Illinois’ top Senate Democrat is criticizing the way the Republican governor is handling budget negotiations.
Governor Bruce Rauner recently froze about 26 million for several programs like autism services.
Democrat John Cullerton has been around Springfield a long time. And he calls that move…
“Just not smart. And I guess we could just say it was, uh, chalk it up to inexperience, an effort to try to save money, but that same money could’ve been saved through negotiations rather than these arbitrary cuts.”
Cullerton says those cuts could’ve been delayed while legislative leaders negotiate a much bigger deficit for next year.
Rauner’s budget director says the move was necessary so the state can live within its means. Democratic lawmakers today said the cuts felt like a kick in the gut.
The governor’s budget director said he was up front when negotiating a bipartisan fix to a 1.6 billion dollar budget gap.
Cullerton says Rauner did not go back on his word - but that doesn’t mean the cuts are a good idea.