What Next?

Where do we go from here? After the much ballyhooed start and the promise of new times with Governor Quinn we have made little or no progress in dealing with the state's major issues such as finance and providing necessary government services for the people. The Governor while being well-meaning and busy has not accomplished a great deal. Certainly he has been visible, he is living in the Governor's Mansion, he has pardoned some criminals, passed some legislation to protect utility customers from fraud but nothing really of substance.

Governor Quinn's budget was pronounced DOA when it was delivered almost of month ago on March 18th. While there appears to be a new spirit in Springfield, really not much has happened. Republicans and Democrats have reached no consensus on moving ahead to solve the fiscal crisis of the state. Talk of income tax increases and property tax reductions are just talk at this time as the parties plot to place themselves in the best possible position to avoid any responsibility for their actions or inactions. The result is no progress on anything!

The real issue is that both parties and their leaders have not lead for years and have made well-meaning, but systemically poor decisions to realign the finances of the state. We have added programs without paying for them, we have delayed required payments for pensions and other obligations pushing the burden onto future generations. Now the Governor wants to ask schools to rebate property taxes in exchange for state aide for schools which just won't happen. While the Governor has been fairly vocal about his budget plans the powers that be (Cullerton and Madigan) have been fairly closed mouthed throughout this debate. Polite but quiet!

The message here is that you should not expect a state budget until much later in the year, maybe by July but anything can happen. I have to think that somewhere in the quiet halls, some plans are being made and wonder when we will see and hear them. Stay tuned!