Source: Illinois Statehouse News | By Benjamin Yount | Sept 8, 2011
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday delivered, what he called, phase two of his plan to "manage the state budget."
Quinn's plan would close seven state facilities and lay off more than 1,900 workers. The governor laid the blame for the closures and jobs cuts at the feet of the General Assembly and the Legislature's $33.2 billion budget for fiscal 2012.
The governor made numerous claims, most notably, that the budget limits his ability to spend state money.
Illinois Statehouse News consulted lawmakers, former government officials and advocates to check the truth behind Quinn's claims.
—
Quinn claim: "We clearly do not have enough money in the budget that was appropriated, by the Legislature, to pay the personnel and facility costs of a number of our facilities and people who work for the state of Illinois."
Truth: "The short answer is yes, that's true," said state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley. Mautino helped write the $33.2 billion budget in the House this year. He said the budget approved by lawmakers assumed state services would be cut. Mautino said lawmakers tried to "mitigate" the severity of those cuts by delaying Medicaid payments to providers of mental health services and services for those with developmental disabilities. A longer payment cycle was supposed to shield Illinois' vulnerable population from drastic cuts.
Mautino is quick to say, however, that as austere as the House budget is, Quinn's budget proposal was lacking as well.
"The governor's budget was based on a borrowing plan of $8.75 billion. That borrowing plan never occurred; you don't have that money available," said Mautino. "The House budget was based on what monies that we reasonably expected to have in."
Quinn's proposed budget was $34.6 billion.
—
Quinn claim: "Managing the budget is something you have to do on a daily basis. And you cannot spend money that is not appropriated by the General Assembly."
Truth: Quinn is correct on both accounts. Money comes into the Capitol in spurts, as taxes are collected or as federal funds are released, for example. That requires management.
But Mike Lawrence, a former statehouse journalist and press secretary for former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar, said management also means being involved in the crafting of the budget.
Quinn "waited until the General Assembly sent him the budget to start indicating that the budget sent to him would have draconian consequences," said Lawrence. "He entered the process too late, in my opinion."
State Rep. Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale, said Quinn got this budget, in part, because of the limitations he placed on lawmakers.
"We could not change what the governor promised before the election, in that he was not going to close any institutions or lay anyone off," Bellock said. "We just had to deal with the balance budget and making sure that we do not spend more than the revenues we take in."
The governor also is correct that he cannot spend money that has not been approved, or appropriated by the General Assembly. Quinn lost his ability to spend as he saw fit, his ability to move money between state agencies. Quinn, like all previous governors can still move 2 percent of a state agency's budget only within that agency.
This leads to the next claim.
—
Quinn claim: "In previous years, the past two, the General Assembly (approved) lump sum budgets. They basically did not want to make any cuts. They told me several times: 'You the governor make the cuts.' This year the General Assembly wanted to do it a different way. They wanted a line-item budget."
Truth: Quinn is not the only governor to be handed a lump sum budget. Mautino said former governors George Ryan, a Republican, and Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, also were given most of the responsibility to spend the state's money. Mautino said Illinois' disastrous financial situation forced a change.
"In this budget, since a lot of very hard choices were made, that extraordinary power of transfer was not given," said Mautino.
Lawrence points out that past governors used transfer power to delay Medicaid and pension payments, and that helped create Illinois' multi-billion dollar deficit.
"The problems are so large that that kind of maneuvering is not going to work," Lawrence said.
The state House produced a line-item budget after weeks of legislative hearings and closed-door meetings. Mautino said the $33.2 billion budget price tag came as a result of that long process and hard work.
Quinn is blasting the legislative line-item budget now. But in April, the governor said he wanted lawmakers to take the lead.
“I actually like the fact that legislators are, line item by line item, going through the budget. My first two years, I was told they didn’t want to do that; they didn’t want to make cuts. They wanted the governor to make all the cuts,” said Quinn.
—
Quinn said he is "willing to work" with lawmakers during the fall veto session to avoid the closings and layoffs.
The General Assembly is due here Oct 25.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawmakers pan Quinn proposal
By Benjamin Yount | Illinois Statehouse News September 8, 2011
SPRINGFIELD — The closest Illinois lawmakers will come to agreeing with Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to close seven state facilities and layoff nearly 2,000 workers is an acknowledgement that state government could be trimmed.
But few, if any legislators here, are supporting the plan Quinn outlined Thursday afternoon.
The governor wants to shutter:
◦Tinley Park in Tinley Park;
◦Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford;
◦Chester Mental Health Center in Chester;
◦Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon;
◦Jacksonville Developmental Center in Jacksonville;
◦Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln;
◦Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro.
In all, 1,938 state employees will be laid off.
But Quinn said he has no choice.
"We clearly do not have enough money in the budget, that was appropriated by the Legislature in the spring, to pay the personnel and facility costs of a number of facilities and people who work for the state of Illinois," the governor said.
Lawmakers see things differently.
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, who lost to Quinn in the 2010 gubernatorial race, said Quinn is targeting GOP lawmakers and Illinois residents with severe disabilities.
"He's attacking six out of seven facilities that are in Republican districts; he's holding some of the most vulnerable citizens of our state hostage," Brady said.
The Logan Correction Center in Lincoln will be a part of the district Brady is to represent under Illinois' new political map. State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, currently represents the area.
Brady, who ran on a platform of cutting state spending, said Quinn is cutting from the wrong areas.
"Had he done the hard work and systemically dealt with state spending, reforming the Medicaid system or reforming the State Board of Education where real savings could take place, we wouldn't have to see these antics," Brady said "
State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said even though many of the to-be-closed sites fall in GOP areas, Democratic and Republican lawmakers will fight the governor's plans.
"When you're talking about the closure of five (mental health and developmental) centers, there is a local impact regardless of where you're from," said Mautino.
Two facilities on the governor's closing list are inside the district of state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. The southern Illinois senator said workers at the Chester Mental Health Center and the youth camp in Murphysboro are being terrorized for nothing.
"I really think (Quinn's) main goal is to force legislators to give him the money he thinks he needs," Luechtefeld said.
Luechtefeld is quick to say it will be "months before something will happen" to these two facilities.
But state Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, said, "I'm tired of dealing with chief executives who can't lead, that think that they lead with threats and by toying with people's lives."
The developmental center in Jacksonville is in the heart of Watson's district and he expressed concern for families whose relatives are being served at that center.
But Luechtefeld said legislative leaders, including House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, both Democrats from Chicago, will decide what is to become of Quinn's closings, not the rank and file.
Cullerton's office issued a statement Thursday that highlights the closure process.
"There is a clear process to be followed in proposing any facility closings and initiating layoffs. The Senate President is confident that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability will conduct a thorough review of the governor's proposals," said the statement.
Quinn said it would be January at the earliest before a facility can close or workers will be laid off.
Illinois Statehouse News consulted lawmakers, former government officials and advocates to check the truth behind Quinn's claims.
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday delivered, what he called, phase two of his plan to "manage the state budget."
Quinn's plan would close seven state facilities and lay off more than 1,900 workers. The governor laid the blame for the closures and jobs cuts at the feet of the General Assembly and the Legislature's $33.2 billion budget for fiscal 2012.
The governor made numerous claims, most notably, that the budget limits his ability to spend state money.
Illinois Statehouse News consulted lawmakers, former government officials and advocates to check the truth behind Quinn's claims.
—
Quinn claim: "We clearly do not have enough money in the budget that was appropriated, by the Legislature, to pay the personnel and facility costs of a number of our facilities and people who work for the state of Illinois."
Truth: "The short answer is yes, that's true," said state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley. Mautino helped write the $33.2 billion budget in the House this year. He said the budget approved by lawmakers assumed state services would be cut. Mautino said lawmakers tried to "mitigate" the severity of those cuts by delaying Medicaid payments to providers of mental health services and services for those with developmental disabilities. A longer payment cycle was supposed to shield Illinois' vulnerable population from drastic cuts.
Mautino is quick to say, however, that as austere as the House budget is, Quinn's budget proposal was lacking as well.
"The governor's budget was based on a borrowing plan of $8.75 billion. That borrowing plan never occurred; you don't have that money available," said Mautino. "The House budget was based on what monies that we reasonably expected to have in."
Quinn's proposed budget was $34.6 billion.
—
Quinn claim: "Managing the budget is something you have to do on a daily basis. And you cannot spend money that is not appropriated by the General Assembly."
Truth: Quinn is correct on both accounts. Money comes into the Capitol in spurts, as taxes are collected or as federal funds are released, for example. That requires management.
But Mike Lawrence, a former statehouse journalist and press secretary for former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar, said management also means being involved in the crafting of the budget.
Quinn "waited until the General Assembly sent him the budget to start indicating that the budget sent to him would have draconian consequences," said Lawrence. "He entered the process too late, in my opinion."
State Rep. Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale, said Quinn got this budget, in part, because of the limitations he placed on lawmakers.
"We could not change what the governor promised before the election, in that he was not going to close any institutions or lay anyone off," Bellock said. "We just had to deal with the balance budget and making sure that we do not spend more than the revenues we take in."
The governor also is correct that he cannot spend money that has not been approved, or appropriated by the General Assembly. Quinn lost his ability to spend as he saw fit, his ability to move money between state agencies. Quinn, like all previous governors can still move 2 percent of a state agency's budget only within that agency.
This leads to the next claim.
—
Quinn claim: "In previous years, the past two, the General Assembly (approved) lump sum budgets. They basically did not want to make any cuts. They told me several times: 'You the governor make the cuts.' This year the General Assembly wanted to do it a different way. They wanted a line-item budget."
Truth: Quinn is not the only governor to be handed a lump sum budget. Mautino said former governors George Ryan, a Republican, and Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, also were given most of the responsibility to spend the state's money. Mautino said Illinois' disastrous financial situation forced a change.
"In this budget, since a lot of very hard choices were made, that extraordinary power of transfer was not given," said Mautino.
Lawrence points out that past governors used transfer power to delay Medicaid and pension payments, and that helped create Illinois' multi-billion dollar deficit.
"The problems are so large that that kind of maneuvering is not going to work," Lawrence said.
The state House produced a line-item budget after weeks of legislative hearings and closed-door meetings. Mautino said the $33.2 billion budget price tag came as a result of that long process and hard work.
Quinn is blasting the legislative line-item budget now. But in April, the governor said he wanted lawmakers to take the lead.
“I actually like the fact that legislators are, line item by line item, going through the budget. My first two years, I was told they didn’t want to do that; they didn’t want to make cuts. They wanted the governor to make all the cuts,” said Quinn.
—
Quinn said he is "willing to work" with lawmakers during the fall veto session to avoid the closings and layoffs.
The General Assembly is due here Oct 25.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawmakers pan Quinn proposal
By Benjamin Yount | Illinois Statehouse News September 8, 2011
SPRINGFIELD — The closest Illinois lawmakers will come to agreeing with Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to close seven state facilities and layoff nearly 2,000 workers is an acknowledgement that state government could be trimmed.
But few, if any legislators here, are supporting the plan Quinn outlined Thursday afternoon.
The governor wants to shutter:
◦Tinley Park in Tinley Park;
◦Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford;
◦Chester Mental Health Center in Chester;
◦Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon;
◦Jacksonville Developmental Center in Jacksonville;
◦Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln;
◦Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro.
In all, 1,938 state employees will be laid off.
But Quinn said he has no choice.
"We clearly do not have enough money in the budget, that was appropriated by the Legislature in the spring, to pay the personnel and facility costs of a number of facilities and people who work for the state of Illinois," the governor said.
Lawmakers see things differently.
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, who lost to Quinn in the 2010 gubernatorial race, said Quinn is targeting GOP lawmakers and Illinois residents with severe disabilities.
"He's attacking six out of seven facilities that are in Republican districts; he's holding some of the most vulnerable citizens of our state hostage," Brady said.
The Logan Correction Center in Lincoln will be a part of the district Brady is to represent under Illinois' new political map. State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, currently represents the area.
Brady, who ran on a platform of cutting state spending, said Quinn is cutting from the wrong areas.
"Had he done the hard work and systemically dealt with state spending, reforming the Medicaid system or reforming the State Board of Education where real savings could take place, we wouldn't have to see these antics," Brady said "
State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said even though many of the to-be-closed sites fall in GOP areas, Democratic and Republican lawmakers will fight the governor's plans.
"When you're talking about the closure of five (mental health and developmental) centers, there is a local impact regardless of where you're from," said Mautino.
Two facilities on the governor's closing list are inside the district of state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. The southern Illinois senator said workers at the Chester Mental Health Center and the youth camp in Murphysboro are being terrorized for nothing.
"I really think (Quinn's) main goal is to force legislators to give him the money he thinks he needs," Luechtefeld said.
Luechtefeld is quick to say it will be "months before something will happen" to these two facilities.
But state Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, said, "I'm tired of dealing with chief executives who can't lead, that think that they lead with threats and by toying with people's lives."
The developmental center in Jacksonville is in the heart of Watson's district and he expressed concern for families whose relatives are being served at that center.
But Luechtefeld said legislative leaders, including House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, both Democrats from Chicago, will decide what is to become of Quinn's closings, not the rank and file.
Cullerton's office issued a statement Thursday that highlights the closure process.
"There is a clear process to be followed in proposing any facility closings and initiating layoffs. The Senate President is confident that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability will conduct a thorough review of the governor's proposals," said the statement.
Quinn said it would be January at the earliest before a facility can close or workers will be laid off.
Illinois Statehouse News consulted lawmakers, former government officials and advocates to check the truth behind Quinn's claims.
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