By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Jason Barickman said lawmakers are showing they can work together to get things done in passing a nearly $2 billion spending bill to fund local government services, but the Bloomington Republican told WJBC’s Dan Swaney this stop-gap plan falls short.
“This is problematic in that the legislature needs to pass a comprehensive budget that lives within its means,” Barickman said. “We missed the opportunity to do that by our own deadline which was May 31, so we are kind of limping along.”
The Illinois House easily passed a bill on Wednesday to fund roads, veterans homes, energy assistance, and lottery prizes. Barickman said he expects the Illinois Senate to pass it on Monday. Gov. Bruce Rauner has indicated he would sign it.
Illinois is now in the sixth month without a budget.
Backing Rubio
Barickman is backing U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in the Republican presidential primary.
“He’s not giving flippant responses and vague and ambiguous responses to policy questions,” Barickman said. “He’s giving thoughtful responses that I think really make sense to voters.”
Barickman didn’t say which of the other candidates he was referring to. Instead, he directed his frustration at the Obama administration.
“I’m a state lawmaker who is focusing on budgetary issues in our state and issues that are hitting us at home, but you have to bury your head in the sand to not look up at what’s happening around the world and the president’s response to that and, to me, not be troubled by that.”
Barickman said he’s most concerned about the GOP remaining united heading into the 2016 elections.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
