Illinois lawmakers have wrapped up a brief stay at the state capitol without agreement on a new budget. But Governor Pat Quinn is giving mixed signals on what he'll do as the new fiscal year approaches.
Quinn continues to call for an income tax increase to deal with the state's record deficit...but he still lacks the necessary support to get it approved. After months of painting a Doomsday scenario for social service agencies if there's no additional revenue...Quinn now seems to be back pedaling on dropping the budget axe.
QUINN: I want to say as Governor, we're not going to permit that kind of approach of slash and burn to human services that are vitally necesssary.
Quinn is hearing from lawmakers who want him to go along with a temporary budget. Senate Republican Leader Crhstine Radogno says it would ease the minds of those who rely on services...
RADOGNO: What's going on now is cruel... it's cynical and it doesn't need to be happening.
Governor Quinn says no matter the budget outcome.. there will be shared sacrifice. He talked about state employee layoffs, and asking government workers to take up to 12 furlough days in the coming year. Lawmakers will return to capitol Monday, leaving them just two days before the end of the fiscal year to figure out a solution.