The Illinois House just voted on Gov. Quinn's temporary income tax hike. It failed by a roll call of 42-74-2. The Daily Herald's John Patterson has a live-blog of the debate.
No definitive word yet on whether there will be a vote on the Meeks plan that passed out of the House Education Committee earlier today.
UPDATE I: A response from Keith Kelleher, president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois/Indiana:
"Members of the House who voted against an increase in the income tax now bear the responsibility for the massive cuts to come to services that millions of our citizens depend on. Their lack of political courage will translate into deep cuts to home care for Illinois seniors and people with disabilities and child care for our kids. We’re now calling on Governor Quinn to stop the cuts and veto the General Assembly's approach so that we can prevent what would be a truly devastating budget for Illinois families.”
UPDATE II: Overtime, anyone? After the defeat of the temporary plan -- and the apparent decision to shelve the Meeks plan -- the House did pass a budget, one with deep cuts to human services funding:
Before midnight Sunday, lawmakers planned to send Quinn the remainder of a budget for the next fiscal year. They already approved five bills designed to keep basic state services operating. The final bill supplied the funding for hundreds of human service programs, but at only half the level requested by Quinn.
Capitol Fax has video of Quinn's press conference this evening in which he suggested he won't accept the "partial budget." He also said that he won't sign the capital bill until the budget is balanced.
Comments
Daniel (not verified) on Sun, 05/31/2009 - 20:45
Thank god this failed.
lqhf87 on Sun, 05/31/2009 - 21:01
I disagree. We need this increase. I hope they pass Meeks bill.
Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/31/2009 - 21:02
I am a state employee and IL is beyond overdue for a tax increase, especially closing of corp tax loopholes. Failing to do so will hurt our most vulnerable people, cutting education and social services which are already stretched to the limit of breaking.
Daniel (not verified) on Mon, 06/01/2009 - 10:29
Upon further thought you're right, let's hope Meeks passes because we really do need to retain our social services.
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