The Illinois Legislature

So, our state legislature are trying to do a bunch of stuff before the end of the regular session. At midnight tonight, the Democratic majority loses its ability to pass a budget without the assistance of the Republican minority.

First, lets consider the budget. Thankfully, Gov. Gonad’s gross receipts tax is dead. The House approved a budget last night that increases the state budget by about $800M this coming year but the Senate and Gov. Gonad badly want more money. Senator Trotter on NPR has said the House budget is DOA. They badly, badly want to expand state provided health care.

With the gross receipts tax dead Senate President Jones and Blagojevich, with Emporer Daley’s approval, are looking to vastly expand gambling in the state, 3 new casinos in the suburbs and a land based casino in the city. The new revenue would be used to pay for all the programs they want. But, even assuming the gambling expansion could pass, and it looks doubtful, the casinos won’t just magically appear and start generating money. It will take months if not a couple of years before they were up and running. So the theoretical money won’t be available for a while.

Additionally, Democratic Senators and Blagojevich want to lease the state lottery to pay for public pension deficits. Don’t forget, Blagojevich borrowed heavily against the pensions several years ago to pay for operating expenses. Now he has to find a way to pay that money back. Leasing/selling the lottery removes a continual $650M cash flow each year.

And my biggest problem with the budget: no one is pushing strongly for more funding for public transportation.