Still looking for budget cooperation

You have to give politicians in Springfield credit. Seriously. Whether Republican or Democrat, they’re making the kind of public statements these days that show they’re at least listening to public cries for budget cutting. And, they’re actually doing serious work weeks in advance and somewhat out in the open, in contrast to the usual practice of slipping through thousands of pages of spending plans only a couple of hours ahead of the budget deadline.

But even as these welcome conversations get under way, they bring with them strong political undertones that suggest more interest in blame and credit than in substantive discussion about “the hard issues” — to use a phrase rapidly becoming a political cliché — of what needs to be cut and how much.

It should be noted at the outset that Senate Republicans have indeed offered up a slate of cuts they’re willing to support. And Senate Democrats have put at least $1 billion in cuts on the table and promise they’re open to more. But from each party’s Twitter declarations and news releases, you’d think the other has no interest in seriously discussing responsible spending.

It scares us to think both parties may be right, and from the early tone, especially in the Senate, it’s hard to escape that conclusion.

So, while we appreciate the early action under way in the Senate and the bipartisan discussions taking place in committee in the House, we can’t help crying out for still more. For the future of the state, it is critical that political budget makers pursue a new approach to leadership.

The posturing of the past week demonstrates a gratifying recognition that state spending must be brought under control, but steeped in disingenuous hyperbole, it is stained by the lingering aroma of traditional confrontational politics. The fact is, as Senate Democrats point out, that Republicans have not yet put any of their vaunted proposals — including the suggestion criticized by the Daily Herald of cuts in income tax distributions to local communities — into actionable legislation. But the fact also is, as Republicans note, that Democrat proposals are based on the Quinn spending plan, not comparisons to existing spending, and so far they’ve targeted comparatively minuscule amounts and programs.

In other words, both parties are open to question about their motives. What they most need to remember is that the voters are not reading their tweets and news releases. The voters don’t care about the political game of Credit and Blame that dominates state politics. The voters blame both parties for the problems that exist and expect both parties to work together to solve them.

So, we all acknowledge their new openness, and we hear their words about responsible spending. But we’re not yet seeing that cooperation that everyone talks about. There’ll be plenty of time in 2012 for the public to sort out blame and credit for whatever is done to get Illinois’ budget back on track. For now, let’s end the politicking and focus on the cutting.