Democrats start moving stopgap state budget despite clear hurdles
Illinois House Democrats on Wednesday advanced a plan to rush more than $815 million to state universities and social service providers, but that money might not arrive anytime soon because Gov. Bruce Rauner criticized the proposal and Senate Democrats still are working on their own plan.
Despite the political hurdles, supporters said they wanted to press ahead, contending that colleges and groups who care for the state's most vulnerable people are in desperate need of a "lifeline." A previous stopgap state budget expired at the beginning of the year as Illinois gets closer to going two years without a full spending plan in place.
"I want to do everything that's in my power to help these people," said Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat and key budget negotiator. "Is it going to solve the entire budget problem? No. But we have an opportunity to send three quarters of a billion dollars out into the state of Illinois to help people who have been suffering."
Under the measure, two specialized state accounts set aside for higher education and social service programs would be tapped to help relieve immediate financial pressure. Those funds are separate from the state's main checking account, and their money comes through a small portion of income tax revenues.
Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-budget-stopgap-met-20170405-story.html
ETA:
Democratic stopgap budget inches ahead, but a full plan remains elusive
House Democrats on Thursday approved another one-time spending plan to provide about $815 million to universities and social service groups left gasping for air during the state's historic budget impasse, but leaders in both parties could hold it up as they push for a more complete spending plan.
Republicans led by Gov. Bruce Rauner oppose the measure, contending lawmakers should instead focus on cutting a more comprehensive deal. And while that effort has proved unsuccessful for the last two years, Democrats in the Senate also are pushing for a broader agreement, saying they are sick of temporary spending plans that only relieve pressure for a short time.
Still, House supporters pressed on Thursday, eager to say they did something before heading home Friday for a two-week spring break.
Sponsoring Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, ticked off a series of reasons why his colleagues should support the bill during a speech on the House floor. He cited a recent survey from the United Way of Illinois that detailed widespread cuts to groups that provide mental health, violence prevention and job training programs. He listed layoffs and unpaid furloughs at universities, saying the state's higher education system has already suffered permanent damage.
Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-house-stopgap-budget-met-20170406-story.html
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