At a stop Wednesday in Decatur, Gov. Bruce Rauner indicated he'd let the state go without a budget if Democratic leaders don't bend to his wishes...and he’ll blame it on the Democrats, too.
Last month, Democrats pushed through a budget that spends $4 billion more than the state has. Rauner says he won't sign it -- or talk revenue -- until his pro-business ideas are also passed. The governor told the crowd outside Decatur's Beach House Restaurant getting the five items on his agenda passed shouldn't be a big deal.
"Do you guys know how many bills they passed this spring? 500," Rauner said.
Then, crowd member Renee McAfee cut in.
"No, but I know there's going to be a lot of cuts that you're proposing for childcare and homecare," she said.
Rauner responded: "You know what? Caused by Madigan and Cullerton."
McAfee interrupting is referring to Rauner’s announcement last week that he plans to reduce low-income families’ access to subsidized childcare.
After his speech, the governor squared off with Decatur resident and childcare provider Annie Yarbary, who told him she worries about July 1 arriving with no budget.
At one point during their six-minute conversation, Yarbary asked Rauner to "stop fighting like two-year-olds and stand up for the people of Illinois."
Rauner: "I agree with you. And you'll help, help me, just these are--" Yarbary: "What do you want me to help you with?" Rauner: "Ask your senator and ask your representative--" Yarbary: "I already have, I've talked to Senator Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and I've talked to Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) --" Rauner: "What did they say?" Yarbary: "They're saying that we need to find revenue."
The governor chuckled and said, "All they want to do is force a tax hike, then we're all going to lose in the long run."
Democratic leaders say while they won't push through a tax hike without GOP support, they also won't give in to the governor's legislative requests, which they call "extreme."
