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Local officials say politics aren't in our favor

By Blackwell Thomas, The Southern

Monday, February 18, 2008 10:45 PM CST

With Gov. Rod Blagojevich set to unveil his proposed state budget Wednesday, government and education officials from across the region are hoping for a spending plan to help address their needs. But many concede the political climate in Springfield is not working in their favor.

Political rancor pushed last year's session months past its scheduled conclusion before a budget was passed in August. That legislation came after acrimonious on-again, off-again talks between party leaders and not before the governor slashed $463 million in spending for special projects and announced he was diverting the funds toward his health care initiatives.

That recent history and a national economy that many believe is in recession has Marion Mayor Bob Butler concerned about how the state can fund education and badly needed building and road projects in the area.

"I would think that people across the state agree that (education funding and capital improvements) is something that ought to be done," Butler said. "But where is the state going to get the money? I would hope to see something proposed by the governor in his budget address, but to me, he's got a terrible dilemma. He's said throughout his time in Springfield that he won't raise taxes; he might have painted himself in a corner."

Lawmakers' search for new revenue sources has centered largely on two possibilities - gambling expansion and a sales or income tax increase. Blagojevich has consistently threatened to veto any proposed tax increases, though he did bend on a local hike to bail out public transportation in Chicago. He then infuriated many lawmakers by amending the legislation to include free rides for senior citizens.

"I think we are all in the same assumption that we don't want to see taxes raised. But, if we want to do anything with school funding and funding for roads, I don't think there is anywhere else spending can be cut," Murphysboro Mayor Ron Williams said, before adding he didn't think more casinos were the answer, either.

"And we've charged all the fees we can to businesses. I don't think there's anything else we can do. Our state is getting further behind just in infrastructure repairs; just in the things we need to do to keep ourselves current."

Whether it's a new tax or more casinos, Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard said he wants to see action.

"I know the governor and the legislature want to be supportive of higher education," he said. "But somehow this logjam has to be broken. I am just hopeful there will be a middle ground found this time and we will see a funding of these critically needed projects."

Blagojevich is set to unveil his budget plan at noon Wednesday in Springfield.

blackwell.thomas@thesouthern.com / 351-5823