The General Assembly returned to Springfield this week. It was a short week. The Governor’s budget address took up most of Wednesday and both Chambers cancelled Friday’s Session.
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The Governor presented his budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday. The Governor has proposed about $3 billion in savings and cost cutting, mostly through changes to healthcare and pension benefits. He also projects about $200 million in new revenue coming from the sale of the Thompson Center in Chicago. The budget proposal leaves approximately $4.5 billion to be covered through further cuts to State Government, or through revenue and taxes that will be negotiated with the General Assembly.
The Governor indicated that he supports efforts in the Senate to create a “Grand Bargain” that would increase taxes, freeze property taxes, reform business regulations and impose term limits on leaders of the General Assembly. Republican Leader Radogno has indicated that any agreement in the Senate would have to be approved by the end of February. The Senate only has one more Session day scheduled for February, so the timeline for negotiations is very short.
The State has now gone almost two full years without a comprehensive budget. The bill backlog is reaching 6 months. The credit ratings agencies have downgraded the State’s debt rating, and the Attorney General is currently seeking court approval to stop payroll payments to many state employees. It is possible, that the budget crisis could paralyze state government if there is no agreement soon.
No energy related legislation was considered in committees this week. The Senate Energy Committee and House Public Utilities Committee canceled their scheduled hearings. The House Energy Committee met on Wednesday, but they took no action and called no bills.
Next week, none of the energy related committees in the House are scheduled to meet.
The Energy Association has scheduled several receptions for the new General Assembly. A reception honoring the House Committees will be on March 21st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Arlington’s, and a reception honoring the Senate Committees will be on March 28th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Maldaner’s. Please RSVP to edrake@elaineg75.sg-host.com, or 217-523-7348.
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