Email from Pamela J. Althoff, State Senator

Forward of an email sent today:

To keep you informed, I would like to provide you the following information about what has been happening regarding the budget negotiations in Springfield .

I am deeply disturbed and disappointed that negotiations that should have been going on back in March have truly only begun to take place. As Minority Spokesperson on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have put forth numerous potential solutions that could help address the budget crisis. Earlier this year, I joined colleagues in unveiling a deficit reduction plan that would have reduced the deficit by $3 billion next year through government cost-savings and fiscal reforms. Unfortunately, the majority party in the General Assembly failed to act on those measures.

This week, I joined other lawmakers in calling for a “bridge” plan in the hopes of getting things moving before the new fiscal year starts July 1. We did so because it has become abundantly clear that the Governor and the majority party in the legislature continue to target cuts to critical state services, in particular, the social service agencies, their clients who are at risk, and families in need.

We have suggested that lawmakers adopt a temporary budget that can keep service providers in business while legislative leaders negotiate. We have proposed financing at the Fiscal Year 2008 levels. We know this is not ideal, but it would roll back spending to a more responsible and affordable level across the board.

We feel this is better than the budget plan adopted at the end of May – a plan I voted against – that focused massive cuts on only a few select areas of the budget (social service agencies) and increased spending in other areas. That drastic measure was designed to create a backlash, which it did. But it has done nothing to advance a responsible solution or address the underlying problems facing Illinois government.

People have asked for alternatives, and I believe this bridge budget is a reasonable option. While it would still require sacrifice, it is shared and manageable sacrifice that would allow Illinois to move forward and negotiate solutions to the problems underlying state government in Illinois .

I offered to stay in Springfield as long as is necessary to pass a budget that meets the needs of the social services community and avoids the unnecessary and draconian cuts contained in the budget passed in May.

We can find a solution that addresses these priorities, but it will take willpower, bipartisanship and a desire to advance the common-good, rather than a political agenda, to get us there.

Pamela J. Althoff
State Senator, 32nd District