Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says the Democrats aren’t making a serious effort to solve the state’s budget woes.
A Democratic proposal to sweep money from several state accounts and use it to fund daycare subsidies and other programs that are running out of money has passed out of committee in the state legislature.
But Rauner says the measure is a distraction, not an answer to the problem.
“They’re doing a partial answer, and then they’re trying to push for a tax increase or borrowing. We’re not going to increase taxes to fix this hole, we’re not going to borrow to fix this hole. The money’s in the government. We should just move it where it ought to be. They should stop dragging their feet, and they should get this done.”
Illinois’ massive $1.6 billion budget shortfall for the current fiscal year was at least partly caused when the state’s income tax rate was allowed to drop in January. The governor and the legislature have been negotiating on how to keep programs funded through the end of the fiscal year several months from now.
Rauner made the remarks during an appearance in DeKalb, where he touted his proposals to reform state government, freeze property taxes and other ideas that he says will empower voters at the local level.
DeKalb was one of several stops on a statewide tour by Rauner to urge support for his budget solutions.
