Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
3:11 PM
Negotiation. An art would you say? I would. Not to be taken lightly, especially when we're talking about the fiscal cliff. One item is the negotiations within the the two parties. If something slips out, it takes much discipline to keep from taking the bait. I said discipline. Put that with the U.S. House of Representatives and ..... well, you get it.
So there are external and internal negotiations. The internal conflicts have to be remedied. As far as the stories go, the Republicans are having more internal strife. That's what is reported anyway. The Democrats have internal problems too, but I doubt if they are getting reported.
Majorities have to be persuaded. Flexibility has to be present. Goals are diverse. Agreements can fall apart. Complication.
Link to the source story from TIME Ideas.
So there are external and internal negotiations. The internal conflicts have to be remedied. As far as the stories go, the Republicans are having more internal strife. That's what is reported anyway. The Democrats have internal problems too, but I doubt if they are getting reported.
Majorities have to be persuaded. Flexibility has to be present. Goals are diverse. Agreements can fall apart. Complication.
Link to the source story from TIME Ideas.
1:16 PM
France has announced new tax hikes on the rich and on businesses. Sound familiar? Anyway, France wants to stay at the core of the euro zone. The budget package will recoup 30 billion euros for the French government. This is the toughest budget in 30 years. Of the 30 billion in savings, 20 billion will come from households and companies.
To learn more read the Reuters story.
Could this happen in the United States? There seems to be a "more like Europe" movement in United States government. Congress broke for recess with a plethora of unfinished business. The consensus is that they don't want to grapple with the big issues. President Obama sends that message too.
I do have to give France credit. They are at least making an attempt. Will this kind of fiscal policy happen here at home? Oh I suppose we had better wait until the election is over.
To learn more read the Reuters story.
Could this happen in the United States? There seems to be a "more like Europe" movement in United States government. Congress broke for recess with a plethora of unfinished business. The consensus is that they don't want to grapple with the big issues. President Obama sends that message too.
I do have to give France credit. They are at least making an attempt. Will this kind of fiscal policy happen here at home? Oh I suppose we had better wait until the election is over.
1:33 PM
On the 23rd I released my state investment bank initiative to the press. The SIB would originally be funded by a $10 billion bond issue. That $10 billion is the amount that the lottery would be leased for.
I propose that the bond issue be used to pay for the $1.5 billion needed to receive the $6 billion from the Federal Government for highway and bridge improvements. $250,000,000 would be used to pay for the bond issue, $1.5 billion to pay back the teachers pension, $2,000,000,000 to pay the Medicaid bills still on the books and $400,000,000 to pay the maintenance for two years on the $20 billion debt previously issued to the State.
This would leave $4.35 billion left to pay for the tax credits issued to businesses for job creation. This would also free up appropriations previously in the budget to perhaps start new programs in the economic development area.
I know it is risky in this economic climate and I am concerned about a total $30 billion bond debt for Illinois if this goes through. The main objective is not to squander the money. The SIB would help monitor this bond issue more closely.
If elected I will pursue this initiative in hopes that Illinois can create jobs and help the budget crisis.
I propose that the bond issue be used to pay for the $1.5 billion needed to receive the $6 billion from the Federal Government for highway and bridge improvements. $250,000,000 would be used to pay for the bond issue, $1.5 billion to pay back the teachers pension, $2,000,000,000 to pay the Medicaid bills still on the books and $400,000,000 to pay the maintenance for two years on the $20 billion debt previously issued to the State.
This would leave $4.35 billion left to pay for the tax credits issued to businesses for job creation. This would also free up appropriations previously in the budget to perhaps start new programs in the economic development area.
I know it is risky in this economic climate and I am concerned about a total $30 billion bond debt for Illinois if this goes through. The main objective is not to squander the money. The SIB would help monitor this bond issue more closely.
If elected I will pursue this initiative in hopes that Illinois can create jobs and help the budget crisis.
12:44 PM
I've been in public service for just over 13 1/2 years as an elected public official. I am a state constitutional officer since the local government section of the state constitution states that a county shall have at least three officers: the county clerk, the county treasurer and the county sheriff. I come to the courthouse as a public servant to serve.
Do I make mistakes? Yes. Hopefully my mistakes aren't too big to handle and when I do make a mistake I first admit it to myself and then tell someone about it and then I go on to correct what I've done wrong. Simple enough. I've been fortunate enough that I haven't made too many of the same mistakes twice. Good for me and good for the people I serve. I don't get too many compliments, but I'm not in public service for those..I am in public service to help people and to fix their problems. Have I always been successful helping people? No, but that doesn't mean that I didn't try.
Why am I writing about this? Because I read something today that really bothered me. The entry in the Capital Fax Blog for today frankly made me ashamed that we have those in the roles of leadership in the legislative and executive branches of government that don't have the people at heart. After all they are in the role of public servants too. They were elected to help people, but with their current attitudes they give the impression that they only care about themselves and are using the people that need state funding to their own advantage.
Is this merely coincidence, or is this evidence that one-party rule is not working in Illinois? Why then did State Senate President Emil Jones demand a pay raise and Senator Mike Jacobs say that he deserves a pay raise and he is worth every penny? Are they truly getting the job done or is this an example of one-party rule?
On a personal note, I don't know if I deserve what I am paid. I like to think that I earn what I am paid, but I am not the judge of that, the taxpayers are. As a a taxpayer ask if the state legislature and the governor are earning what they make. Do they really deserve a raise in light of the problems they helped to create?
Mr. Blagojevich, Madigan and Jones need to admit to themselves that they made a mistake.
They then need to tell each other that they made a mistake, and when they are done they need to tell the citizens of Illinois they made a mistake. That would enable them to get back to work and balance a budget, or in other words, correct a mistake. I propose the legislature get back in session on August 5th to hammer out the budget problems and allow for enough revenue streams to balance the budget. I want them to show some leadership and get the job done. According to Rich Miller, Illinois used to be a rough and tumble get the job done state, but no longer. Is there enough leadership in the one-party rule Democrat Party to see this through? I doubt it.
Do I make mistakes? Yes. Hopefully my mistakes aren't too big to handle and when I do make a mistake I first admit it to myself and then tell someone about it and then I go on to correct what I've done wrong. Simple enough. I've been fortunate enough that I haven't made too many of the same mistakes twice. Good for me and good for the people I serve. I don't get too many compliments, but I'm not in public service for those..I am in public service to help people and to fix their problems. Have I always been successful helping people? No, but that doesn't mean that I didn't try.
Why am I writing about this? Because I read something today that really bothered me. The entry in the Capital Fax Blog for today frankly made me ashamed that we have those in the roles of leadership in the legislative and executive branches of government that don't have the people at heart. After all they are in the role of public servants too. They were elected to help people, but with their current attitudes they give the impression that they only care about themselves and are using the people that need state funding to their own advantage.
Is this merely coincidence, or is this evidence that one-party rule is not working in Illinois? Why then did State Senate President Emil Jones demand a pay raise and Senator Mike Jacobs say that he deserves a pay raise and he is worth every penny? Are they truly getting the job done or is this an example of one-party rule?
On a personal note, I don't know if I deserve what I am paid. I like to think that I earn what I am paid, but I am not the judge of that, the taxpayers are. As a a taxpayer ask if the state legislature and the governor are earning what they make. Do they really deserve a raise in light of the problems they helped to create?
Mr. Blagojevich, Madigan and Jones need to admit to themselves that they made a mistake.
They then need to tell each other that they made a mistake, and when they are done they need to tell the citizens of Illinois they made a mistake. That would enable them to get back to work and balance a budget, or in other words, correct a mistake. I propose the legislature get back in session on August 5th to hammer out the budget problems and allow for enough revenue streams to balance the budget. I want them to show some leadership and get the job done. According to Rich Miller, Illinois used to be a rough and tumble get the job done state, but no longer. Is there enough leadership in the one-party rule Democrat Party to see this through? I doubt it.
12:17 PM
While at the Rock Island County Fair on the 17th, I took time out to look at the exhibits. Several caught my eye and I was glad to talk to folks about the campaign. The theme has not changed....we need change.
They are not satisfied. For your info, Illinois, California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania did not have budgets in by the start of their fiscal years as of July 8, 2008. This could now be different....but NOT for Illinois. Still NO finalized budget and with that, the shutdown of State government is a real possibility. But the pay raise the state Senate wouldn't reject is still a go!
I support legislation requiring the State Comptroller to release the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) within six months after the close of the fiscal year. The deadline for that would be December 31. That would be ready for the state legislature's new session which begins around the 10th of January. This info is crucial when considering the new fiscal year budget. As it stands now, the report is released generally one year after the close of the fiscal year.
The situation now is not suitable to good legislative fiscal management. Simply put, the House and Senate do not have enough information going into the new fiscal year budget process, and when they do receive information, they don't have enough time to discern it.
This seems simple enough, but we need to get back to basics so Illinois can function properly once again. Is the legislative pay raise deserved? I'll let you be the judge. But Illinois' taxpayers deserve better from their legislators and timelier fiscal information is one way to make that happen.
9:28 AM
Thank goodness there are scorekeepers! The House yesterday had there work cut out for them.
The main pattern: this blog entry title. Reduction overrides require a simple majority, line-item overrides require a three-fifths majority. Here's a run-down:
The main pattern: this blog entry title. Reduction overrides require a simple majority, line-item overrides require a three-fifths majority. Here's a run-down:
- House failed to override the line-item veto of millions of dollars of drug treatment programs
- House did restore $43 million in drug treatment program reductions
- House failed to override the line-item veto of school construction grants
- Higher education money worth tens of millions of dollars failed (MAP grant increases included)
- House failed to allow the Governor from moving $185 million of Medicaid payments for prescription drugs, transportation, home health, medical appliances, hospice care and labs to FY2010 (starts July 1, 2009)
12:23 PM
The House did not do much yesterday but planned veto overrides today. THAT'S WHERE HOUSE REPUBLICANS COME INTO PLAY. The Dems need the GOP's help to restore some of the deeper cuts. House Democrats hope to restore funding to social service providers and put put pressure on the Senate to return to Springfield to and restore the cuts later this month.
story in the State Journal Register
story in the State Journal Register
6:10 AM
The Illinois Federation of Teachers has sent a letter to State Senate President Emil Jones requesting that he bring the state senate back in session to override the vetoes made by the Governor.
Their letter spells out the cuts and one item in particular is the cut of matching funds to capture federal dollars for higher education.
Their letter spells out the cuts and one item in particular is the cut of matching funds to capture federal dollars for higher education.
8:41 AM
The House goes back in session to hopefully finalize the FY2009 budget, but if the House puts back some of the cuts, State Senate President Emil Jones says he won't go along.
The cuts could hit the Robert Young Center, with about $500,000 at stake. According to a Quad City Times article, The Douglas Park Place women's recovery center is the most threatened.
The Governor vetoed just over $11 million dollars in specific social services programs.
The cuts could hit the Robert Young Center, with about $500,000 at stake. According to a Quad City Times article, The Douglas Park Place women's recovery center is the most threatened.
The Governor vetoed just over $11 million dollars in specific social services programs.
10:25 AM
The Agenda for Action to be introduced by House Republican Leader Tom Cross on July 15th is crucial to get Illinois back to fiscal stability. An area I have especially taken interest in is the single, updated, searchable database website accessible to the public at no cost that includes each entity that receives Illinois funding.
This is closely related to my 7th performance measure: create a data and research agenda. First, my goal in this area is identify what Illinois needs. The Agenda for Action plan would identify where your taxpayer dollars are going. You could find out where your money was going. But if we had helpful specifics first, legislators would appropriate your money more wisely. That's where my performance measures come in.
Legislators have to hear from you and if we also have timely information from the state agencies, we can then know if you have been better served. I see this proactive role making state government more efficient. We have to cut down on the waste and the Agenda for Action along with my performance measures will do just that!
This is closely related to my 7th performance measure: create a data and research agenda. First, my goal in this area is identify what Illinois needs. The Agenda for Action plan would identify where your taxpayer dollars are going. You could find out where your money was going. But if we had helpful specifics first, legislators would appropriate your money more wisely. That's where my performance measures come in.
Legislators have to hear from you and if we also have timely information from the state agencies, we can then know if you have been better served. I see this proactive role making state government more efficient. We have to cut down on the waste and the Agenda for Action along with my performance measures will do just that!
6:06 AM
The State House of Representatives will be back in session on Tuesday the 15th to vote on the massive budget cuts made this week. The special session should last three days. On Wednesday night the House defeated plans to borrow more money to pay down the pension debt and to sweep more special funds. The proposed budget cuts amount to 1.4 billion dollars, and the House will have to vote on those cuts.
5:53 AM
Governor Blagojevich cut the budget to balance it, but kept the pay raises intact. With those increases, his salary goes from $170,917 to $184,035. A spokesman for the Governor referenced state statute for his decision. In 2003 Governor Blagojevich vetoed raises.
Tom Cross, House Republican leader mentioned that the idea of a pay raise is "mind-boggling" in this economic climate.
Tom Cross, House Republican leader mentioned that the idea of a pay raise is "mind-boggling" in this economic climate.
9:52 AM
Thursday evening was a great time in Orion. The festivities started at St. Paul's Lutheran Church where they were serving up some great food. The lighted parade started at dark and what a gathering! I had quite a time meeting many people and sharing some candy with some fantastic kids. I saw an "old friend" along the way. He is Adam Browning from Andover, who is quite a parade goer since he was at the Colona Memorial Day Weekend Parade on May 25.
On a serious note, Adam represents our future and we can't leave that behind or saddle his generation with more unmanageable debt. But that is precisely happening with Illinois government today. A pension liability worth $44 billion and unpaid Medicaid bills worth $1.7 billion. Legislators go back in special session July 9 & 10 to hammer out the unbalanced budget and perhaps bring forth a capital works plan.
Can lawmakers find compromise to solve these pressing problems? If they don't, state government could shut down. I'll keep you posted!
9:18 AM
The Associated Press did an analysis on the cost of this special session coming up. Legislators will collectively travel 60,000 miles at 50.5 cents a mile. Legislators receive $129 per day for lodging and meals. Add in the cost of aircraft expenses, the total will top just over $80,000.
1:10 PM
Lawmakers will be back in Springfield next week to talk about the budget. But what is it all about? The Bond Buyer, a publication about public finance has an article that explains the situation very well. Here's a breakdown:
- The Senate approved a series of revenue-generating measures when they signed off on the spending plan.
- The House approved the spending side of the package, but DID NOT vote on a $16 billion pension obligation bond issue, the transfer of various funds and a CAPITAL BUDGET that combined would have trimmed the deficit by more than a $1 billion.
- The Governor has called on the House to approve the ILLINOIS WORKS capital budget that would free up about $320 million in the operating budget and the transfer of $530 million from various non-general fund accounts.
- House Speaker Mike Madigan's spokesman said there's not sufficient support for the various measures to win passage.
- Without a budget, State Comptroller Dan Hynes has warned that bill payment could be delayed along with employee paychecks.
- The proposed CAPITAL BUDGET relies on about $7 billion from a partial leasing of the State Lottery, $800 million in upfront funds from the issuance of new gambling licenses, $7.8 billion in new general obligation borrowing and local and federal matching dollars.
- About $6.2 billion of the bonding would be repaid with recurring gambling expansion revenues and $1.6 billion from transportation-related taxes and fees.
- The pension borrowing plan has been dropped by the Governor due to lack of support.
- The current unfunded pension laibility is $42 billion.
- On Wednesday the 2nd, Moody's Investment Service issued a special report which monitors four states - California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania - that have entered new fiscal years without a budget in place.
- The timing of state budget enactment can affect the ratings Moody's assigns to state issued general obligation bonds and other debt.
9:02 AM
Governor Blagojevich has decided to call state legislators back in session for July 9th and 10th. The topic will be the out-of-balance budget. The new state fiscal year began on July 1st, and no new budget. Governor Blagojevich is calling on lawmakers to pass a $600 million construction revenue plan and to allow "fund sweeps", the term used so that accounts with cash can be used for the general fund. There is about $3 billion out there. The state senate has already passed the revenue measures. The Governor has said the House leadership was stalling.
According to House Speaker Mike Madigan's office, support most likely will be luke warm at best, just like in May. Madigan has ruled out tax increases.
technorati: politics
According to House Speaker Mike Madigan's office, support most likely will be luke warm at best, just like in May. Madigan has ruled out tax increases.
technorati: politics
8:03 AM
The Henry County Fair is off and running! I was there again on Thursday and met another great group of folks. Their big concerns is fixing state government with NO NEW TAXES! I understand that message and heard it loud and clear. The picture above is myself and State representative Don Moffitt. I talked to Don about the budget and asked about the revenue streams proposed to balance it. He said those revenues won't have the backing of the House Republicans and most likely the state legislature will be called back into special session. I'll keep you posted!In talking with farmers, they told me their crops look "pretty good" and that the rains could hold off. Last night we got more rain along with some wind.
9:24 AM
I went to the Henry County Fair in Cambridge yesterday evening. I met many people and they sure were friendly. The fairgrounds were really in good shape. The Republican booth was very well attended. State Representative Don Moffitt was there along with Terry Patton, Henry County State's Attorney, Rich VerHeecke, Henry County Treasurer and Dave Doebbels, Henry County GOP Chairman.
I'm planning on going again this evening. This time I'm going to see some of the exhibits. The support for our county fairs starts in our own communities.
The folks I talked to are in tune to what is going on with our state government. They are concerned about the future, as am I. We all are. The financial issues have to be addressed and we need to keep taxes flat for job growth and expansion. The budget clock is ticking, obviously, however Illinois needs new PRIVATE SECTOR jobs now! The services industry needs new customers, but that's tough with more and more jobs leaving Illinois.
Solutions are needed and needed now! Stay tuned!
I'm planning on going again this evening. This time I'm going to see some of the exhibits. The support for our county fairs starts in our own communities.
The folks I talked to are in tune to what is going on with our state government. They are concerned about the future, as am I. We all are. The financial issues have to be addressed and we need to keep taxes flat for job growth and expansion. The budget clock is ticking, obviously, however Illinois needs new PRIVATE SECTOR jobs now! The services industry needs new customers, but that's tough with more and more jobs leaving Illinois.
Solutions are needed and needed now! Stay tuned!
9:26 AM
I am a bit late in getting this out......but what a great time in Cordova on June 20th! Rich and Betsy Morthland did a superb job in organizing this event. The folks were excellent and I met many concerned citizens that want a change in state government.
I talked about the current state of affairs with the budget crisis. The situation is not good with several state agencies unable to function because of a lack of money. We need to address these problems and bring Illinois back to a "functioning" public entity. When road repairs are suspended due to a lack of money, obviously something is wrong.
Several cuts have been proposed if the State House of Representatives does not approve more revenue for the state budget. But we must address some other issues first. I included my call for a major, independent auditing firm to go through the state's books and look for fraud and waste. Also the proposed budget needs to get to the legislative branch sooner and a three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate before a tax increase can go to the Governor.
We frankly need to get back to basics. The pension meltdown continues and the unpaid Medicaid bills are piling up. The need for spending cuts is here so that these problems can be addressed and that we can move on to fix the other problems.
The leadership role I would assume if elected is simple: keep a vote on a BALANCED BUDGET alive. Don't sit idly by and allow revenue projections to be too high. That's why the FY08 budget is out of tune....revenue projections were too high!
The message is resonating and the people are listening!
I talked about the current state of affairs with the budget crisis. The situation is not good with several state agencies unable to function because of a lack of money. We need to address these problems and bring Illinois back to a "functioning" public entity. When road repairs are suspended due to a lack of money, obviously something is wrong.
Several cuts have been proposed if the State House of Representatives does not approve more revenue for the state budget. But we must address some other issues first. I included my call for a major, independent auditing firm to go through the state's books and look for fraud and waste. Also the proposed budget needs to get to the legislative branch sooner and a three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate before a tax increase can go to the Governor.
We frankly need to get back to basics. The pension meltdown continues and the unpaid Medicaid bills are piling up. The need for spending cuts is here so that these problems can be addressed and that we can move on to fix the other problems.
The leadership role I would assume if elected is simple: keep a vote on a BALANCED BUDGET alive. Don't sit idly by and allow revenue projections to be too high. That's why the FY08 budget is out of tune....revenue projections were too high!
The message is resonating and the people are listening!
8:46 AM
As it stands, revenue is still needed. If that can't be found, cuts will have to be made.
These cuts include:
These cuts include:
- Reductions in staffing
- Increased workload for DCFS employees
- 110 million dollar reduction in education spending
- Nearly a 260 million dollar reduction in social services
- 257 million dollar reduction in economic development and transit
- More than 600 million dollars in health care reductions
- 106 million dollar reductions for Seniors and Veterans
- Illinois Works
- Fund transfers
- Pension restructuring