Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner delivered his third State of the State speech WEDNESDAY. Brian Mackey reports it comes amid a protracted political fight that's decimated parts of state government.
The State of the State address is usually a time when governors tout accomplishments.
Rauner, a Republican, spent most of his speech doing just that. "We've made great strides in ethics reform. ... We're modernizing and streamlining state government. ... We've cut red tape, and made it easier for citizens to interact with state government."
But Illinois is going on 19 months without a full state budget. Human services and higher education have been devastated.
Democrats, like Comptroller Susana Mendoza, say that should have been the focus of Rauner's speech. "The only thing that matters right now is the budget."
Rauner has refused to negotiate on balancing the budget unless Democrats also adopt his business-friendly legislative agenda.
