Funding/Budget Impasse Continues

As I predicted several weeks ago, there is still no budget plan for FY 08 and only three weeks remaining in the spring session. In Springfield on Thursday, the House voted 107-0 with 7 voting present to show there is NO support for Governor Blagojevich’s GRT plan. Speaker Madigan spoke about the GRT plan saying that the GRT “represents a fundamental shift in the philosophy of taxation” in Illinois. He also stated that the GRT is a regressive tax that is passed on to consumers who least can afford to pay.

At this time, we have Speaker Madigan talking of a tax bill that the Democrats will discuss in caucus next Tuesday. Senate President Jones has passed SB 1 out of committee along with amendments 1 and 2. This bill contains most of the GRT plan and various educational reform provisions. Perhaps since both houses will not be in session until next Tuesday the House-Senate leadership teams will work out a plan over the long weekend.

A common theme that runs through the funding debates is that of questioning local school district spending and fiscal accountability. Yet the legislature continues to consider and pass bills that will potentially increase costs to local school districts and unnecessarily restrict local spending decisions. Among these bills is HB 1347 that will drastically handicap local district’s ability to contract for food, custodial and transportation services. It is interesting that this bill is the main focus of the teachers’ union this year while it will certainly drain needed resources away from the classroom. Makes sense doesn’t it? Among other bills being considered are; “green” cleaning supplies, diabetes care training, pest management control, seatbelts on school buses, computer filters, summer school food programs, and use of sick leave. I find it sad that while we can’t fund existing mandates, the legislature is always working to add more ways to spend our limited funds. Stay tuned as the battle heats up!