If the wheels of state government moved any slower, things would be going in reverse.
Although we’re fast-approaching four months without a budget in place — and that means no payments for most everything from lottery winners to municipalities’ shares of various tax payments — any real discussion about ending the rift won’t come for a few more weeks.
Although it would be silly to think the budget impasse hasn’t been a hot topic of talk any time two or more people get together in Springfield, the last time the key players formally broached the issue was in May. That, according to Reboot Illinois, was when Gov. Bruce Rauner, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and others last tried to reach some agreement.
We’ve seen how well that went.
Since then, while Illinois essentially crumbles from within, most of the real debate about the budget has been through he-said/he-said sound bites and partisan speeches.
At the end of last week, a letter from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform urged a little face-to-face time.
The group, saying the inaction “is unprecedented and unacceptable to Illinois voters,” offered to facilitate a meeting.
“After more than 100 days of this stalemate, the consequences have become clear. Illinois residents in serious need are unable to receive important government services and many non-profit organizations are unable to continue critically important work tied to state grants. Illinois’ state universities and community colleges may not be able to operate in the next semester of this academic year, leaving many students unable to graduate on time. The consequences are too great. We cannot let this situation continue,” the letter said.
Rauner apparently is on board and has sent a letter of his own to Madigan and Cullerton and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve met with each of you individually to try to move beyond this impasse. I believe it’s time for all of us to meet as a group,” Rauner wrote.
All but Madigan have agreed to meet, with the House speaker saying he wants more details about the agenda.
It’s unbelievable it has taken this long for there to be a concerted effort to find a compromise. What it boils down to is a tug-of-war between political parties over whether to allow the state to continue spending beyond its means — a pretty typical way of doing business for decades now — or to accept Rauner’s sometimes-Draconian cuts to avoid a budget that calls for $34.5 billion in spending but only $32.1 billion in revenue.
What should have happened is that the governor and legislative leaders locked themselves away on day one of the new fiscal year and didn’t emerge until — in a Thunderdome-style victory — there was a solution.
Nov. 18, the date being floated for the budget meeting, is better than nothing, but it’s hard to be overly optimistic about there being any resolution. The two sides remain far apart and are convinced they have public sentiment on their side.
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
But it could just be from the freight train about to run us over.
