FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 June 12, 2009

SPRINGFIELD – Legislative leaders met on Tuesday, June 9, as they continue to work toward a resolution on the state budget. State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) said that the meetings continue to focus heavily on the need for spending reductions and reform, with Republicans pushing for additional ethics reforms, redistricting reform and recall proposals.

Though the discussions have been meaningful, the leaders are still divided on the best way to address the state’s budget woes.

Gov. Pat Quinn has been participating in the budget meetings; however, he has also been traveling the state, warning of drastic budget cuts to much-needed services and programs that will result if lawmakers do not approve an income tax increase. Senator Duffy explained that constituents’ concerns about the budget are well-founded, but urged the public not to be scared by what many people view as fear tactics by the Governor.

He said that many constituents have expressed concern over reports that the budget approved by Democrat lawmakers late on May 31 only funds state government at 50 percent, but noted that these reports are not correct. In reality, the budget appropriates almost 90 percent of the funds requested by Governor Quinn. It is primarily Illinois’ social services that lose out—it was these programs that were only funded at 50 percent of the level originally proposed.

Instead of deciding that the bulk of the budget cuts should be made across the board, Democrat leadership opted to substantially cut only social services. This was a conscious decision to reduce funding for the programs and providers that serve Illinois’ most vulnerable populations, and a choice that Senator Duffy said was seemingly made in order to incite backlash and build public pressure to pass an increase in the state income tax.

Senate Republicans will continue to advocate for spending cuts and reform as budget negotiations continue.

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