Non-Partisan Budget Experts Tell Senators: “The State Revenue Nightmare Continues”

Sen. Donne Trotter Reacts to National Conference of State Legislators Briefing

SPRINGFIELD,
Illinois – In a rare Democratic and Republican caucus meeting, Representatives of the non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) today presented Illinois Senators with a dose of budget and economic reality that faces nearly every state in the nation.

Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago), the Democrat’s lead budget negotiator helped to organize the bi-partisan gathering.  Trotter also serves as NCSL’s Budgets and Revenue Committee Chairman.  Following the meeting, he introduced the NCSL experts to a media conference at the State Capitol where they presented the media with a copy of their presentations, including one that led with the line “The State Revenue Nightmare Continues.” 

On behalf of the Democratic caucus, Trotter provided a reaction:

“Today Senators from both sides of the political aisle were reminded that our nation is in the midst of the longest business cycle downturn since 1929.  This has caused revenues to shrink drastically and has been the largest factor in operating budget deficits facing not just

Illinois – but nearly every other state in the nation.

The truth is

Illinois is not alone.  Nationally, income tax receipts were down by nearly 18 percent in the third quarter of last year.  Sales tax revenues were down about 9 percent during this same time.  This, coupled with what many see as a decades-long operating budget deficit, is responsible for

Illinois’ crisis.

Senate Democrats see two equal challenges facing

Illinois –

The first challenge is economic.  We must create jobs and improve the economic climate for the people who live in

Illinois.  NCSL told us today that it is possible for

Illinois’ long recession to end by mid-Summer.  That doesn’t mean a quick turn-around, but the fact that our state committed $31 billion into job-creation and infrastructure investment last year will definitely help.

We’re ready to do more this year through a package of job-creation and economic investment measures that Democrats will unveil in the coming days.

The second challenge is ensuring that lawmakers are serious about our state checkbook.  Again, it is clear today that the bulk of our budget difficulties are not because of out of control spending, but we still must cut fraud, waste and abuse.  With a deficit that exceeds $11 billion, it is unrealistic to think that this can solve our problems. 

A responsible budget requires us to develop spending reforms and find revenue streams that are contemporary and fair for all Illinoisans.  We must seek to pay our bills on time to stabilize our budget and that requires tough choices that Senate Democrats have already shown a willingness to make.

Today’s presentation was honest, truthful and free of political rhetoric.  We hope that as we move forward, all legislators approach our challenges in the same manner.”

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NCSL Presentation on Federal Funds – 2-17-10
NCSL Presenation – State Budget Update – 2-17-10

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