Illinois Governor Pat Quinn refuses to consider a proposal to cut state spending by 10%, and the Legislature refuses to consider Quinn’s plan to raise the state’s income tax from 3% to 4%. The result (from the State Journal-Register): Lawmakers abruptly left Springfield Friday without approving a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. There is no schedule for them to return to finish, but unless the Democrat-controlled legislature passes a budget by May 31, they’ll need Republican votes to do so. Three times last week, the House rejected plans to borrow money to make a required $3.8 billion payment to the pension systems next year. Quinn said that was a mistake. “We have to borrow. I’ve said that from Day One,” he said. Just kicking the can down the road. More on Illinois here.
