Illinois House Grills Rauner Budget Director Over Cuts
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois House members want Gov. Bruce Rauner's budget office to provide a detailed list of program cuts and the criteria used to make those decisions.
House Speaker Michael Madigan formed the budget oversight panel after Rauner suspended $26 million in social services and public health grants as part of his push to reduce a $1.6 billion shortfall in the state budget. Lawmakers requested the documents during a Tuesday morning meeting.
Lawmakers in March passed a plan to plug the gap that included cuts and transfers from special state funds. Rauner budget director Tim Nuding says the grant cuts worked "in concert" with the budget deal.
Democratic state Rep. Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates said the governor's intentions weren't clear and more details will help as next year's budget is crafted.
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