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Moffitt: Something, if Not Full Budget, Should be Passed by July 1
A local lawmaker who's now back in Springfield for more special sessions says he doesn't necessarily think the budget stalemate will be solved by the time the new fiscal year begins on Wednesday, but he does think something will happen.

74th District State Representative Don Moffitt says he'd like to see, at the very least, a one-month budget passed this week, that will keep state operations and funding as normal until a long-term budget solution can be figured out.

Moffitt tells WGIL he's hoping that a restructuring of the state's pension and bond debt could result in less interest payments the state has to make, leaving for more state dollars being available for other purposes.

"Instead of a 50% budget that's been talked about, or that's been referred to as a 'doomsday budget,' (pension restructuring) could get us up to 70% or more, which would be a big improvement" Moffitt said. "So, is it the final answer? No. Is it a completed process? Probably not, but it could keep agencies open, keep them functioning, and we could continue to work on this."

Moffitt says he knows that groups like social service agencies that are facing the potential ill effects of a so-called "doomsday" budget are still concerned, but he says if there's a message for them, it's that lawmakers are going to keep working toward a solution.

The Gilson Republican says if the agencies were to close, that doesn't mean the need for those services will go away.


(State Rep. Don Moffitt. File Photo)
06 29 09 by Newsroom
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