By Greg Halbleib
SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) says it’s apparent that spending cuts alone won’t end the state’s budget mess, but residents tell him that’s fine–with conditions.
“In my travels and talking to people, it’s not that they say, ‘Look, I won’t pay any more of anything, it’s that if I do, do with the money what you’re supposed to,'” Brady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn. “Put it in stabilized services, put it into pensions, wherever.”
Brady reminded WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn that before tackling a spending plan for fiscal 2018 beginning in June, a supplemental budget must be worked out for the current year.
Brady added that ending the state budget troubles begins with ending the practices which dug the financial hole and getting back to basics.
“Over the years, Springfield has been obviously spending money they don’t have and focused on areas where their priorites are lost,” Brady said. “Public safety, public infrastructure, public education–that’s what we’re supposed to be doing in a budget in Springfield.”
Brady said the governor’s proposals have been met with silence from House Speaker Michael Madigan and the Democratic majority, although rank and file lawmakers will continue to push for an acceptable spending plan.
