 Quinn defends
the agreement, which calls on AFSCME members to pay a
little more for benefits in exchange for a no-layoff pact, as a way
to save $50 million.But the deal could also hamstring the
governor, be it Quinn or his Republican opponent Bill Brady, or
lawmakers when it comes time to craft a new state budget next
spring.
Illinois' operating budget is close to $30 billion, but the state
does not have the freedom to spend that as leaders see fit. Most of
the state budget is earmarked for health care, education, social
services, or for paychecks and benefits for thousands of state
workers.
State Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, said guaranteeing many of those
workers a job just takes away more flexibility from budget planners.
"This certainly takes an option off the table. ... I know rank
and file (AFSCME) workers may like this, but it doesn't help the
state of Illinois get out of its problem," he said.
That problem is over $3 billion in unpaid bills and a deficit
that totals over $13 billion.
Reis adds that $50 million in savings won't do much to cut into
that debt.
But state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said budget
planners never have that much wiggle room. He points out that a good
chunk of Illinois money is already tied up, and any savings should
be welcomed.
"Schools and health care are by far the largest areas within the
budget. Personnel (costs) under the current contract, which this
governor did not negotiate -- this is a contract that he inherited.
This (deal) is probably his way to negotiate this year's and next
year's (pay and benefit) increases," said Mautino.
Mautino adds that those increases were budgeted to cost close to
$150 million next year.
Other lawmakers say that's still small potatoes compared with the
budget hole lawmakers will have to deal with.
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State Rep Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, said the state needs all of
the savings it can find, but $50 million in projected savings is not
going to spare schools and social services from massive cuts.
"We're going to have to start thinking on a much bigger scale to
address that $13 billion (deficit)," Watson said. "As long as we
keep talking about the small numbers -- not that $50 million is
small, but compared to $13 billion it is -- we're not going to get
there."
State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said lawmakers need to
realize that the small numbers can become big numbers. He said $50
million here and $50 million there could add up to real money.
"We do have a plan and we're tied to that plan," Jacobs said. "So
that extra money you can't just take and spend how you want. We only
have so much money, and a lot of that money is already spoken for.
And if anyone thinks there is leftover money that they're going to
dole out to somebody, I don't know where it's going to come from."
All the lawmakers agree that the timing of Quinn's deal, which
follows AFSCME's endorsement of the governor, doesn't look good.
State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said that appearance may do
just as much damage come budget time as any binding agreement.
"Everything that has been done (with) Quinn and his negotiating
the budget the last two years has been pretty much give away the
farm, do whatever it takes to get support and make everybody happy,"
said Syverson. "The problem is when you try and make everybody
happy, then everybody becomes unhappy."
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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