http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-958321.mp3
Springfield, IL – Illinois Senate Republicans say the state is still headed down the wrong road financially, so they're proposing a plan to reduce state spending.
The GOP estimates savings of more than $6.5 billion. Nearly all agencies would take a hit. That includes a 10% cut to colleges and universities. Health care and human services would also receive less funding.
Senator Pam Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) said the state has to rein in costs no matter how painful it might be.
"We're not up here today proposing these spending reductions because we're happy to cut state spending. Many worthy programs - ones many of us strongly believe in, that we've advocated for - would be impacted by our plan," Althoff said.
Althoff said Illinois is headed for fiscal disaster. She pointed to Governor Pat Quinn's budget plan, which she said would spend more money than the state is likely to bring in next year.
Illinois raised the income tax earlier this year. Althoff said if cuts are made now, the state might be able to roll back the tax hike eventually.
She said otherwise even higher taxes would be needed to pay for state services.
Democrats are in control at the state capitol and will have final say over the state's finances. The Democratic Senate President said he looks forward to working with Republicans on what he said will be "a difficult budget process."
Thanks to Illinois Public Radio