Despite skipping the first meeting, both Democrat House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton joined Gov. Bruce Rauner and the two Republican leaders twice this week to discuss the ongoing budget crisis and the need for reforms.
Passage of a budget is of the utmost concern as the temporary budget passed last spring will expire in early 2017. Governor Rauner said he is convinced a budget deal and some of his economic reforms can be passed before the new General Assembly is sworn in next year.
Speaker Madigan’s public comments alluded to only wanting to deal with a budget and not address Governor Rauner’s long-sought economic reforms. The Governor has been clear he will not sign off any new revenue, which will likely be needed for a budget, without reforms.
NFIB joined Governor Rauner at a press conference this week where we reiterated small business owners strong support of the governor and his efforts to fight for a balanced budget along with workers’ compensation reform and other economic reforms.