BY MIKE CETERA
UPDATE: AUG. 22
The state still hasn't approved a capital projects bill, which could help Fox Valley schools pay for renovation projects or construction of new buildings. Yet that's not the worst news.
Schools throughout the state -- including some close to home -- are owed money they were promised five years ago. House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, last week sent a letter to Gov. Rod Blagojevich demanding he release the funds.
"It is clear that you are choosing to not exercise your authority to process the contracts and release the money to the school districts," Cross wrote.
-- UPDATE BELOW
What does this mean to taxpayers? Ultimately, they are going to have to pay more because the governor refuses to release the money.
The Hinckley-Big Rock School District is a prime example. In 2002, the district was promised $1.9 million to expand and renovate the high school and the two elementary schools. Officials haven't seen a nickel, but the district has long since completed the projects.
From a Beacon News article last week:
Last year, Hinckley-Big Rock issued $2 million in bonds to help cover the costs associated with school construction and the budget is "strapped," said H-BR's new superintendent, Jeff Walker. The district completed its $10 million construction project years ago by fronting all the money, but was expecting the state grant to reimburse part of the costs."If that $2 million wasn't there, they would have redesigned their project. It would have been an $8 million project," Walker said. "They were counting on that big time ...
"When somebody makes a promise, they need to carry through and not try to find one loophole after another loophole to renege on that promise."
The Tribune followed with a story on Tuesday.
School administrators became even more upset after Comptroller Dan Hynes warned Monday that schools won't get a second general-aid check from the state for operating funds because the governor has yet to sign the budget.Failing to get state construction funds puts additional pressure on local property taxpayers who have to make up the difference.
The lack of construction funds may force districts to extend loans and pay more in interest. Some of the school districts that were anticipating the state money already had built new classrooms.
These silly budget games in Springfield have a real effect: it costs all of us more money.
-- UPDATE: Aug. 22
The Capitol Fax Blog has MUCH more on the governor's disengenuous postering over this money.
This is just shamefull!