BUDGET TALKS CONTINUE AT THE CAPITOL BUT THERE’S STILL NO AGREEMENT ON HOW MUCH MONEY THE STATE HAS TO SPEND IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN CULLERTON SAYS THEY HAVE A DECENT ESTIMATE OF THE STATE’S REVENUES BUT THAT SEVERAL FACTORS MAKE THAT NUMBER IMPOSSIBLE TO PIN DOWN EXACTLY. HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JIM DURKIN SAYS THEY NEED THAT NUMBER TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE SPENDING.
BUT SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN CULLERTON SAYS THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH NOW.
THE LEGISLATURE TYPICALLY TRIES TO GET A BUDGET PASSED BY THE END OF MAY BUT THAT HASN’T HAPPENED THE LAST FEW YEARS. THE NEW FISCAL YEAR BEGINS JULY FIRST.
