Illinois Democrats and Republicans battle over doomsday budget scenario
By Benjamin Yount | Illinois Watchdog
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and the top Democrats in the Illinois Legislature say they want to make the 2011 “temporary” income tax increase permanent.
BE HONEST: Hayes says there is a budget deal, and Democrats are making a show of painful budget cuts.
Last month, Quinn presented a budget based on spending at least $36 billion provided by the tax increase. House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, has said he expects a vote on the tax hike by the end of May.
But Illinois lawmakers are still pushing a doomsday scenario in the budget-making process.
“We are using, as a base of our revenue, the amount of money the House and Senate agreed will be available,” Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, said Wednesday.
That’s about $34 billion.
GOP state Rep. Chad Hayes, R-Danville, isn’t buying it.
Watch as he and Harris go back and forth over whether the “charade” about a doomsday budget will end.
Contact Benjamin Yount at Ben@IllinoisWatchdog.org and find him on Twitter @BenYount.
