Jones faults House for budget impasse
Much has been written in newspapers throughout the state regarding the governor's cuts to state's fiscal year 2009 budget and how they impact many vital programs.
I would like nothing better than to reconvene the Senate and restore funding to programs like the autism project and addiction treatment centers that help so many individuals, but unless the House passes a source of revenue to fund the programs they claim to support, restoring these cuts will be meaningless.
Not only did the Illinois Senate fully support the funding of these programs, we also provided sources of revenue to pay for the budget that was passed.
The Illinois House has had two opportunities to pass revenue to fund the budget they claim to support so strongly.
The first was at the end of May. The second was during special session in July.
The House chose not to consider the measures passed by the Senate, and they have also failed to offer any alternative revenue options to fund the budget.
In June, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, on behalf of the speaker, pointedly challenged the governor to take his red pen to the budget during our leaders' meetings.
Rep. Currie even brought the governor a red-ink pen to help the effort along.
The challenge, repeated so many times by both House Majority Leader Currie and Rep. Gary Hannig (House budget negotiator), was articulated as a directive to the governor to "manage the budget."
Yet once the governor did just that, the House's response was to vote to restore $480 million in program cuts - but again without providing the funding source.
The Illinois Senate took the tough votes on revenue in May and is still ready and willing to consider all revenue options the House chooses to send to us.
Once revenue is in place, the Senate is ready and willing to immediately consider restoration of funding to the fiscal year 2009 budget.
Restoration of the cuts without revenue is just another empty promise.
Emil Jones Jr.
Illinois Senate President
Chicago