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* From Elliot Regenstein, Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Policy, Ounce of Prevention Fund…
We are pleased to see the partial restoration of cuts previously made to the State Board of Education’s early childhood education funding in [yesterday’s] FY16 HB3763 spending bill. [Yesterday]’s action is a step forward, but there are still significant challenges that must be addressed urgently.
First, these critical education programs are only one of the supports young children and families need. For children to be ready for school, they need stable housing, nutrition and healthcare, as do their parents. For that reason, we strongly oppose any cuts in health, social service and education programs that would directly impact vulnerable children and families and their communities. In particular, we are concerned about threatened changes to the child care program, which is a key component of the early learning system and faces cuts that would be devastating to parents and providers. Many of these essential services and programs are already running at lower-than-needed levels, having seen cuts over the past several years.
Uncertainty about the budget is a serious threat to providers, and many will be forced to scale back or close their doors if a budget is not passed soon – and if that happens it may take months or years to build back resources that are lost in the next few weeks.
Second, the state still does not have a complete budget agreement that includes sustainable revenue, and until it does we cannot be sure that vulnerable children and families will have the supports they need.
Even in this time of budget uncertainty, early childhood investments are one of the strongest our state can make. Research has proven repeatedly that early childhood education can narrow the achievement gap and reduce future spending on crime, child welfare and remedial education services.
To prevent crippling delays or losses of vital services, we urge Governor Rauner and the General Assembly to work together to enact a budget that truly supports our youngest children and their families by July 1.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - CPS update
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That’s a swell recommendation, coming on June 25.
There was an obvious need for new revenue when the governor proposed his budget last February.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Wonder if the Chief of Staff she has, paid for by the state concurs?
Wonder if Ounce will call these the Rauner Cuts?
It’s her husband choosing and all…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 12:58 pm
Perhaps Lance will make a statement calling Ounce of Prevention part of the corrupt bargain.
Comment by Tournaround Agenda Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Not helpful for the governor or the process. I hate it. If the governor actually comes to an agreement in which there is more revenue, he will appear to be emasculated. And yes, where were they four months ago?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:02 pm
There seems to be a disconnect from a liberal group that Mrs. Rauner supports and what Rauner and other conservative groups supposedly want to do.
It’s called money and the state has $billions in unpaid bills let alone expanding new programs.
There will have to be some big losers in this game in order to balance the budget.
I know that Rauner has advocated a 30% GRF cut in public universities.
Anybody else know what agencies are being targeted
for cuts like this?
Comment by Federalist Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:06 pm
Cue the twitter for Trover’s slam of this ‘Sham’ effort to divert attention away from Madigan.
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:08 pm
Rauner appointed this guy as head of the state’s data system a few months ago. Wonder if he will reverse that now?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:08 pm
From the DHS websites of grant awardees:
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=72169
Services for Awards of Excellence Support Services Awardees:
The Center for Resources and Learning
The Ounce of Prevention Fund
Illinois Action for Children
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=72168
Services for Preschool Instructional Excellence Announcement:
The Ounce of Prevention Fund
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:37 pm
“If the governor actually comes to an agreement in which there is more revenue, he will appear to be emasculated.” Really Ducky? What century are we living in? Luckily, we have to keep it clean here, or I’m sure you’d have used a term that starts with “p” and ends with whipped! I for one am thrilled that the fact that the head of the Ounce is married to the Governor doesn’t “emasculate” them. Of course they have an independent position, and should be able to state it. They have a long history of strong advocacy for children.
Comment by anonymous Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Little Birdie News Service reports that the Gov and Mrs. Gov have had many heated discussions over revenue needed for social programs. Little Birdie hears that the Gov keeps telling Mrs. Gov that he’ll support revenue enhancement, but he wants some facing measure to protect his ego. Mrs. Gov certainly understands the Gov’s ego.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:46 pm
@anonymous 1:39
When your spouse is essentially asking for a tax hike, and you are slamming the other party for wanting a tax hike, and you eventually give in to a tax hike, how would that not appear to make you less effective? I am sorry if you don’t like the term emasculated. But when you act like an alpha male, I will treat you like an alpha male.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 1:49 pm
- Norseman -,
Man, I gotta get me on that lil birdie news service.
Until then, your updates are very much appreciated.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 2:06 pm
To be fair… http://www.theounce.org/media/statement-illinois-fy16-budget
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 2:26 pm
Soccermom-
That is what Rich posted above. What is there to be fair about? Just asking for clarification. No snark.
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 2:46 pm
Thanks Soccermom. It’s good to know this isn’t a sudden revelation being used for politicking.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 2:46 pm
My bad- I didn’t look at the date!
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 2:49 pm
Anon221 — no, I posted their statement from February.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 2:50 pm
I remember Elliot from his Blago days, a completely honorable, bright guy (no snark). But as a highly compensated NFP employee, is he the right guy to be opining on budget stuff? Do folks in the Gov’s camp ever, ever consider the optics on what they are putting out there?
Comment by Columbo Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 3:11 pm
People in government have shown themselves incapable of self-control on spending or on making smart cuts.
Therefore, the only workable solution is across-the-board cuts. They are not the smartest, but at least the pain is shared equally. And don’t tell me every person and group cannot be s,after about spending. In fact, the cleaver brings out the creativity.
There will be no additional sustainable revenue. Not unless you want to drive every taxpayer and businessperson out of state.
Comment by Johnny Inkslinger Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 3:31 pm
==Not unless you want to drive every taxpayer and businessperson out of state.==
Oh please.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 4:12 pm
==Therefore, the only workable solution is across-the-board cuts. ==
That’s actually the least workable solution.
==They are not the smartest,==
Focus on that statement.
==And don’t tell me every person and group cannot be s,after about spending.==
Ok. I won’t tell you that. It doesn’t make it any less true though. Go tell one of those non-profits who operates on a shoestring budget to provide services that they have room to make cuts.
Both cuts AND revenue are necessary. Anybody that believes otherwise flunked math.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 4:16 pm
@- Johnny Inkslinger - Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 3:31 pm: “Therefore, the only workable solution is across-the-board cuts.”
Ahhhhh yes, the most intellectually lazy concept in budgeting.
Next post, Johnny, tell us about how you and the missus sit around the table debating the family budget, and how that’s relevant to State spending.
Let me guess, there will be plenty of ‘belt tightening’ and other nonsense right?
I love that across the board game. Try it at home. “Well Mr. Bank, I’m having a bit of a revenue issue this month, so we’ve opted to reduce all expense across the board. I’m just going to send in 90% of my mortgage payment”.
Kids, with a 33% cut in meal budgets we’re going to skip lunch for the next month. Every day.
Yeah, I like simple solutions. They make me feel warm and cozy.
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 4:20 pm
Isn’t he HB3673 supposed to be for the back wages owed to state employees from 3 or 4 years ago?
Comment by Confused Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 9:14 pm
Sorry 3763
Comment by Confused Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 9:26 pm