Posted on 12/10/2008 6:29:38 PM PST by Lando Lincoln
Governor Blagojevich will take Illinois' budget concerns to the east coast this week.
His office says the Governor will meet with President-Elect Barack Obama and other governors Monday and Tuesday in Philadelphia to discuss how the federal government can help states address their state budget shortfalls. Blagojevich's office says it's part of his plan to manage Illinois' fiscal year 2009 budget deficit of $2 billion caused by the national economic downturn.
Two weeks ago, Governor Blagojevich announced a four-pronged plan to manage Illinois' budget deficit. As part of that plan, the Governor sent a letter to congressional leaders and Obama's transition team to request increased federal stimulus aid.
"Unfortunately the poor national economic situation has had a negative effect on many state budgets. In Illinois we have to make difficult decisions to determine how to make reductions while still providing core services. I look forward to meeting with other governors and President-Elect Barack Obama to discuss strategies for dealing with state budget shortfalls and a federal stimulus plan that addresses states' needs. To assist families and local businesses through this bad economy, Illinois needs a budget that works," said Governor Blagojevich.
The Governor's office lists the following components as being part of his plan:
1. Continued Belt Tightening - The Governor has already taken fiscally responsible steps by reducing the FY09 budget passed by the General Assembly by $1.4 billion, ordering all agencies to reduce spending by 3%, reducing the cost of core services, and decreasing headcount. The state will continue to find efficiencies and savings in the agencies through further reserves and spending freezes while still providing Illinoisans with core services.
2. Emergency Budget Act - During the Illinois General Assembly's November Veto Session, the Governor proposed legislation to give him the authority to hold back in contingency reserve as much as 8 percent of total appropriation and distributions for all General Fund spending, including agencies under the Governor, the State Board of Education, higher education, state pension funds, and funding to local governments. In addition to the rights granted the Governor, the Emergency Budget Act provides similar powers and responsibilities to the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer with respect to each constitutional officer's own budget. Throughout December and early January, the Governor's office will work with legislators to refine the language in the Emergency Budget Act to make it more agreeable to all sides.
3. Increased Federal Stimulus - On November 18, Governor Blagojevich sent a letter to U.S. congressional leadership and Obama's transition team detailing the effects that the poor economic condition has had on Illinois. The letter focused on the areas that the State has identified with the greatest impact and requests more than $1 billion annually over the next three years.
4. Short-Term Borrowing - While short-term borrowing will not solve the budget deficit, the state needs to pay vendors on time and manage the state's uneven cash flow. The Governor, the Comptroller and the Treasurer are currently working together on the borrowing plan. In May 2003, the state borrowed $1.5 billion to pay Medicaid assistance, medical providers of long term care, refund fund, and state aid payments to K-12 schools. Short-term borrowing has been used in other years since to manage cash flow and ensure the state's payment obligations are met timely.
Talk about being a Leper
I'm sure they could get Obama's seat sold...cheap.
Nah...that'd never happen.
Time for a good shunning.
“I was doing it for the chiiiildern”.....
At some point, things will change, and Obama's whole approach to managing his image, and controlling information about his behavior will have to radically change. The media simply will not be able to carry his water to the extent he will require.
Somebody who knows how to better grab that page before it gets scrubbed.
He needs to resign.
Governor Blagojevich best be meeting with a criminal defense lawyer instead of playing governor. If he has evidence that could ensnare Obama, he should buy a bullet proof vest, avoid being near high windows, avoid aircraft trips and look both ways crossing roads.
Yeah, this guy Gov. Blago, could end up like Vince Foster.
“Governor Blagojevich best be meeting with a criminal defense lawyer instead of playing governor. If he has evidence that could ensnare Obama, he should buy a bullet proof vest, avoid being near high windows, avoid aircraft trips and look both ways crossing roads.”
If he needs a safe haven I suggest Arkansas.
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