State government is without a budget for the new fiscal year, which started July 1.

Senator Dale Risinger says lawmakers and the Governor were in Springfield June 30, hoping to come to a budget agreement. No progress was made, so the Governor vetoed a portion of the budget that funds human service programs, leaving thousands of providers and recipients in limbo.

Despite being mostly cut out of the budget process this spring, Republicans again offered an alternative budget plan on June 30 that would temporarily finance the state at the Fiscal Year 2008 level. The Republican proposal would have prevented the deep cuts to human services that many of Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens rely on, and forestall the thousands of lay-offs that many say will result due to Governor Quinn's veto action.

Senate Republicans have argued that rolling state spending back to a previous fiscal year is more equitable than the budget passed by Democrats at the end of May. That budget targeted human service programs by cutting spending by 50 percent in those areas, while increasing spending in other areas.

With no Fiscal Year 2010 budget in place and the end of the current fiscal year rapidly approaching, the state’s Democrat leaders adjourned a special legislative session June 24 and made plans to return next week.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Senate Republicans offered an alternative “bridge” budget, which would keep state government functioning and social service programs operational. Senator Dale Risinger said the Caucus decided to offer the temporary proposal because negotiations that should have been going on back in March are only now beginning to take place. As was the case during the Blagojevich Administration, the current Governor and his fellow Democrats who control the Legislature have been unable to agree on any plan.

The Republican proposal would roll spending back to the previous year’s levels, which is seen as more equitable and manageable than the budget approved in May. The May proposal, passed by a partisan vote with no Republican support, slashed human service spending by 50%, while increasing funding in other areas.

Citizens with questions about their phone bills will have the opportunity to talk with an expert from the Citizens Utility Board at a free clinic June 30 sponsored by Senator Dale Risinger.

The Community Phone Bill Clinic is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., June 30 at Illinois Central College Auditorium, 5407 N. University in Peoria.

“If you have questions about your phone bill, or if you think you are paying too much for phone service, this clinic could help you find some answers,” Senator Risinger said. “A representative from the Citizens Utility Board will be at the clinic to analyze your phone bills one-on-one and show you how to save money.”