 Quinn waited until late Thursday night, the last day of the fiscal
year, to sign the 23 pieces of legislation that make up the new
spending plan.But the governor did not just sign the budget sent
to him by lawmakers. Instead, he used his amendatory veto powers to
change the budget.
Quinn said in a statement that he "reprioritized" the budget.
"I discovered and eliminated double appropriations by more than
$336 million. Next, I reduced bureaucracy costs by more than $11
million," Quinn said in a statement.
Most of Quinn's $336 million in cuts comes from trimming of $276
million from Medicaid.
Lawmakers said they wanted to avoid cutting the amount the
state's Medicaid providers would be paid. Instead, the General
Assembly stretched out the payment cycle to more than 100 days.
Quinn did not explain how his cut would be implemented.
School districts also are taking a hit in the budget Quinn
signed. The governor has ordered a nearly $90 million trim for
school buses statewide and eliminated another $11 million for
regional superintendents. The governor had targeted superintendents,
but the General Assembly had hoped to spare them.
The Illinois Constitution gives the governor strong power to
shape the state budget, but he cannot increase it. He can only cut
or amend, under the amendatory veto power.
Quinn has said for weeks that he would like to spend more on
education and human services. That may require more money.
Illinois lawmakers now will have to act on Quinn's reductions and
line-item vetoes. The General Assembly is due back in October for
the fall veto session.
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Democrats in the General Assembly have said they are open to
Quinn's goal to spend more on schools and human services.
But Republicans, particularly in the Illinois Senate, are not
enthusiastic about calls for more spending.
"I find it astonishing that after a $7 billion tax increase, the
Democrats are basing this budget on pushing $1 billion in bills into
next year," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale.
Dillard said that instead of spending more, lawmakers should cut
more than they did with the new budget, but he doubts that will
happen.
"The spending contained in this budget guarantees that the tax
increase that Gov. Quinn promised was temporary, will become
permanent," Dillard said.
Illinois' new fiscal year begins Friday. Quinn signed the 2012
budget to avoid a state government shutdown.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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