Posted: Monday, January 25, 2016 9:21 pm | Updated: 9:21 pm, Mon Jan 25, 2016.
By Eric Timmons, etimmons@qconline.com qconline.com
MOLINE -- It's time for an up-or-down vote both on Gov. Bruce Rauner's "turnaround agenda" and a state budget, state Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, said at a Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce event on Monday.
Illinois has gone almost seven months without a budget, largely because Gov. Rauner has insisted any budget deal be tied to the turnaround agenda, which includes a raft of anti-union measures that are vehemently opposed by Democrats.
Rep. Moffit, a veteran Republican lawmaker who is retiring after this year's elections, told a legislative forum organized by the chamber at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in Moline that it was time for action.
"Let's have an up-or-down vote, see where the chips will fall," he said. "Let's vote on the turnaround agenda, get a bill on the governor's desk or prove that we can or can't get it there."
The turnaround agenda includes a proposal to allow local governments to forgo bargaining for wages and benefits with unions and other measures likely to hurt organized labor.
Gov. Rauner's spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said Monday afternoon the governor agreed with Rep. Moffitt that it was time for lawmakers to vote on his policy proposals, although Democrats already have voted down several parts of the turnaround agenda.
Democrats passed a $36 billion budget last year, but it was vetoed by the governor because it was $4 billion short of estimated revenue.
"Let's have an up-or-down vote on the $36 billion in spending but only if attached to that is the revenue to support $36 billion, in other words, can we actually fund it," Rep. Moffitt said.
Gov. Rauner has suggested he's willing to negotiate with Democrats on raising taxes to meet proposed spending but only if his reforms are included in any deal.
Rep. Moffitt said it was time for the governor and leaders of both parties to understand "there's a time that half a loaf is better than no loaf" and to "quit hiding" and pass a budget. He urged members of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce to communicate that message directly to the governor.
"It's going to be more important that it come from the business groups, really, than from us at this point because we've been pretty blunt behind closed doors, but what happens behind closed doors in caucus stays there. We have relayed your message loud and clear there, but I think the governor needs to hear it," he said.
Most of the things the state funds have continued to be funded during the budget impasse because of court orders and laws.
But the areas that are not being funded include colleges and many nonprofits that depend on state funding to provide services to seniors and the disabled.
Last week, it was announced that Intouch Adult Day Services in Moline would close Feb. 26 with 70 job losses because it could no longer continue without state funding.
State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Rock Island, also spoke at Monday's chamber event. He said he was troubled by the news that Intouch was closing its doors, but he said it could be many months before lawmakers and the governor agree on a budget.
"The talk is that it's going to be after the election in November. The saddest part is we all know what the elephant in the room is and why. It's because of politics; there's an election coming up, and that's disgusting to me," he said.
Democrats have shown a willingness to compromise with the governor by cutting spending, said state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, and in other areas such as worker's compensation. But Rep. Smiddy, who was not present at the chamber event, said the governor has not shown any willingness to find common ground.
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