Free Republic

The state’s auditor general says the Illinois Lottery violated state finance law by prepaying $20 million to ensure it could participate in future multi-state lottery games even without a state budget. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the lottery made two $10 million payments on June 30, 2015, when it was clear lawmakers had failed to agree on a state budget that should have begun the next day. …

Fell Charter teachers to work without pay SARAH SCINTO, STAFF WRITER Published: October 27, 2015 SIMPSON — Teachers at Fell Charter Elementary School will work without pay to keep the school open as the state budget impasse continues to take a toll on public education. The Fell Charter Board of Education voted Monday night to move forward with a plan that closes the school on Fridays, dismisses students early on Monday through Thursday and delays paychecks to teachers until a state budget passes. The plan will take effect Nov. 2 “if the budget funds are not released” to Fell Charter...

Madison— Republican legislative leaders kick-started the stalled Wisconsin budget Wednesday by leaving two controversial pieces out of the bill and brokering a deal on a third piece to hold down state borrowing for highways. Though GOP lawmakers are again moving ahead on the budget and scheduling a key committee vote for Thursday, the way ahead remains murky. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) said he didn't have the support yet to pass the budget bill yet in his house and he and Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) could not give a firm timeline for passing out of the budget a financing...

Besieged Senate Republicans continued to block passage of a state budget Friday night even as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly sided with Democrats and urged GOP senators to give up the fight. The deadlock in the Senate persisted despite the Assembly passing a budget on a bipartisan vote following an all-night session into Friday morning. The Assembly has since disbanded for a monthlong recess. GOP lawmakers complain that the Assembly spending plan does not cut deep enough and are holding out for more reductions. On Friday night, Schwarzenegger, whose role in budget talks has largely been limited this year, stepped in...