Quinn Makes Budget Decision

Governor Quinn has officially put into place budget legislation passed by Democrats back in May.  The Governor issued a reduction veto of the overall spending plan, and signed into place a number of the other budget measures, including one giving him extraordinary power to borrow and manage revenue.

What remains to be seen is just what specifically the Governor has cut.  There were $1.4 billion in cuts passed within the budget signed by Quinn with the reduction veto containing about $150 million of those specific cuts.  What programs will be effected by all these cuts is still uncertain.  As the Governor said, “This is a day by day, case by case, agency by agency, program by program enterprise.”  That may be true, but the fact is that on July 1 this budget is law, and it represents the spending agenda for the state of Illinois over the next year.  People need to know what services are going to be available and those who administer the services need time to plan appropriately for any reductions.  The time for generalities has passed; the people of Illinois deserve some specific answers on just how we are going to erase a multi-billion budget deficit and an estimated $6 billion in unpaid bills. Continue reading »