Moody's: Rauner's budget 'hard to implement'

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A top credit rating agency has called GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner's $32 billion budget proposal "hard to implement" because of likely Democratic opposition in the Illinois Legislature.

Moody's Investors Service issued a statement Tuesday saying many of Rauner's ideas are expected to "face strong opposition from Democrats" who control both legislative chambers.

Rauner last week proposed deep cuts to Medicaid, pensions and other programs to bridge a roughly $6 billion budget gap without raising taxes.

Moody's says the political landscape "may make it difficult to enact even a few key elements of the governor's proposal, much less the entire plan."

Rauner has in the past indicated he's open to broadening the sales tax base to increase revenues.