The university’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs new report
—“Apocalypse Now? The Consequences of Pay-Later Budgeting in Illinois” — says
the current budget year’s deficit is on track for $6 billion. It projects next
year’s budget shortfall will be $9 billion if nothing changes.
The report calls for “a combination of cuts in spending and increased revenue.
These will be politically difficult and unpopular, and implementing them will
require strong leadership and vision.”
But not everyone sees it that way.
State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, said he’ll be hard pressed to agree to a
tax increase of any type without first seeing every state agency examined and
spending of all types reconsidered.
“A couple of hundred million dollars here and there and, you know, it’s not long
before we’re talking about real money,” he said, echoing the late U.S. Senator
Everett Dirksen of Pekin.
Sosnowski said however well intentioned, state agencies and most programs could
be reduced without eliminating a safety net for the truly needy.
But short of change in the size and nature of Illinois government, “If you
continue to feed the beast, nothing is going to get better,” he said.
The university report says, “Illinois citizens must reduce their expectations
for the services that they can expect from government and be prepared to pay
more for government now and in the future.”
Newly elected Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has been preaching a message of
cutbacks, bettering the business climate and “shared sacrifice” to come.
Rauner spokesman Lance Trover told Illinois News Network, “Governor Rauner has
been saying for a long time that the budget is far worse than has been let on.
Governor [Pat] Quinn left the state in dire financial shape. It is clear that we
need to restructure state government if we are to get our state back on track
for the next generation. Failure to enact fundamental reforms would cause the
taxpayers to throw good money after bad and that can’t happen.
Democrats who control the legislature haven’t publicly tangled with Rauner but
instead point to two dates: Feb. 4 and Feb. 18, when Rauner is to present his
state of the state and budget addresses.
Some lawmakers are saying Rauner will have no choice but to make big cuts and
look for new revenue, also generally known as new or increased taxes.
[to top of second column] |
But not everyone is willing to concede the governor must call for
new or higher taxes. They want a stripped down state government and
budget reform they say will grow Illinois economy and ultimately be
fairer to taxpayers.
House Republican John Cabello of Machesney Park, said, “The
taxpayers are stretched as far as they can be stretched. Some are
being forced to choose between paying for medication or paying for
housing.”
He added, “It’s our job to not keep going back to them and say, ‘We
just need a little bit more, because that little bit more just keeps
growing and growing and growing.”
Rep. Ron Sandak, R-Downers Grove, is another voice calling for
leaner government. He said the General Assembly and governor have an
obligation to reduce the size and scope of state government.
Additionally, he said, Illinois needs a reduction in overly heavy
business regulation to encourage investment and job growth.
Only then, he said, can Springfield ask for more money.
“This is a slow turn-around,” Sandak said. “This is going to take
time.”
But it starts now, he added. “Tough votes are coming.”
Tough votes are coming, said a ranking Democrat who works on budget
issues. But he also said the advocates for hard cuts have a
difficult task.
Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said $9 of every $10 from the
general fund — essentially the state’s checkbook — are committed to
four areas: education, healthcare, human services and public safety.
“Nine out of every ten dollars are spoken for,” he said. “When you
look at debt reduction, paying down old bills, funding other
agencies, it becomes really, really difficult.”
[This
article courtesy of
Watchdog.]
Click here to respond to the editor about this article |
