In the News

Daily Herald Blog, June 223, 2009

Suburban Republicans and Democrats alike appear a bit mystified as to exactly why Gov. Pat Quinn has ordered them back to the Capitol to come up with a budget fixing tax hike before the end of the month when so many key issues lie unresolved in the governor's hands.

For instance, lawmakers aren't keen on increasing taxes to wipe out a good chunk -- but not all -- of the budget deficit without knowing where the axe will fall.

“It’s like voting on a budget blindfolded where you cross your fingers and hope that everything turns out well,” said state Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, who voted against higher taxes last month and remains opposed.

"The governor's office has to work with the legislators to make sure we are all on the same page as to what those cuts means, at what level those cuts will be made at and over what period of time. So far that hasn’t happened," Garrett said. "It would be irresponsible for me to vote for a tax increase without knowing what would be cut."

State Rep. Suzie Bassi, a Palatine Republican, said Republicans want their issues addressed before they even talk about putting votes on a tax increase.

"I can’t vote for anyting until there are some reforms and restrictions on runaway spending. I will not until I see that happen. And I don’t see that as an unreasonable position," Bassi said. "Do I sound frustrated? I’m so frustrated I can barely see straight. This is the worst I’ve ever seen it. And that is just so disappointing expecially with the house cleaning with the impeachment process.”

Republican state Rep. Tim Schmitz of Batavia expressed similar sentiments to a budget strategy that, in his view, has so far consisted of the governor saying "giving us the money and we'll tell you how we're going to spend it."

He doesn't think Quinn will start cutting off not-for-profit groups that get state funding to care and provide for the developmentally disabled, addicted and homebound seniors.

“You know they’re not gong to do that, but you do know some cuts are going to need to be made,” Schmitz said. "Show us some sign that you are serious about changing our spending habits. It’s like Groundhog Day."

State Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr., a Mundelein Republican, echoed the sentiment.

"This governor has not introcuded a spending proposal, he just wants a tax increase first," Sullivan said. "We’ve said from day one, bring us to the table, let's work on a budget that reduces the size of government. Until he wants to structurally change government I don’t think you’ll see too many people vote for a tax increase and I’m certainly not going to vote for a tax increase."

Republicans -- and some Democrats -- want "fundamental" changes in how the state operates and spends money, saying this may be a one in a generation opportunity to fix and update a system that cranks along spending billions of dollars annually.

And for all the calls and emails from social service groups opposed to cuts, state Sen. Carol Pankau, an Itasca Republican, said she got the best perspective from a neighbor.

"He said, 'Carol until you can look me in the eye and tell me every dollar I’m sending to Springfield is being used efficiently, effectively and wisely, don’t ask me for more,'" Pankau said.