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Murphy: Cut schools $1.4 billion; Quinn: Make schools give tax relief

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* This probably won’t happen. Minority parties have the advantage of just shooting down proposals by the majority. When they put forth their own detailed ideas, then they open themselves up to criticism. And I highly doubt they’ll find many votes in the SGOP caucus for $1.4 billion in cuts to schools…

Republican Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine argues the GOP’s Senate minority should consider coming up with its own alternative to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn’s spending plan if it wants to be able to legitimately argue that state government doesn’t need a tax increase.

“I will be honest. I have suggested that (an alternative budget) be done. I don’t know if we’re going to get there or not,” said Murphy, who defended the role of a Senate GOP panel that he co-chaired in proposing $3.4 billion in budget cuts largely involving Medicaid restructuring. […]

[Murphy] also said state aid to schools could be cut another $1.4 billion to its budget level of two years ago. […]

“Personally, I would put (a Senate GOP budget) side by side (with Quinn’s) and say, ‘You know what? This is our vision. This is our way out and we’re willing to say this and we’re willing to put our neck out,’” Murphy said. “Personally, I don’t know what we have to lose that we haven’t already lost, in all candor.”

Voters hate tax increases No doubt. They also love government funding for things like schools. What the Republicans would “lose” is votes in the suburbs.

* Meanwhile, the governor’s plan to give schools just $200 million more next fiscal year and then demand that they provide property tax relief with that relatively small pile of cash ain’t gonna go over well out there…

Gov. Pat Quinn said Friday he was open to proposals for property tax relief to take the sting out of his plan for an income tax hike.

Quinn said on WBBM-AM 780’s At Issue radio program, which airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., that he would consider forcing school districts that receive more state funding to in turn provide a break on local property taxes. […]

Quinn was vague about the details of any property tax relief, instead saying that could be worked out with legislative leaders.

You can listen to the whole thing by clicking here.

* And Attorney General Lisa Madigan is still down on Quinn’s tax hike…

Under questioning from reporters, Lisa Madigan said she hasn’t discussed Quinn’s budget with her father. But she did offer some criticism over Quinn’s proposal to increase the state’s income-tax rate from 3 percent to 4.5 percent and triple the current $2,000 personal exemption — a move Quinn says will cut taxes for 5 million middle- to lower-income Illinoisans. […]

“It is very, very difficult to ask people to give the state more money when families themselves are struggling and they’ve seen a reduction in their family incomes,” Madigan said. “It’s just that simple.”

* Related…

* Less money, more demand for government aid

* States Slashing Social Programs for Vulnerable

* More On a Modest Proposal: Eliminate Townships for Real Savings

* Quinn’s courageous tax stand a start

* Illinois not so taxing?

* More States Look to Raise Taxes

* Plenty of New State Taxes

* Lawmakers look to raise cigarette tax again

* How hard can the state squeeze smokers?

* Fewer smokers, more state revenue

* Voters weigh in, lawmakers fret over looming tax hike

* Gubernatorial hopefuls slam income tax hike

* Schillerstrom organizes ‘Tax Day Speakout’

* Bernard Schoenburg: Policy institute has new top staffer

* Downturn creates state spending ‘czars’

* State police to move out of facility south of Springfield

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 5:52 am

Comments

Matt Murphy, being a relatively new senator has not yet learned you can’t say things like that out loud, lest you get jeered.

Take a play from the Lisa Madigan playbook. She says what people want to hear and does not get jeered.

Lisa Madigan doesn’t lose votes.

Comment by Leroy Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 7:34 am
If Quinn was for property tax relief why didn’t he propose it as part of his original plan. After all, tax swap type proposals have been out there for decades. There must be a hundred of them mouldering away in various state government offices. Maybe he’s holding it back as a bargaining chip but his vague comments now make him look unprepared. And yet we are told that he is, at least compared with many predecessors, a state policy wonk. He sure doesn’t sound like it.
Maybe he should prep with some old Bill Clinton tapes. Now there was a policy wonk who could talk.

Anyway, this week, on the budget/tax hike: Lisa 1
Quinn -0.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 8:30 am
“People” don’t love government funding for things like schools…people employed by schools love government funding for things like schools. Big distinction. “The people,” by and large, are put off by the bureaucracy of the education system and its ineptitude, and unlike the wonks who dwell in their own distorted realities, know throwing more money at them does nothing to make them more effective institutions. In times like these, there should be no sacred cows. Cut away, and cut deep!

Comment by enrico depressario Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 8:58 am
I give Murphy credit for putting cuts on the table. Others, including Lisa M., should step up with their ideas as well. Let’s have the debate.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 9:23 am
Wordslinger, you said exactly what I was getting ready to say. It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines, it takes honesty and fortitude to come up with your own ideas, popular or not. The problem is the ironic political reality that the public often rewards those on the sidelines while punishing those individuals who dare do what they were elected to do.

Comment by Rep. John Fritchey Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 9:47 am
Well, I don’t know. I am not necessarily a champion of Lisa’s potential candidacy but she is not running for governor at this point, as she has frequently stated. And if she came up with a detailed alternative budget, wouldn’t she be accused of overstepping? On the other hand, must she remain mute? She is a Democratic leader by virtue of her current job as well as, sigh, by
family ties as well. We Illinoisians love our
political dynasties.

The people who aren’t doing the work they could legitimately be doing here are the Republicans. Surely they must have dozens of staffers sitting around who are competent to put together an alternative budget that makes sense. So, let’s see it.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 9:55 am
Fritchey -

If I understand your post correctly, you are saying Republican Senator Matt Murphy is correct in stating that schools may be an appropriate target for budget cuts.

Will you say so more directly in a more formal public political forum?

Comment by Leroy Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 10:10 am
Leroy,

Not what I said whatsoever. What I said was that I give him credit for doing more than just saying no to a tax hike without proposing any alternatives.

In fact, I have long said that I would support a hike if it was coupled with other significant reforms, especially in the area of property taxes. I have backed my position up by being a Chief Sponsor of HB750 for many years now.

Comment by Rep. John Fritchey Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 10:17 am
Fritchey is not endorsing a position, he’s suggesting that “leaders” taking potshots from the sidelines are not helping the situation. Tangible proposals are helpful.

I think Quinn should stop trying to take the sting out of proposed tax increases. If there is no sting, there probably won’t be a significant increase in revenue. The state is beyond broke and has been spending beyond it’s means for years. Any proposal that puts us on track to be in the black is going to hurt.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 10:19 am
Quinn’s budget is as bad or worse than anything Blagojevich or Filan has ever proposed. He raises income taxes 50% and then gives 60% of the money back to people with a lot of dependents. Now, he wants school districts to also provide property tax relief. The Octomom would make out really well under his plan. His plan balances the budget by stealing still more revenue from the state pension plans and spending revenue from estimated future savings today.
Murphy’s plan proposes cuts in education and health care that over 2/3rds of Illinois citizens oppose.
Neither plan addresses the inherent inequities in the way the state funds schools or the massive medicaid and pension debt already racked up by the state.
Instead of trying to find ways for Illinois to remain a deadbeat state, politicians should make the really tough decisions necessary to solve the structural deficit, pay our bills on time, and still provide adequate services to our citizens.
HB 750, with some modifications, is a good start.
Unfortunately, not all legislators have Fritchey’s
courage and insight.

Comment by Bill Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 10:33 am
You could drastically improve schools without raising a penny by one swift, bold move: spread out the summer vacation period over the course of a year. The amount of brain power wasted in remedial study time each fall is truly an obscenity and one reason that globalization progresses, other nations are going to keep soaking up skilled labor jobs.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 10:36 am
Once a big supporter of Lisa, now I’m finding her to be more and more irratating - and irresponsible. Ms. Madigan, if there are cuts to be made that would close the deficit, kindly detail them in public. Otherwise, stop with the silly pot-shots against people who are actually trying to get the job done.

Comment by phocion Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 10:39 am
You know, that balanced budget thing in the constitution… It isn’t just a suggestion.

My suit against Hynes for this years budget may get sandbagged until the clock runs out. If the ILGA tries to pass another one, I’ll be in court next day to enjoin the thing preemptively. The gravy train of spending money we don’t have is over. You want to spend? At least have the fortitude to ask for the taxes to fund it.

Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 11:02 am
I emailed St. Sen. Murphy and asked him to run for state treasurer. Since he’s talking about the state budget, he’s probably considering my suggestion.

Comment by ConservativeVeteran Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 11:32 am
I sit stunned and breathless.

I agree with Bill.

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 11:36 am
No pain, no gain.

We aren’t getting out of the budget mess without some sting. And, it’s not like we don’t benefit from the services. We just haven’t had anyone willing to ask us to pay the full price.

That’s why I’m disappointed with Lisa Madigan’s sniping. She sounds like Rod! If she’s not running for governor, there is no reason for her to say anything. If she is running for Gov, a plan of some sort would be nice.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 12:56 pm
The “township” issue-are they talking about townships or township road districts? Two separate units of local governments, although the Highway Commissioner is a township official- before you give the township roads to the County, you might want to ask the County Engineers-the many that I have talked to want nothing to do with the idea-they all say that regardless of perceived cost savings, services WILL decline. Personally I’m not worried-99% certain that I will be hired by the county-somebody still needs to do the work, probably for a higher salary.

Comment by Downstate Commissioner Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 1:46 pm
enrico depressario, your claim is contradicted by every poll I’ve ever seen in this state.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 1:46 pm
Of course there is a reason for Lisa to say something. This budget produced by Quinn is ridiculous.It raises taxes, solves none of the financial problems facing our state, and is punitive to people without dependents, state employees, etc..
Every citizen in Illinois, including and especially, elected officials should be up in arms. If anything like the Quinn budget passes there will be plenty of citizens joining Madigan in complaining. By then it will be too late.

Comment by Bill Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 1:53 pm
Downstate Commissioner-

Certain states like Virginia give responsibility for nearly all rural roads (including what would be considered to be “local” highways in IL) to the state. Of course, Virginia DOT has about 2500 more employees than Illinois DOT, in a state with a little more than half the population.

I’ll bet the county engineers would love that proposition.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 2:30 pm
Bill: If Lisa Madigan were complaining that the Quinn tax plan did not provide enough revenue, I’d say more power to her. Instead, she implies a tax cut is not necessary because not enough cuts have been made (she should know there is no way to cut the state out of it’s hole) and that it would hurt working people (without mentioning that those same people will suffer even more as the deficit hole grows).

Yes, she should speak up. But to perpetuate the Blagojevic line of no tax increases needed is irresponsible. I seem to recall loud complaints when her office’s budget was cut last fall. Is the AG’s office the only one that is fiscally responsible and needs no cutting?

==”Before we even consider an income tax increase, we, as leaders in state government, have to show the people of the state of Illinois that we’re cutting back the state budget, that we’re using their money responsibly, that we are going to find savings,” Madigan said.==

I think this has already been done. It could always be said that some agency is not spending some of its money in the best possible way, but to use that as an excuse to do nothing on the revenue side is not what I expect from responsible state leadership.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 3:02 pm
Yes we can cut from the budget. We can be frugal with our costs of Education, but that will gore some serious oxen. Well managed school choice can lower costs per students while leaving more money per student within the local systems. School Districts have been profilgate in their expenditures with the unions getting the equivalent of sweetheart contracts without any increase in efficiency or effectiveness.

Comment by Truthful James Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 3:33 pm
There are 49 other state models out there to look at…why reinvent the wheel? New York just legislated a “millionaires tax” which should be looked at in Illinois. It is temporary, ie only 3 years, and raises the state tax paid by individuals (NOT business) progressively as the amount over the $1M in income per year goes up. So for example in Illinois if the state income tax rate is 3% for regular folks, those netting $1M to $2M per year may pay 3.5%…, those netting 2.1M to 3M may pay 4% , and so on. It seems like a good time for those who can afford and benefited from the last 8 years can step up for a few years and help set the state up to be financially functional….and after all, they have the highest probability of gaining the most from a functionaly Illinois economy.

Comment by disgusted Monday, Apr 13, 09 @ 7:26 pm
disgusted, are you not aware of our state constitution’s wording on taxation? I suggest you read it before proposing law changes like that. Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:42 am