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Governor Crafts Budget Rescue Plan
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is out with a four-point plan he hopes will solve what he says is a $2 billion budget deficit this fiscal year. He wants the General Assembly to OK an Emergency Budget Act allowing him to hold back up to 8 percent of the general fund and of agencies he controls.

The Senate Republicans' budget negotiator, State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), is not impressed, saying the governor already has the authority to withhold money: "There is no need for legislative action," she says. "The governor is simply seeking cover from the General Assembly rather than telling us where he needs to cut."

The House Democratic budget czar, State Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Litchfield), agrees with Radogno that the governor already has the ability to make cuts: "He's done some of that, and I suspect he will want to do more," Hannig said.

The other three points: finding more ways to cut costs; asking Congress for $1 billion more dollars in each of the next three years; and some short-term borrowing to lighten the $4 billion backlog of unpaid bills.

Radogno says she would be all right with a short-term borrowing plan if the governor would agree to look at what she says is the real problem: too much flexibility in delaying bill-paying. She says the proposals to close state parks and historic sites simply don't go far enough in addressing the big picture.

(Illinois Radio Network)
11 18 08 by Newsroom
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