Sunday, May 11, 2008 12:34 AM CDT
OUR VIEW: As a bully, Blagojevich excels in budget battles
By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s latest chapter in peevishness ended last week with his retreat from a threat to cut funding to state agriculture programs. The governor is rapidly running out of bullets in his attempts to bully the legislature in the battle over the state budget.
Blagojevich insists the state faces a $750-million shortfall in funding in the fiscal year ending June 30. However, according to Senate President Emil Jones — who Blagojevich counts an ally — the state is $400 million short of anticipated revenues.
Several weeks ago we ran a guest opinion by state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, in which Rose argued the $400 million represented about 1.5 percent of the total state general revenue funds.
Rose wrote, “One could easily conclude that given the 1.5 percent shortfall, the state could just tighten its belt a little bit, call it a day, and move on to debating next year’s budget.”
Assuming Jones is right in setting the deficit at $400 million, Rose’s call for an across-the-board cut of 1.5 percent is far more compelling than Blagojevich’s draconian proposal to strangle important agricultural programs and undermine funding for state colleges.
Had the governor not relented, the damage would have devastated county farm Extension centers and Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
In Coles County alone, it would have cost the Extension $79,000. The Coles SWCD would have lost 55 percent of its revenue, approximately $77,000. The body blow would have been felt in every Extension office and SWCD district in the state.
Blagojevich caved just as Extension offices and SWCDs were on the verge of slashing services. According to Coles County Extension officials, the proposed $79,000 cut in its program amounted to two months without state funding.
Blagojevich’s cuts would have hurt 4-H programs, building grounds for leadership. 4-H activities are a wise investment in our youth. Each summer, 4-H members compete in livestock shows and many other activities at county fairs.
Extension centers offer a wide variety of programs to the agricultural community, as do SWCD offices. SWCDs focus on vital soil and water conservation methods which benefit all citizens. As the world cries for food, the importance of conservation becomes manifest.
Blagojevich’s threat to slash agriculture programs amounted to blackmail. From Chicago to Cairo, it crumbled in the face of public outrage.
If Blagojevich is as concerned about saving Illinois taxpayers money as he professes, he should be paying the fare for his flights to and from Springfield instead of billing Illinois taxpayers.
Instead of constantly trying to wield the sword of Damocles, he should be in Springfield working in a realistic manner with lawmakers to eliminate the state’s budget deficit.
— JG/T-C Editorial Board
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Becky wrote on May 12, 2008 8:10 AM: