Gov. Rauner Challenges Dems To Bring Him Spending Plan
(CBS) – Gov. Bruce Rauner is lashing out at Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Democratic lawmakers for what he calls stalling efforts to end the state budget stalemate.
WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports.
Rauner, a Republican, still insists Illinois needs term limits, a property tax freeze, better funding for schools and other things to stay competitive with other states. He says he's not demanding anything specific to restart budget negotiations with Democratic legislators.
Rauner says Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and other Democratic lawmakers want to force a crisis after stopgap spending bills expire in January.
But the governor is insisting Democrats come to the table with proposals for appropriations levels. The Democrats say that's for Rauner to decide.
What could resolve the standoff? This could end if some Democratic legislators stop doing Madigan's bidding, according to Rauner.
"I'm hoping they'll get up the courage to do the right thing in public," he says.
Jan. 1 is when current stopgap spending bills expire, but the governor says he won't approve a new short-term budget without term limits or a tax freeze.
Democrats say he should just focus on the budget -- not political power.
Rauner is the guest on "At Issue," which will air at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
