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Budget intrigue

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Illinois

* I’ve been telling subscribers about these developments since last week…

[Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson] said the Senate should pass a “bare bones” budget and only pay for what the state can afford.

Rep. David Miller, a Lynwood Democrat, said the budget process in the House is being conducted to give individual members the chance to make a case for increased funding for particular departments so that the budget “reflects the needs of the state.”

The disconnect between the feuding budget proposals could indicate a “long, hot summer” like last year, said Rep. Mark Beaubien, a Barrington Hills Republican. “Everyone’s going their own separate ways. … The normal process of the budgeteers has totally broken down.”

Beaubien said the breakdown is by design — House Speaker Michael Madigan is pushing an overly optimistic, wish-list budget “designed to fail.” As a budget negotiator for his caucus, he said he believes Madigan may want to pressure the governor to accept an income tax increase to pay for increased funding for state agencies and new programs.

“The scenario being set up by Madigan is showing: ‘This is what we all want. We can’t get there. Let’s raise taxes,’” he said.

* The Senate and House Dems are going in opposite directions. Last year, Madigan wanted a bare bones budget and the Senate wanted more. This time, the roles are reversed, at least for now. Madigan wants a huge budget increase, and Jones wants a more modest proposal.

* Related…

* State: Food stamps, WIC at highest level ever in Illinois

* IDOT kills roadkill cleanup

* Editorial: Legislators, governor, start talking now

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 16, 08 @ 2:31 am

Comments

Don’t put a lot of stock in the reports of big budget increases from the house.
Keep in mind the BooBoo….
… knows next to nothing about what the Ds are actualy planning, and
….will vote “no” after dragging out the process as long as possible.
Remember everytime Tom Cross and the Sock Puppets talk about being “open” to anything just sub in the word stall.
Then go read Peggy Noonan obit on the GOPs in the WSJ.

Comment by Wild Bill Friday, May 16, 08 @ 8:08 am
Prediction: there will be a govt shut down this time.

Comment by Ghost Friday, May 16, 08 @ 8:24 am
While this is an election season with voters overwhelmingly angry over state government, we have a one-party state with few political opponents available to benefit from missteps taken by incumbants.

So, we really have few recources available at this time and can only sit by while the 2008 Summer Games begin.

Halvorson needs to see a quiet budget. Shhh!-she’s running for office and doesn’t want to bring attention to the incompetent General Assembly’s destruction of the state. She is the Majority Leader, so she is listened to. If she wants a bare-bones budget, others are listening.

However, Michael Madigan will call the shots in the House and he has more credibility than either Jones or Halvorson after last year’s fiasco.

Blagojevich will try to rock the boat, so if these people want to return next year, (those with credible opposition), he needs to be ignored and shoved away from microphones and cameras.

Let the games begin!

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 16, 08 @ 8:56 am
PREDICATION: Times are tough…
With an opossum available for every pot there will be a run on Road Kill Cookbooks…
order yours today.
PS. Maybe IDOT should collect the roadkill and open roadside/rest area meat markets to raise a few extra dollar$ to help their budget shortfall.

Comment by curious george Friday, May 16, 08 @ 9:04 am
Perhaps Madigan wants to put the governor’s money where his mouth is. You want an expansion in government then figure out how to pay for them. Of course the governor did sign a tax increase, it’s too bad that it’s likely the governor would pull a stunt similar to what he did with transit funding by adding another free giveaway.

Comment by Levois Friday, May 16, 08 @ 9:06 am
Sen. Halvorson may have a valid point. We could start by only paying the legislators what they are worth…oh, darn it! That damn minimum wage law keeps getting in the way!

Comment by fedup dem Friday, May 16, 08 @ 9:11 am
Out of line Ghost, I’m deleting that comment.

Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, May 16, 08 @ 9:27 am
Let’s seem them both, the bare bones and the wishlist. Then proponents of each should take them on a road show for hearings all over the state. Could be educational.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 16, 08 @ 9:28 am
Maybe Madigan does want to raise income taxes. After all, if Lisa is going to be the next governor, it would make it easier if all that plundering of the taxpayers is overwith for a least the early part of what he no doubt conceives as a multiterm reign.

And of course, their next raise will insulate
our fearless legislators from any pain caused by an income tax increase. As our legislative districts, skewed to protect incumbents, will insulate them from being thrown out of office.

I’ve said it before…Illinois citizens are so, so
pluckable, even in an economic downturn. Other state governors, of less sheeplike populations, must be envious of Blago and the Illinois General Assembly.

Comment by Cassandra Friday, May 16, 08 @ 9:33 am
I’m glad I was sitting down. To hear a politician, a Democrat no less utter the phrase ‘only pay for what the state can afford’, is astounding.

I will be surprised in this new found sanity gains any acceptance amongst the leadership.

Comment by plutocrat03 Friday, May 16, 08 @ 9:36 am
Maybe MJM wants to get the tax increase in place before Lisa runs for governor……….

Comment by Leigh Friday, May 16, 08 @ 11:28 am
Emil seeking to pass a “modest, slow-growth budget”? He is either under investigation or hired by Team Obama to campaign (and I’m sure it’s paid campaigning).

As to Madigan and AT & T. Does this mean we can sit back and watch a Madigan vs. Link bruhaha in the near future. Last time, Link won and consumers lost. But this time, no consumers - just two power hungry dudes battling it out… should be fun!

Comment by Annie Friday, May 16, 08 @ 12:04 pm
Seems to me that Madigan may be getting pressure from his members for funding increases. Interesting that this also seems this as an opportunity for Madigan to (again) stick it to the governor with a tax increase the Governor has been against.

Comment by FlackerBacker Friday, May 16, 08 @ 12:06 pm
Maybe Halvorson should look at some of the money her and her mentor Emil Jones keep wasting at Chicago State. Or maybe that money the state wasted putting blagos name all over the toll roads, maybe the money the state is wasting on lawyers from refusing to release FBI subpeonas there are lots of places the state could have saved money. How about cutting the budget for Blagos air travel back and forth from springfield to chicago.

Comment by fed up Friday, May 16, 08 @ 1:18 pm
Maybe we can get crews from our minimum security lockups or county jails to patrol the highways for debris and roadkill. A little venison stew would be a tasty addition instead of the bologna sandwiches.

Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, May 16, 08 @ 1:42 pm
Hope they find some funds soon for the roadkill. A trip into town this morning revealed three dead deer, a raccoon, a possum, a dead cat and another something that was too mangled to id. A huge crow lunching on the no-id. Totally digusting. Now I get to dodge bikers who are dodging roadkill. Such is the life of the country girl. Is not there a health issue in here somewhere?

Comment by Princeville Friday, May 16, 08 @ 2:13 pm