Post by libby on Jan 25, 2016 19:39:59 GMT -6
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said Monday that there is "no good excuse" for major cuts to social service programs that have resulted from the budget impasse, blaming Democrats he said could have struck a deal but are content to cause chaos in an effort to force a tax increase.
The governor's comments came just days after Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, the state's largest social services agency, announced it would close 30 programs and cut 750 positions because it's owed more than $6 million by the state.
"There is really no good excuse for the tragic loss of those kinds of services," Rauner said at an unrelated event. "It's inexcusable for us not to have a budget right now. We could have and should have done this many months ago."
Democrats counter that it's Rauner who is holding the budget hostage as he pushes a pro-business, union-weakening political agenda. Rauner has indicated he would consider a tax increase only if lawmakers adopt his changes.
See more: www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-budget-cuts-met-0126-20160125-story.html
The governor's comments came just days after Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, the state's largest social services agency, announced it would close 30 programs and cut 750 positions because it's owed more than $6 million by the state.
"There is really no good excuse for the tragic loss of those kinds of services," Rauner said at an unrelated event. "It's inexcusable for us not to have a budget right now. We could have and should have done this many months ago."
Democrats counter that it's Rauner who is holding the budget hostage as he pushes a pro-business, union-weakening political agenda. Rauner has indicated he would consider a tax increase only if lawmakers adopt his changes.
See more: www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-budget-cuts-met-0126-20160125-story.html