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Residents, legislators voice opinions at budget hearing

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, March 10, 2008 11:06 PM CDT

MARION - The list of scheduled speakers at a regional hearing on the state budget Monday was a virtual Who's Who in Southern Illinois community leaders.

SIUC President Glenn Poshard, speaking on behalf of higher education funding needs, headlined the list. The hearing was hosted by Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, at the Williamson County Pavilion in Marion.

"We're the largest employer south of Springfield and we're very concerned about this year's budget," Poshard said. "Our state funding (at SIUC) has declined about 5 percent over the last six years from $239 million to $227 million. And that's become a real problem not only for us but for the middle- and low-income families in our district."

Poshard said he doesn't wish to lay blame on any one individual for the fact that a capital budget hasn't passed the legislature in the last six years. He said he remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached this year.

"Over the last two weeks, I've spoken with all four legislative leaders in the state and am convinced that they sincerely want to find a way to fund this budget," Poshard said. "I think they realize that infrastructure problems have gotten worse around the state and that we run the risk of losing federal dollars for certain projects if we don't pass a capital budget soon. We've got to find a way to get this done. There must be a unified front to get this problem solved."

Bob Childers, representing Williamson County Programs on Aging, said the state cut his funding level by $48,000 a few years ago; that forced him to cut staff and services for seniors. He would like to see funding increases instead.

"Our funding was based on the general population of the area, which has declined in recent years, but not our senior population, as I believe it should have been," Childers said. "Our senior population has actually grown. And if our funding level is cut, it's that much more we can't provide for our seniors."

Ben Calcaterra, owner of Logan Primary Pharmacy in Herrin, spoke about the late payments he and pharmacists around the state have received from the state in Medicaid prescriptions filled for clients.

"Speaking for myself, about 51 percent of my total prescription revenues are Medicaid and I'm getting paid sometimes four months later," Calcaterra said. "Because of that, I have trouble paying drug bills, with employee staffing and can't do any remodeling with my business."

Buddy Maupin, business agent with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said sharp cuts to front-line staff and services have made the challenge of providing services to members enormously difficult.

"Illinois badly needs legislative action to ensure that there is enough staff to get the job done right in state government," Maupin said. "And we need to raise more revenue to balance our state budget. We need less political posturing and more political leadership in Springfield."

Bradley said House members will use the information gathered at 19 similar regional hearings throughout the state to complement the work of standing House appropriations committees and help direct lawmakers' efforts to construct a fiscally responsible and balanced budget.

"This hearing was designed to bring greater transparency to the state budget and give Southern Illinoisans an opportunity to weigh in about how they would like to see the state prioritize spending," he said.

john.homan@thesouthern.com / 351-5805