-election. To be clear, Illinois and other states seek federal assistance not for legacy problems that, at least here in Illinois, we are dealing with. The stimulus request is to cover lost revenues directly caused by the COVID crisis that would not have cost the United States nearly as much in lives and money had the president done his job responsibly. His selfish action will further drive up his already indefensible death toll and further hurt Americans and states that are struggling financially.

* Mayor Lightfoot…

At an unrelated news conference Tuesday afternoon, Lightfoot declined to confirm reports that her office had asked labor unions representing the city’s 33,000 employees to agree to $200 million in cuts through a combination of layoffs, pay cuts or furloughs to balance the budget. […]

But Lightfoot acknowledged she has “engaged” with organized labor and urged their leaders to come to the table “with real concrete solutions” and warned the clock was ticking. […]

Lightfoot grew emotional when asked about the city’s precarious financial condition, which includes an additional $799 million shortfall in the 2020 fiscal year.

“Kicking the can down the road, not who I am,” Lightfoot said. “Our moment of reckoning is right now.”

The city has no good solutions to close the gap, Lightfoot said, adding that she has warned aldermen that the looming vote on the budget will be the toughest they have ever faced.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 10:05 pm

Comments

I’d take anything Trump says or tweets while sick and on his current drugs, with a grain of salt. He’s publicly flipped twice on this issue in less than 24 hours.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 9:39 am
But these same people seem to think the President and the Senate should have shut down early when it comes to filling judicial offices after all there is an election coming up and the people should decide what course the country should take.

Comment by Arock Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 9:41 am
Just as businesses received stimulus for revenues cut due to Covid 19, government agencies should receive funding to replace the tax revenue depleted by Covid 19. I don’t think the Democrats have conveyed that very well and have allowed Repubs to push that this is a pension fund get well bill.

Comment by James the Intolerant Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:11 am
D’s asked for $3 Trillion. Then they asked for $2.2 Trillion. Just be realistic on the needs of the people and government and a deal could have already been struck.

Comment by Petey L. Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:27 am
==- James the Intolerant - Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:11 am:==

You are right about the media and our governor need to do more to help the public to understand that all state and local government agencies should receive “federal funding to replace the tax revenue depleted by COVID-19.”

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:55 am
Plus they need to educate the public on what the government taxes are used for.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:56 am
==- Petey L. - Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:27 am:==

The downfall is Trump refused to help State and Local governments.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:58 am
Lori should have hiked property taxes when she took office last year and blamed it on Rahm with the larger than anticipated deficit. This was inevitably going to happen with the pension ramp.

It looks like the options are now exhaust $900MM in rainy day funds and pray for a dem sweep, more one-time refinance initiatives, cuts, property taxes.

If property taxes don’t happen this year they will happen next year and/or PO Bonds will gain steam with a $700MM ramp coming in 2023 in time for a city election.

Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 11:51 am
Property taxes will never decrease. That is a pipe dream.

Comment by Petey L. Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 11:59 am
I saw the 2008 recession blow a $500 million hole in a $6 billion City of Chicago budget. This looks to be much worse.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 12:06 pm
Apparently POTUS is now negotiating against…himself, everyone, the steroids? I’m not sure.

Comment by Proud Sucker Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 12:56 pm
== Plus they need to educate the public on what the government taxes are used for.==

The public has been told repeatedly what the taxes are used for. During the Rauner years, lots of social service agencies and support groups folded due to no money, etc etc. The public didn’t care then and they don’t care now.

Comment by thoughts matter Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:12 pm
If this state had been properly managed over the last 40 years by many of these same people they wouldn’t need to beg from Uncle Fed. I would limit any bill to a loss of revenues due to COVID 19 as well. This state is certainly not deserving of a federal bailout.

Comment by Really Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 5:23 pm
=== If this state had been properly managed over the last 40 years by many of…===

Join us in the “now”. People are hurting… now. Municipalities are hurting… now.

=== This state is certainly not deserving of a federal bailout.===

Defund the police, amirite?

That’s what you’re saying.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 5:28 pm