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| Risinger: Democrats Remain at Fault for Budget Mess |
Just when you thought a change in leadership in Springfield would bring new optimism that lawmakers would be able to get their work done on time, think again.
That's according to 37th District State Senator Dale Risinger, who says even though the state budget recently passed is still in dire shape, it could have been much better.
Risinger tells WGIL's "Galesburg Live" there was every chance for Democrats to pass exactly what Governor Pat Quinn wanted, but didn't.
"The budget is in such bad shape -- you know, there needs to be some new revenues added to the budget; so therefore, (Democrats) didn't want to make...the tax vote themselves," Risinger said.
Governor Pat Quinn called for a vast increase in state income taxes as a way to plug the budget hole. And while the Senate passed one much higher than that, it never reached the House. Risinger tells WGIL he's surprised the budget process is now into a sort-of overtime, given just how much power the Democrats wield.
"You would think (Democrats) would want to have this settled before the Republicans had any kind of say about it at all," Risinger said. "But they didn't get the job done. Most people are telling (me) that they want this budget solved, and they don't want to raise taxes at the same time."
The Peoria Republican says no matter what happens, it's a tough situation to be in. He says Governor Quinn should have known not to increase spending by $3 billion when there was already a billion dollar deficit, and revenues were projected to be flat.
WGIL's "Galesburg Live" airs Monday-Friday at 9:15am.
(State Senator Dale Risinger is interviewed on WGIL's "Galesburg Live" program Monday morning. WGIL News Story and Photo by Will Stevenson.) |
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| 06 08 09 by Newsroom |
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