By IRN
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois needs real budget solutions, not empty promises. That’s the reason Gov. Bruce Rauner gave for vetoing a nearly $4 billion appropriations bill Friday.
Rauner said Senate Bill 2046 appropriated nearly $3.9 billion for social service providers and higher education, with more than $3 billion coming out of the General Revenue Fund. Rauner said the state can’t write checks from an overdrawn bank account.
Senate President John Cullerton spokesman John Patterson said the veto is disappointing but underscores the need for immediate action on a balanced, bipartisan emergency budget for human service providers. That separate bill, Senate Bill 2038, would free up $700 million from special funds.
Asked about SB 2038 earlier this week, Rauner said it’s time for a full budget.
“It does not have essential services in it. It is incomplete and will still — this is what I need you to understand — it will still create a crisis,” Rauner said.
Rauner stopped short of saying he’d veto that bill.
SB 2038 passed both chambers unanimously and is on the governor’s desk.
The governor said lawmakers need to return to Springfield to pass a balanced budget.
