BY DAVE PARRO
With eight days left before the money runs out in Springfield, we could be facing a state government shutdown next week. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing.
The Legislature in June passed a month-long budget that will run out July 31. This time around, it looks like rank-and-file lawmakers might not grant a temporary reprieve because they're as sick of the Democratic leaders' antics as the rest of us.
Rep. Tom Cross of Oswego, the House minority leader, thinks a shutdown might finally force a budget compromise after months of childish behavior and political grandstanding.
Government officials are saying it's not time to press the panic button and that public safety and schools would still receive funding. But Cross is right that a shutdown, even a short-lived one, might finally force Gov. Blagojevich and his feuding party leaders into action.
“I don’t think anyone finds government shutdown preferable,” Cross said. “What I think the thought process is, the fear of that is the only thing that will get some people moving.”
The Democrats' inability to get anything done while in control of both chambers and the governor's mansion has been embarrassing. Maybe a shutdown will finally raise the public outcry to an unbearable level even for the spoiled trio of Blagojevich, Michael Madigan and Emil Jones.
Dave I understand the filter you view this through...but you could provide a little more insight to readers about the need for alignment and compromise in politics. For example, Pennsylvania was in a similar situation just a couple of weeks ago and they came out of it just fine...via compromise.
Our leaders will compromise, and we will have a budget, and then we can all focus on the more important matters such as healthcare, pensions, and gun control. I personally fear one-party control of government, and frankly I find the current situation a much needed check & balance on what could be unfettered power by Democrats…of which I am one. The current stalemate, however undesirable, is on some level a good thing.
I've just discovered this blog, and I look forward to future postings by the Beacon staff.