Gov. Bruce Rauner finally weighed in on a bipartisan deal meant to end the Illinois budget stalemate.
But in Wednesday’s budget address, he shot down a key component of the compromise.
Rauner was kept out of the Senate negotiations from the start. He has since praised them in general but refused to get into specifics -- until now.
In his budget speech to the General Assembly, Rauner said he does support expanding the state sales tax to cover more services — but opposes taxing groceries and drugs.
“We can find a way to balance the budget without hurting low-income families and fixed-income seniors,” Rauner said.
Rauner also suggested an increase in the income tax “could be stepped down” over time. The Senate plan has called for a permanent increase.
Rank-and-file Senate Republicans have repeatedly indicated they’re not yet satisfied with the deal. That’s caused Democrats to grow impatient.
