Mission Accomplished in Illinois - Now We Need a Disaster PLan SB2789.

Senator Laura Murphy

The Unbalanced Budget Response Act????

(HT:KHS)

A warning this afternoon from Senator Laura Murphy (Park Ridge) that Republican Leader Senator Christine Radogno (Lemont) has filed SB2789,  which will provide for Governor Rauner to act as full-fledged CEO in determining  who or what may be paid – given the fiscal mess he has created.

A copy of the  Senator’s email of February 29^th is below:

Dear Friends,

Despite Illinois’ ongoing budget misery, Governor Rauner has introduced a plan that includes suspending required pension payments – the same kind of pension holiday that saddled the state with enormous unfunded liability to begin with.

The governor’s allies in the legislature have filed the Unbalanced Budget Response Act, which would give the governor sweeping powers to raid state funds, cut crucial programs and skip pension payments.

Illinois is in the mess it’s in largely because past governors and General Assemblies took pension holidays instead of budgeting responsibly. The practice plunged the state into debt and destabilized the public employee pension systems.

Now, Rauner wants the power to reduce or skip pension payments without even consulting you or your elected representatives. The governor is not a CEO – actions this drastic should require a lengthy debate and legislative approval where your voices can be heard.

I cannot support vague “reforms” that affect the working people of our state until I read the fine print.

I’ll be sure to keep you informed during this frustrating process, and I’ll keep fighting for you and your constitutionally guaranteed benefits. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Laura Murphy

28th District - Illinois 

Thank you sincerely, Senator Murphy.  I noticed this evening that no pending transactions from Springfield are yet poised for deposit into my accounts.  But it’s early yet.  

On the other hand, your email is another chilling reminder of Rauner’s casuistry on the Republican leadership and his frightening rush administer pain to selected groups of citizens – not govern.

Radogno’s SB2789 is now referred to Assignments.  Synopsis below:

Creates the Unbalanced Budget Response Act. Provides authority and procedures for the Governor to establish contingency reserves of previously appropriated funds, and to transfer balances between special funds in the State treasury and the General Revenue Fund. Describes the agencies and programs subject to this authority. Provides that designated agencies may adopt emergency rules to carry out the purposes of the Act. Defines terms. Provides that the Act is repealed on July 1, 2017. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Adds actions taken under the Unbalanced Budget Response Act to a Section relating to applicability. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

A phone call to your Senator would be helpful.  Given a lack of any budget, major companies not being paid (let’s take Cigna, for example) will bill the state penalties and interest and await their money eventually.  Smaller businesses and services will not be able to weather the drought, and they will go under.  Providing this Governor with another method to divert monies from services and promises will generate grander deficits and pain for all of us later on – if we all don’t go under first.

It's what he does...