Gov. Bruce Rauner’s “State of the State” address Tuesday outlined new goals for the state to achieve in the coming year, but was notably lacking discussion regarding the ongoing budget impasse.
Rauner’s address focused primarily on getting the state competitive again, education reforms, state corrections reform, and pension reform. When it came to the elephant in the room, the budget impasse, Rauner had little to say.
“If each of us commits to serious negotiation based on mutual respect for our co-equal branches of government, there’s not a doubt in my mind we can come together to pass a balanced budget alongside reforms,” Rauner said. “If we work together, Illinois can be both compassionate and competitive.”
State Sen. Sam McCann said that he was not surprised the governor didn’t directly address the budget issues with his budget address fast approaching, but noted that the problem isn’t going away as the budget process for next year prepares to begin soon.
“We’re in our seventh full month I think, going into our eighth month,” McCann said. “It’s shameful. the people of Illinois deserve better and I think it’s obvious the governor didn’t want to talk about that today.”
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer placed the blame for a lack of a budget on house Democrats and House Speaker Michael Madigan.
“A year ago, the Speaker welcomed Republicans to the negotiating table for the first time in over a decade,” Davidsmeyer wrote in a release. “Unfortunately, for the last ten months the actions of his ruling party have proven contrary to that invitation by only offering the same ‘my way or the highway’ solutions with zero negotiations. That’s precisely what has put Illinois in this horrible position.”
Rauner said that he would like the state to consider changes to labor regulations, workers comp system, liability costs and property taxes in order to attract businesses and keep the state competitive with other states. One of the ways he proposed doing this was by reduce property tax burden by returning control to local governments and by fulfilling the items outlined in Lieutenant Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti’s consolidation report.
The governor also called for further transparency and reform within the government branches themselves through term limits and redistricting reform, something the President Barack Obama has called for in the past.
One large issue tackled by the governor was the outlining of an education agenda that would give more power to schools when it comes to bargaining, change the formula used to fund schools throughout the state so poorer downstate schools are properly funded, as well as the implementation of schools that would provide “cradle to career” support for students pursuing college or technical training later in life.
While McCann said that he does support a change in the school funding formula to something more fair and equitable, he said that the changes the governor would like to see would be difficult to implement without cooperation between state government branches.
“Until we can show the executive branch and the legislative branch, until we all prove we can work together and agree upon a budget, I don’t see how we could possibly advance something along the lines of what the governor spoke about,” McCann said.
Davidsmeyer said that he is ready to do whatever it takes to tackle the issues addressed by the governor.
“I pledge to work with any and all who want to fix the many issues that were outlined today,” Davidsmeyer wrote in a release. “My pledge is to be part of a solution that leads towards stability for all Illinoisans and away from the uncertainty that has been caused by a decade of unbalanced budgets.”’
For McCann, he said what he hopes that his colleagues and the governor left the address to return directly to work in the capital to start tackling these issues immediately.
“I would’ve liked to hear him say ‘I’m not going to stand up here and just talk the talk, I’m going to walk the walk,’” McCann said. “Let’s go back to our chambers and offices, hold committee hearings, let’s sit down and work on making a principled, compromised budget … the first rule in going to work is showing up for work. I’m here.”
