 But it could also be one of the most controversial and most
resisted.Quinn has targeted some of the soil and water offices
across the state to be closed or consolidated, but which ones is not
yet known. David Vaught, Quinn’s budget chief, said that with more
than $5 billion in unpaid bills, the state cannot afford to operate
some 100 Soil and Water Conservation offices across Illinois.
"Our focus in Soil and Water Conservation districts has to be on
keeping pollutants out of the waterways," Vaught said. "And we could
use a regional approach for the administration of those programs
that spends less on administration."
The Soil and Water Conservation districts do precisely what the
name suggests. Local offices work with landowners and local
governments to protect open space and farmland, as well as watershed
resources.
But, perhaps more importantly, Soil and Water Conservation
districts capture millions of dollars in federal money. Some
estimates put the return rate for state support close to 13-to-1,
meaning that the $600,000 cut in Quinn's budget could cost much
more.
State Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, said Illinois likely
wouldn't lose every federal dollar for soil and water conservation.
But he is quick to point out that the state needs every dollar it
can find.
"The Soil and Water Conservation districts saw a reduction again
this year," Sullivan said. "They've seen a reduction for the past
several years, and it's going to have a real impact on each of the
different counties and the work that they do."
Sullivan said he's concerned enough to want to talk with the
Quinn administration about the cuts. And he won't be alone. The
Illinois Farm Bureau, the state's biggest farm group, already is
saying that it will make soil and water conservation cuts a top
priority when thousands of farmers come to Springfield next month.
[to top of second column] |
Philip Nelson, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, said former
Gov. Rod Blagojevich looked at similar cuts and had his mind
changed.
"Our goal is to basically sit down with the governor and have him
explain to us what he has proposed and what he plans to get out of
this," Nelson said. "We know from past experiences, when governors
have proposed some of these items, (they) haven't taken into account
some of the consequences long-term."
Nelson is not ready to condemn Quinn's planned cuts, or the rest
of the new state budget, but he's not signing on to anything either.
Nelson said many farmers and the state's agribusiness community
are pleased to hear new talk of soybeans being sold to China and
another phase of road, bridge and school construction. But there are
still not enough answers about the new budget.
"It came up a little short," he said. "We have concerns. How are
you going to pay for these initiatives that he's laying out there?"
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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