Dear Neighbor,
The Legislature left Springfield last week without passing a budget. While I continue to argue for comprehensive solutions to our budget problems rather than half measures that delay and increase our budget crisis, I worry we will ultimately enact an irresponsible budget. Below, I provide an overview of what happened in the Senate last week, what happened in the House, and my thoughts about reforms we must demand.
Senate
The Senate passed a series of budget bills. With small majorities, the Senate reduced overall funding levels by 1.3% ($357.5 million), enabled the Governor to defer pension payments, and provided the Governor with Emergency Budget Authority to unilaterally make changes to the budget.
I voted no on these measures for 3 core reasons. First, the appropriations bill starves critical education and health services since we do not have the revenues to support the appropriation levels. Second, delaying pension payments creates a massive unaddressed budget deficit; we are only kicking the problem down the road and increasing our future problem. Finally, giving the Governor "emergency" budget authority and providing "lump sum" budgets rather than budgets for individual programs abdicates our Constitutional responsibility to democratically appropriate State spending. Because the legislature does not want to make cuts, we are giving the Governor total authority to do so.
House
The House did not pass any budget related bills. There was not support to borrow for the pension system payments (this requires a super majority vote to pass), make cuts equal to the pension fund payments that are due (about $3.7 billion), defer the pension payment, or increase revenues. As a result, the Legislature will need to return to Springfield to pass a budget. The one small hope in the inaction by the House is that there could be growing pressure for real reform.
Summary
I do not (and will not) support a budget that is not credible and balanced. In the budget to date the appropriation levels are not supported by sufficient revenues to fund them. We would have to borrow dollars to meet the spending levels and/or defer payments to the pension systems. I believe we must be taking steps now to address our budget deficit, not borrow and continue to increase our debt and delay (and grow) our problem.
Currently we have over $5 billion in unpaid bills and over $130 billion in unfunded liabilities. These extreme circumstances demand that we reduce expenditures significantly and raise revenues. Further, we must reform our budget process to ensure dollars are spent on critical priorities and that we enact fiscally responsible budgets going forward. I will continue to push for these changes but fear difficult decisions may wait until after the election in November. I welcome any thoughts or suggestions and encourage you to communicate with other legislators as well. You can contact me at hsteans@senatedem.ilga.gov or 773-769-1717.
Best,
Heather A. Steans
State Senator
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Heather Steans