Friday, August 29, 2008 8:34 PM CDT
Ill. GOP says budget cuts designed to trigger tax hike
By KURT ERICKSON, JG/T-C Springfield Bureau
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s decision to cut hundreds of state jobs and close two dozen state parks and historic sites is part of a Democratic strategy to raise taxes on Illinoisans, a top Illinois Republican said Friday.
Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, accused the Democratic governor of creating a dire situation with the state budget as a way to force lawmakers to boost taxes to restore cuts and expand government.
“We’re being set up for a tax increase,” Watson said.
A spokeswoman for the governor denied the cuts were linked to a future tax hike.
“The governor has said repeatedly that he will veto any tax increase,” spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said in an email statement Friday afternoon.
On Thursday, the administration confirmed it was looking to cut state government by 450 positions and close 13 historic sites and 11 state parks as a way to deal with $1.4 billion that the governor cut out of the budget sent to him by lawmakers.
Blagojevich says he had to cut the money because the legislature wanted to spend more cash than will flow into state coffers this year.
Fallout from the decision continued Friday.
At the Department of Children and Family Services, spokesman Kendall Marlowe said the actual number of people who may lose their jobs could be closer to 325 because some positions in that agency may be left unfilled.
Officials also were reviewing whether they would remove road signs pointing motorists to sites that will be closed.
“That certainly won’t be done in the next few months while affected sites remain open,” said Department of Natural Resources spokesman Chris McCloud.
“Nothing is determined on this,” said Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Parks targeted for closure on Nov. 1 include Moraine View State Park near LeRoy, Hidden Springs State Forest in Shelby County and Weldon Springs State Park in DeWitt County.
Historic sites that will close Oct. 1 include the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, Lincoln Log Cabin near Charleston, the Bryant Cottage in Bement, the Cahokia Courthouse in Cahokia and Bishop Hill.
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said cuts to the various agencies don’t make sense.
“This governor continues to try and expand Medicaid programs, but slashes funding for the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Human Services. He is balancing his bloated budget on the backs of some of our most vulnerable citizens,” Brady said.
Watson said the economic impact of closing parks and historic sites will cause outcry among local officials and businesses. He said that’s likely the strategy behind the cuts.
“When you touch the nerve of the public, there’s a reason for that.” Watson said.
Quinn, however, said the governor has consistently said he’s against raising taxes, even though he broke an anti-tax pledge in order to get more money to Chicago area transit systems last year.
“Why would he be pushing a tax increase?” Quinn said.
Contact Kurt Erickson at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 789-0865.
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gringa wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:34 AM: