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* Tribune…
Deputy Gov. Andy Manar, Pritzker’s budget point person, earlier this month issued a memo to state agency heads advising them to identify possible budget cuts, writing “opposition” to the governor’s revenue proposals was “significant enough.” The memo implied that if the legislature doesn’t pull together support for Pritzker’s revenue plans, state program spending could be on the chopping block.
“The Governor will not sign an unbalanced budget. Therefore, we must prepare to implement a potential balanced budget scenario with $800 million less in available revenue,” Manar wrote. “While we do not know which specific programs would be impacted should the General Assembly choose to not pass the revenue package, we think it is prudent to prepare for the possibility.” […]
State Rep. Will Guzzardi, who is a part of a House Democrats’ working group on budgetary matters, downplayed the level of opposition against the governor’s proposal cited in Manar’s memo.
“I think ‘opposition’ is too strong a word from what I’ve been hearing from my colleagues. Some of these ideas are new to some of my colleagues,” said Guzzardi, of Chicago. “There’s some education that folks need to do.”
* Andy Manar was on Jak Tichenor’s program late last week…
We were just simply putting agencies on notice that, while the governor proposed what we think was a solid budget back in February, there may be some changes that are coming from the legislature, and those things take time to implement. So I have no doubt this will come together in the coming week or two and we will again pass, now, our sixth balanced budget in a row.
* Charlie Wheeler brought up something that I pointed out to subscribers when Manar’s letter first went out. Agencies were advised to focus on cutting things like grants…
I think that was a message directed, as I said last week, not so much at the department heads as it was directed at the lawmakers. Because some of the programs, some of the most costly programs the state has, for example, the school funding formula that’s not going to be cut. … But grants are other things that are smaller sums individually. … Like a grant to a local park district to improve a playground, or a grant to local school to maybe buy some new equipment … Those are the kinds of things that lawmakers particularly enjoy, because when the ribbon is cut, ‘I’m the legislator, I’ll be there to cheer for the ribbon being cut. Now look you got this beautiful new facility. And of course, I helped get it for you.’
* The Question: How do you see this session playing out?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 20, 24 @ 1:59 pm
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Expect overtime passed 24th of May, Dems cut a budget deal within their caucus in House & Senate, 3K pages long budget bill distributed May 30, final votes May 31, spring session adjourns.
Comment by John Lopez Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:06 pm
I’m not sure you need to cut a budget when you’re missing 20% of the budgeted staff.
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:16 pm
As with all things revenue, I expect JBP to bumble around for a few weeks and then point out how powerless he is to convince anyone that what’s needed.
Comment by SWSider Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:19 pm
Both chambers adjourn Friday without a budget, both chambers return Tuesday after budget staffs put together an outline of a budget which is presented to both chambers as being “this is a good as it will get”. The outline is tweaked to make some changes then it passes with everyone home by Thursday AM.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:22 pm
Ah, remember the good old days when the GA just passed a massive budget amount and told the Governor to figure it out? I wonder if they’ll do that again.
Comment by Just Me 2 Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:26 pm
Posturing right now. Deal will get done. Right now it is Harmon vs. JB on negotiations. House will ultimately do what JB wants. Combination of cuts, revenue enhancements, Increased projections, and a little member initiative money.
Comment by Henry Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:26 pm
75% chance what John Lopez said. 25% chance what SWSider said. I don’t expect things to get too nasty either way. And the Republicans will have no involvement.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:28 pm
Guzzardi is very level-headed, and well-informed, (even if he is Progressive )
Comment by walker Monday, May 20, 24 @ 2:39 pm
Until the very moment the budget is passed (think it’ll be by May 31st) … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFSK0ogeg4
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, May 20, 24 @ 3:12 pm
How do I see the session playing out? Painfully. But I’d bet Give Me A Break is more right than wrong.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, May 20, 24 @ 3:20 pm
The Usual Suspects all doing their last-minute, “we have to pass it before we can read it” budget that hides cuts so that nobody is responsible come elections, then rushed to the Gov’s desk hoping he signs off on it quickly.
Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, May 20, 24 @ 3:52 pm