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Senate Budget Talks Not as Smooth as House
(IRN)-While the Illinois House is putting on a bi-partisan smile, there is not even the pretense of cooperation across the rotunda. The House and Senate are working on separate budgets, which would then move to an amendment or conference committee phase.

One of the appropriations chairmen, State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) said, "We have specific cuts … and specific budgets. You're going to see significant reductions and cost savings so that we have a balanced budget."

A Republican with budgeting responsibilities, State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) responds: "What you've offered in this particular bill is an increase in spending. What you offer in totality is an increase in spending."

Republicans went on to criticize Democrats for amending the plans on the floor without a committee hearing. Democrats say the Republicans have offered no legislation, just news releases.

At one point Republicans suggested Democrats were trying to trick lawmakers into voting to increase their own pay. That particular bill is the only part of the budget proposals in either chamber which hasn't reached a vote.

The Senate and House are working with different revenue estimates, with the Senate's $1 billion more generous in the general revenue fund. The governor has a budget bigger than either one of the chambers.

The deadline to pass a budget with a simple majority is May 31.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
05 14 11 by Newsroom
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