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Rauner: Arguments Among Lawmakers Slowing Budget Talks

Carl Nelson
/
WNIJ

State lawmakers approved a budget that relies on a higher income tax rate.

But Governor Bruce Rauner won the office on a platform of lower taxes.

Now - Illinois faces an immediate $1.6 billion dollar budget hole.

Credit Carl Nelson / WNIJ
/
WNIJ

Rauner says lawmakers are talking about sweeping funds from some programs into more “essential” ones.

"But they’re arguing among themselves what’s non-essential."

Rauner has said for weeks that he’s close to resolving the issue with legislative leaders.

"Democracy is a horrible system except compared to the alternatives. It’s just, it’s a process."

Rauner says he offered to make the cuts and take the blame - but lawmakers refused after they saw his sweeping cuts proposed to next year’s budget.

Copyright 2015 WNIJ Northern Public Radio

Tony Arnold