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TechnographLawmakers aim for budget deal in May, but hurdles remain
By Ryan Keith, The Associated Press
Posted: 5/21/08 Section: News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Democratic lawmakers hoping to avoid another long, hot summer at the Capitol say they're trying to put aside their differences and pass next year's budget by the end of May.
But with less than two weeks to go, many hurdles remain.
"Can we reconcile those differences in the next two weeks? That's the big challenge that lies ahead of us, and I'm hopeful that we can," said Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield.
House Speaker Michael Madigan has been tussling with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones since this time a year ago, when their feud devolved into a record-breaking overtime session that ended only when Madigan and Jones came to a budget agreement in mid-August.
And now, as the House and Senate prepare to move dozens of budget measures ahead this week, they're not on the same page.
The House is considering a variety of budget options, from a mostly "bare bones" version that would keep new spending at a minimum to a more expansive plan that includes more money for education, health care and other needs.
The Senate, meanwhile, is looking at a limited-spending version that relies on minimal growth in existing tax revenues.
The differences between the plans is important because state government faces a major cash crunch. The current year's state budget is $400 million to $750 million in the hole. That deficit will roll over into the next budget, making it more difficult to find new dollars.
Hannig hints the House could pass a budget with spending that exceeds revenues, and let the governor cut it down to the right size.
Blagojevich last year cut more than $450 million from the budget legislators passed - including money for House Democrats' pork projects. Trust by all involved in the budget process will be key to getting an agreement, in May or beyond.
Senate Democrats promise any budget that isn't streamlined won't survive and criticize the House's discussion of more spending.
But with less than two weeks to go, many hurdles remain.
"Can we reconcile those differences in the next two weeks? That's the big challenge that lies ahead of us, and I'm hopeful that we can," said Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield.
House Speaker Michael Madigan has been tussling with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones since this time a year ago, when their feud devolved into a record-breaking overtime session that ended only when Madigan and Jones came to a budget agreement in mid-August.
And now, as the House and Senate prepare to move dozens of budget measures ahead this week, they're not on the same page.
The House is considering a variety of budget options, from a mostly "bare bones" version that would keep new spending at a minimum to a more expansive plan that includes more money for education, health care and other needs.
The Senate, meanwhile, is looking at a limited-spending version that relies on minimal growth in existing tax revenues.
The differences between the plans is important because state government faces a major cash crunch. The current year's state budget is $400 million to $750 million in the hole. That deficit will roll over into the next budget, making it more difficult to find new dollars.
Hannig hints the House could pass a budget with spending that exceeds revenues, and let the governor cut it down to the right size.
Blagojevich last year cut more than $450 million from the budget legislators passed - including money for House Democrats' pork projects. Trust by all involved in the budget process will be key to getting an agreement, in May or beyond.
Senate Democrats promise any budget that isn't streamlined won't survive and criticize the House's discussion of more spending.
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