Celebration may be in order

I could totally be wrong, but the most recent search I have done for budget news suggests that the governor has signed a budget.

Since I did not get paid today because there was not one, that is good news. Since I support so many beings, I am not the kind of girl who can wing it when she does not get paid. That and running three locations takes a toll on a girl's bottom line.

Please God, make it true--and while we are at it, I pray it does not cut public services so much it hurts someone

Here is an article that popped up as I was posting

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A state budget -- finally

Governor signs $26 billion plan that relies heavily on borrowing

By Ray Long and Rick Pearson |Tribune reporters

July 16, 2009

SPRINGFIELD -- After weeks of delay, Illinois finally got a budget Wednesday night as lawmakers asserted their power over an accidental governor they put in office, spurred by the potential for a government shutdown.

The $26 billion state spending plan that Gov. Pat Quinn quickly signed pushes tough decisions down the road by heavily relying on borrowing. It also gives the rookie Democratic governor the power to slice out billions of dollars, setting him up for the credit or blame for cuts that could include closing state facilities and laying off thousands of workers.

Ultimately, the new budget restores much of the social services money that had been on the chopping block for providers who care for the poor, elderly and disabled. And it allows lawmakers to delay a politically risky vote on an income-tax increase until early next year -- just weeks before the February primary election.

"We're doing this because we have to do it. But it's wrong to do it," said Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago). "The General Assembly will reconvene in January to address our need for additional revenue."

Quinn, who rose to the top spot in January after lawmakers ousted disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich, wanted but did not get an income-tax increase. Instead, he will cut $1 billion and keep another $1 billion in reserve -- decisions he will have to make a few months before he is likely to stand before Democratic primary voters.

The governor said he wants to have a "heart-to-heart" talk with union members to discuss $125 million in scheduled pay increases. Quinn also said he would "proceed with our plan" to lay off up to 2,600 state workers but emphasized that union negotiations could lead to scaled-back raises or unpaid days off in exchange for fewer layoffs. The budget also contains a dozen furlough days for lawmakers.

"Essentially by doing this, we have made him the king of Illinois," Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) said of the powers being handed to the Democratic governor.

Quinn credited the legislature for a budget that he said "moves the ball forward for the people of Illinois."

Approval came on the day paychecks for as many as 6,000 state workers had to be delayed because of a lack of state spending authority. Comptroller Dan Hynes' office said it was prepared to move quickly to issue paper checks now that Quinn's signature authorized the spending.

The delay in getting a state budget was a result of a test of wills between Quinn and the two veteran Chicago Democratic leaders of the legislature, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Cullerton.

Quinn, who spent a career battling the General Assembly as an outsider reform advocate, staked out a demand for a tax increase and threatened to withhold his signature on a job-creating public works bill he pushed. But he caved on both issues, taking a tax-increase plan off the table Friday and signing the construction bill Monday.

"I hope I learned a few things along the way," said Quinn, who added that his record was good enough to run on next year.

Though Cullerton's Senate Democrats approved an income-tax increase in the spring, Madigan's House Democrats never took it up and rejected a smaller tax increase. Madigan, who also is state Democratic chairman, has perceived that during a recession, an anti-incumbent, anti-tax mood may prevail in next year's elections.

Republicans, who watched seven years of one-party rule of Springfield under Blagojevich and now Quinn, had little impetus to back a tax increase as the GOP sought ways to regain its political relevance with voters.

"It avoids chaos. It avoids a tax increase," said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). "My constituents are saying, 'I can't pay more taxes.' "

The budget relies on $3.5 billion in borrowing to help pay state worker pensions. At the same time, the budget acknowledges that more than $3 billion in payments owed to various providers of state services will be carried over into the new budget year.

But the pension borrowing aspect frees up $2.2 billion to supplement social service providers. Another $1.3 billion for government operations also will be available for Quinn to use at his discretion.

Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) criticized the borrowing.

"We're on the brink of a man-made disaster," Franks said. "This is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. ... It's irresponsible and it's reckless."

rlong@tribune.com


Hey check out this phrase

The budget also contains a dozen furlough days for lawmakers.

Think they mean it? They have been quick to ask it of us, but this one might smite me dead out of disbelief