Latest news with #republican
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers unveil $55.2 billion state budget as deadline looms
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — With just over a day to get it passed, lawmakers unveiled their state budget for the coming fiscal year. It includes $55.2 billion dollars in spending, and is balanced using just over one billion dollars in new tax increases and revenue streams. The full details of the revenue plan have not been released, but the Senate's top budgeteer said there are no broad based tax increases — such as increases to the income tax and sales tax, or the creation of a service tax — in this budget. 'There are no broad based tax increases in this budget,' Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) said. 'It's not an increase in the in the individual or corporate income tax increase. What you'll see is there are there's a recognition that there are there are we try to make sure that individuals pay their fair share and the corporations who are the most prosperous but most profitable also pay their fair share.' That falls in line with Governor Pritzker's wishes. He said earlier this week he would veto any budget that included broad tax increases. Instead, the budget will rely on a mixture of one-time revenue streams and increases in certain 'sin taxes' on the sale of cigarettes and vapes. Full details of the tax plan will be released Saturday. The budget dropped around 6 pm on Friday night, giving lawmakers about 30 hours to get it through both chambers. Governor Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon, and House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, met Friday afternoon to discuss the budget. In a break from tradition, however, Democrat leaders did not meet with Republican leaders before the budget was dropped. That left Republican budget leaders to try and sort their way through the over 3,000 pages of spending details while in committee. 'This is a $55.2 billion budget in a year when we talk about a tough budget year and having to make cuts and I'm not hearing about any cuts to speak of in this budget and obviously my Democratic colleagues can't help themselves but include another $237 million in pork projects for their districts. If this is a tough budget year, don't do that,' Republican Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) said. New republican members of the legislature were stunned with how the process has gone. 'This is a $55 billion organization,' Sen. Chris Balkema (R-Pontiac) said. 'I came from Caterpillar. We had about 60 billion in sales. There is no other organization that would ever run like this. The budget got dropped an hour ago. We're supposed to vote on it in 24 hours. They're in there in a hearing going through a 3300 page PDF file, like a show and tell in second grade. It's absolutely insane. It's no way to run the state.' All year, lawmakers have talked about complexity of this budget negotiation. The state needed to address revenue shortfalls from last year, and many on the democratic side of the aisle were concerned about impacts that federal cuts from the Trump Administration could have on the budget. House democrat Will Guzzardi said Friday night that the one time revenue streams used to balance this budget are meant to address what he described as the volatile actions of the Trump administration and how they impact the economy. All week, details about the budget plan have been nebulous. It's not unusual for budgets to be dropped this close to the deadline, but members on both sides of the aisle were noticeably more in the dark about the direction were negotiations were going. The spending plan would continue the state's increases in spending for the K-12 schools evidence based funding model. The additional dollars will be dispersed to schools that are furthest away from an 'adequacy target in the formula. It also cuts the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program. The controversial program gave non-citizens between the ages of 42 and 64 access to state-sponsored health care. The program has come under fire by Republicans and moderate democrats, both because the costs for the program came in way higher than what was originally anticipated, and because of the actions on immigration from the Federal Government. The Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors Program, which gives the same access to non citizens over the age of 64, is still funded with a 110 million dollar appropriation. House Democrat Leader Lisa Hernandez championed these programs when they passed. After the House budget hearing on Friday night, she talked about how disappointing it was to see the program cut. 'It's a budget that's going to hurt,' Hernandez said. 'It's going to hurt. I mean we're doing our best to get through and prioritize, but it's become very difficult. This was a priority of mine. But, you know, it's give and take and I'm happy that we got a 110 for our seniors.' She did not say for certain whether she, or other members of the Latino Caucus, would support the budget. 'We'll see.' Hernandez said when asked about her vote. Both the House and the Senate must pass the budget by a simple majority by the end of the day. If they do not get that done, the vote thresholds needed to pass go up to three-fifths of each chamber that hasn't passed it yet. Democrats have supermajorities in both chambers, so they could pass the budget without republican votes in either chamber. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
National Post
7 days ago
- General
- National Post
Geoff Russ: The dreary impotence of Canadian republicans. Long live the King
Article content It is not a coincidence that some of our most radical republicans, like William Lyon Mackenzie, have been traitors willing to spill blood in the pursuit of their goal. Article content Thankfully, today's republicans are reduced to the status of being frustrated, challenged lack of inspiration and vigour in their movement is why it continues to fail. It has its vocal advocates, but they are a politically and culturally impotent rabble when taken as a whole. Article content Some among them have even attempted to cite the Bible as a reason for removing the monarch, proclaiming that its text goes against the elevation of any one man. They should read further into that same book and find the words 'Fear God, Honour the King.' Article content If republicans are bewildered by the affinity that Canadians retain for the monarchy, it is because their vision of the country is dull, unremarkable, and grey. A republican Canada is one stripped of elegance and tradition, rendered into a purely managerial and bureaucratic state where obscure public servants occupy the position of head of state. Article content People desire something beyond crass political contests in their leaders. In 2025, this world of ours is incredibly flat, digital, and racked with presentism, where genuine beauty, transcendent majesty, and time-tested refinement are in short supply. Article content There is something deeply uplifting about the Crown, and all of its pageantry and resonance help to swell national pride, which Canada sorely needs. These intangible qualities enliven society and renew or create a sense of wonder for millions, a gift not easily found and impossible to recover if lost. Article content For those that do care about preserving a distinct Canada, the Crown is a point of connection that links us with long-buried generations through rituals and continuity. Critics call it irrational, but so is love, friendship, and the other parts of life that motivate and drive human beings more fiercely than anything material. Article content A Canada with a Crown is the country that it was intended to be in 1867, and fidelity to that is an act of patriotism. This past federal election saw a renewed sense of Canadian nationalism, albeit expressed in strange and lowbrow ways like the worship of ketchup chips and nostalgia for Molson Canadian beer commercials from the 1990s. Article content Nonetheless, it displayed that the Canadian people still have a desire to be distinct. The celebrations and parades marking King Charles III's visit to Canada this week are the healthiest expressions of that seen in years. Article content The monarchy's popularity in Canada tends to grow whenever it makes itself present here, and it ought to do that more often and remind people why it exists. Article content When the late Prince Philip visited Canada in 1969, he perfectly summed up why we still continue to have a sovereign. Article content
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Putin is playing with fire, says Trump
Vladimir Putin is playing with fire over his continued assault of Ukraine, Donald Trump has warned. The US president heaped further criticism on the Russian leader after he launched the biggest drone and missile attacks on Ukraine since the war began almost four years ago. 'What Vladimir Putin doesn't realise is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!' Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social. A record number of Russian drones killed at least 13 people across Ukraine at the weekend, despite a prisoner exchange and the US pushing for a truce. The rebuke from Mr Trump is the latest display of his apparent shifting attitude towards Putin. On Monday, the US president called Vladimir Putin 'absolutely crazy' for his attacks on Ukrainian cities in some of his strongest criticism to date. Credit: US Network Pool / Reuters Mr Trump, who is growing increasingly frustrated with the pace of peace talks, could move ahead with new sanctions on Russia in the coming days. Options were drawn up in the past several weeks to apply new measures punishing Moscow, but they have yet to be approved by Mr Trump in fear they could push Russia away from negotiations entirely, according to CNN. In the aftermath of the missile and drone bombardment, the president said he would 'absolutely' consider new sanctions. 'He's killing a lot of people,' Mr Trump said of Putin. 'I don't know what's wrong with him. What the hell happened to him?' Lawmakers are lobbying Mr Trump to ratchet up US sanctions after the weekend attacks. Spearheaded by republican Senator Lindsey Graham, the bill aims to impose 'crippling' measures on Moscow. It would include massive secondary sanctions, aimed at countries who trade with Putin, including 500 per cent tariffs on those that buy Russian energy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House votes to approve state budget after hours of heated conversations
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma House lawmakers voted to approve the state's $12.6 billion budget Tuesday. It's part of the approval process for the budget to go through both the House and Senate and then to Governor Kevin Stitt. Representative Trey Caldwell (R-Faxon) was the chair of the Joint Committee for Appropriations and Budget, which works to build the budget throughout the session. 'This budget is not perfect,' said Caldwell. 'But it is a very good budget, and I stand behind it.' Rep. John Pfeiffer (R-Orlando) said the budget was the most transparent process that republican lawmakers have experienced. Both sides of the House agreed on a few items: spending $200 million on a pediatric heart hospital through the University of Oklahoma and $250 million on a facility for OSU's veterinary school. Cosmetologists try to convince lawmakers to override governor's veto House Democrats were far from happy, however, with other ways their Republican counterparts planned to spend taxpayer dollars. They questioned and debated the budget for several hours Tuesday.'In this budget, we are leaving Oklahomans out,' said Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater). Rep. Michelle McCane (D-Tulsa) said there was a lack of future thinking and a lack of genuine concern for Oklahomans in the proposed budget. Democrats also questioned the timing of a quarter-percent tax cut and flat budgets for some state agencies. House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City) said it left no room to help many struggling Oklahomans. 'I still think we can do more for teachers. There were policies put forth on increasing teacher pay from both sides of the aisle, from members, from both chambers,' said Munson. 'There's still more we can do.' House Democrats also said they were not part of the budget plan, but Republicans said they had an open-door policy during the process. 'If you're claiming your, you didn't have input on the budget, it's because you didn't take advantages of the opportunities that were offered,' said Rep. John Pfeiffer (R-Orlando).'When I hear my colleagues say, 'You had every chance to come and talk to us and share your concerns,'' said Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater). 'We have, but we are always met with 'No, not this year.''The budget will now have to go before the full Senate for a vote, and if approved, it will be sent to Gov. Stitt's desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Get your stuff together': Dem strategist issues warning to his party ahead of 2026 midterms
(INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) — A democratic strategist is issuing a stark warning to lawmakers in his own party ahead of the 2026 midterms: 'Get your stuff together. Really show people the urgency that they feel in their lives.' Kevin Liao told host Nikki Laurenzo on Inside California Politics this week that democrats too often risk coming across as 'out of touch' when they side with special interest groups and should instead shift their attention toward communicating with constituents. Liao referenced the recent debacle over sex trafficking legislation in Sacramento and former Vice President Kamala Harris' stance on funding sex change operations for inmates. '[Advocacy groups] have really good intentions,' Liao said. 'But what happens is, they tend to drag the Democratic Party into these politically untenuous situations.' Liao has a long history within the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels. He has served as the press secretary for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. Liao also worked as the communications director for Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz as she campaigned across battleground states for the Harris-Walz ticket. In 2020, Liao worked on Senator Elizabeth Warren's presidential primary campaign in Iowa and California and President Joe Biden's general election campaign in Nevada. Liao said California could see an even bigger red shift in 2026 if democrats don't do a better job at gauging the most important issues on voters' minds — something he says the Republican Party is doing successfully. Liao referenced a recent campaign video by republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton in which Hilton sits down with a Latino family at a taqueria in East Los Angeles. 'You have a republican going into a community like that and talking to people. I don't know the last time I've seen a democrat do that, but its been a while,' Liao said. 'Its something that folks certainly need and should be doing.' The interview also touched on former President Joe Biden's election loss and new developments on his health during the 2024 campaign. Republican State Senator Tony Strickland joined the show to talk about Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed budget. Inside California Politics airs this weekend during the following times: KTLA: Sunday, May 18 at 5:30 a.m. KRON: Saturday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. KSEE: Saturday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 8:30 a.m. KSWB: Sunday, May 18 at 5:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. KGET: Sunday, May 18 at 11:30 p.m. KTXL: Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 7:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
