Illinois Democrats Won't Change Funding Bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — 11:15 a.m.
A spokesman says Illinois House Democrats will not immediately consider Gov. Bruce Rauner's suggested changes to legislation that would send collected tax dollars to cities and lottery winners.
A memo Tuesday from the Republican governor's staff indicated Rauner's reversal on the legislation. He now says he would accept the plan to release the money even though there's still no overall spending plan more than four months into the fiscal year.
Rauner says he's compromising with Democrats and even suggested adding money so that cities can buy road salt for winter and provide funding for four veterans homes.
Steve Brown is spokesman for House Democrats. He says Rep. Martin Moylan might add some money to the bill for police training and other purposes but not Rauner's ideas until they're evaluated.
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10 a.m.
Gov. Bruce Rauner is compromising over the state's budget mess, indicating he's OK with Democrats' legislation to disburse tax dollars already collected to local governments and lottery winners.
A memo Tuesday from a Rauner staffer to lawmakers says the Republican now supports the legislation and even suggested adding money, such as for road salt with winter around the corner.
The plan includes $1.9 billion collected in motor fuel tax for cities, wireless phone tax for 911 services and lottery dollars to pay winners. Rauner and Democrats have feuded over a spending plan since the fiscal year began July 1.
Rauner says his new support builds on Monday's compromise in three areas including state-subsidized child care.
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