Latest news with #statefunding
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois lawmakers pass $55 billion state budget Saturday
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Shortly after state legislators passed the fiscal year 2026 state budget, reactions poured in from politicians who were split down party lines. Many Republicans shared the same sentiment that the new budget was 'bloated' with what they felt were tax increases that hurt working-class Illinoians. The state Democrats, on the other hand, rejoiced over the budget, with many claiming it would help fund much-needed entities such as schools and healthcare and help offset turmoil in Washington, D.C. Republican Rep. Ryan Spain, who represents the House's 73rd District, which includes areas north of Peoria such as Dunlap, Princeton, and Geneseo, denounces the budget and what he says is nearly $1 billion in tax hikes. 'Our state has been in an uncertain financial position for decades, thanks to years and years of financial malfeasance at the hands of the Democratic majority, who have maintained their artificial majority thanks to some of the worst gerrymandering in the entire country,' he said. 'So, it doesn't surprise me that Democrats again violated their own House Rules to ram through the near-largest spending plan in state history that robs the road fund to pay for standard operating expenses, gives legislators another pay rise, diverts funds meant for property tax relief and slaps the people of the state of Illinois with $1 billion in tax hikes. This budget doubles down on years of failed economic strategy that has caused our state to fall behind all our neighbors. The people of the state of Illinois deserve better from their government.' Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler, who represents the Senate's 46th District, including Peoria, East Peoria, and most of Bloomington, celebrated the passing of the budget, citing the support of healthcare. 'This year's budget demonstrates our commitment to providing all Illinois residents with high-quality access to health care,' Koehler stated. 'Our Investment in community-based providers makes certain that essential healthcare services remain available and open for vulnerable residents both in the 46th district and across the state.' Republican Rep. Dennis Tipsword, who represents Illinois' House's 105th district, and he felt the budget was 'bloated' and is sending Illinois 'down the wrong path.' 'The more things change, the more they stay the same in Illinois. Democrats have passed another bloated budget that includes $1 billion in targeted tax increases,' Dennis Tipsword (R-Metamora) said. 'On top of the tax increases, Democrats rewarded themselves with a huge pay raise and pork projects dedicated to their districts. 'Spending has increased by 38 percent in the last six years, a path and pattern that is simply unsustainable. The process to pass this year's budget was again shrouded in secrecy and behind closed doors,' he said. Democratic Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, who represents the House's 92nd District, including Peoria, Peoria Heights, and Bartonville, feels it is a responsible and compassionate budget that supports schools, healthcare and helps tackle challenges in Washington, D.C. 'This document puts people first, and reflects a balanced approach in a challenging time,' Gordon-Booth said. 'We're unable to count on the federal government to be an ally on critical issues that help families, and the economic uncertainty caused by reckless cuts and tariff plans further compelled us to develop a forward-thinking budget that has flexibility with funding reserves. By making necessary cuts, we're ensuring we can maximize our resources on priorities that matter to families. 'We took steps forward, but more work remains. I'm going to continue fighting for families so that we can build a brighter future for every community,' she said. Republican Sen. Neil Anderson, who represents the Senate's 47th district, which includes Pekin, Kewanee and Carthage, stated that this is the largest budget in Illinois history, and it hurts Illinois families. 'While Illinois families are cutting back to survive, Democrats just pushed through a $55 billion spending plan, the largest in state history,' he said. 'Worse yet, it comes with nearly a billion dollars in new tax hikes. The budget will mark a nearly 40% increase in state spending since Governor Pritzker took office. 'Our state is already one of the most overtaxed in the nation, yet instead of providing relief to working families and small businesses, Democrats chose greed over responsibility. The result? Businesses are closing. Families are fleeing. And Springfield's insiders keep cashing in while the rest of us pay the price. This isn't leadership, it's exploitation. It's economic warfare against the very people they claim to serve,' he said. Republican Sen. Li Arellano Jr., who represents the Senate's 37th District, which includes Dunlap, Geneseo and Dixon, shared a very similar sentiment as his colleague Anderson. 'Illinois Democrats have just rammed through the largest and most reckless budget in our state's history, over $55 billion in spending, passed with zero transparency, minimal debate, and no regard for the taxpayers who are footing the bill,' he said. 'This isn't leadership. It's political corruption, plain and simple, snuck in during a midnight vote. 'To make matters worse, they're hitting working families with nearly a billion dollars in new taxes. Democrats keep demanding more from you while delivering less. Less public safety. Fewer job opportunities. Less economic growth.' Gov. JB Pritzker shared the same views as his Democratic Party members, saying this was his seventh balanced budget. 'The passage of the FY26 balanced budget is a testament to Illinois' fiscal responsibility,' Pritzker said. 'Even in the face of Trump and Congressional Republicans stalling the national economy, our state budget delivers for working families without raising their taxes while protecting the progress we are making for our long-term fiscal health. I'm grateful to Speaker Welch, President Harmon, the budget teams, and all the legislators and stakeholders who collaborated to shape and pass this legislation. I look forward to signing my seventh balanced budget in a row and continuing to build a stronger Illinois.' Republican Rep. Travis Weaver, who serves the House's 93rd District, which contains Pekin, Brimfield, and Kewanee, shared his quarrels with the budget, saying it is 'outrageous and egregious spending.' 'This year's $55.2 billion budget is $2 billion more than last year and 38 percent higher than it was just six years ago. This is outrageous and egregious spending, and to top it off the majority party is raising taxes by $1 billion to 'balance' their budget hole, he said. 'Illinois does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. We have to tighten our belts, cut waste, and respect our taxpayers and their hard-earned dollars. 'This year's budget process once again involved zero transparency and bills introduced in the final moments of session with no time for actual debate or input. The budget is so bloated it required multimillion-dollar pork projects targeted for Democrat-controlled districts intended to gain their 'yes' vote,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
2026 Maryland budget among bills being signed into law by Gov. Moore
Maryland's 2026 budget will be among more than 160 bills that will be signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Wes Moore. The nearly $67 billion spending plan was crafted to address the state's $3 million deficit and the impact of federal funding cuts. What does Maryland's 2026 budget include? The 2026 state budget includes about $1.8 billion in tax and fee increases. It includes the largest amount of cuts to state spending in 16 years. Gov. Moore has been vocal about his plan to increase taxes for the highest earners in the state. His budget will create two new tax brackets: One for those who make $500,000 per year and another for those who make $1 million per year. Under the budget, residents who make $500,000 will be taxed at 6.25% and those who make $1 million will be taxed at 6.5%. Low- and middle-income residents will see tax breaks under the 2026 budget. The budget will also create a new 3% tax on IT services and increase taxes on cannabis and sports betting. Lawmakers agreed to make about $2.3 billion in cuts from the 2026 budget. "Because of our emphasis on growth, our biggest framework will emphasize spending cuts over tax increases," Gov. Moore said. 164 new bills signed into Maryland law On Tuesday, Gov. Moore will sign a total of 164 bills into Maryland law, including a few that focus on the rising cost of energy in the state. For example, the Renewable Energy Certainty Act will allow for the construction of solar energy generating systems and will launch a Power Plant Research Program to propose site and design requirements. The Next Generation Energy Act will also be signed into law on Tuesday, allowing the Department of Housing and Community Development to issue loans and grants aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from residential buildings. The law will also require the Maryland Energy Administration to work with neighboring states and federal agencies to develop new nuclear energy stations. The governor will also sign the Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Now Act, a law that will expand Maryland's Prescription Drug Affordability Board and allow it to determine ways to lower drug prices. One of the bills signed Tuesday focuses on immigration laws in the state. The Maryland Values Act prevents federal law enforcement from carrying out immigration actions at sensitive locations such as schools and libraries. The law, which will go into effect on June 1, 2025, will also require the attorney general to develop guidelines for immigration enforcement at sensitive locations.
CBS News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Colorado governor threatens to withhold grants from cities that don't comply with housing laws
Gov. Jared Polis is putting local governments on notice: Either they comply with state housing laws, or they risk losing at least $100 million a year in state funding. Gov. Jared Polis speaks to CBS Colorado Friday, May 16, 2025 about the executive order he signed directing local governments to comply with state housing laws. If they don't, he says they run the risk of losing hundreds of millions in state funding. CBS The governor signed an executive order that takes the battle over local control to a new level. Over the last two years, he's signed bills regarding residential occupancy limits and accessory dwelling units, transit-oriented communities and manufactured homes, and even limits on staircases and parking spots. But not everyone is on board with the new laws. Some local governments have flat out refused to comply. So the governor is upping the ante. "What we are doing now is making sure we are putting our money where our mouth is," Gov. Polis told CBS Colorado. Polis signed an executive order that requires the Colorado Division of Local Government to track which cities and counties are implementing the new laws and which aren't. Those that are would receive priority when it comes to dozens of discretionary grants related to economic development, transportation and energy efficiency. "We need all our communities to step up and be part of the housing solution," Polis said. Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally says many of the new laws are unworkable in her city, where she says only 2% of the land is undeveloped, and water is scarce. What's more, she says, the Colorado Constitution gives home rule cities like Westminster control over land use. "We don't need the state telling us what to do when, in the [state] Constitution, it states that is our job," McNally told CBS Colorado. "And we take that seriously." So seriously that Westminster City Council directed staff not to comply with certain laws, even if it means the city loses state funding. Over the last five years, Westminster has received $6 million in grants for 44 different projects. Some cities were already contemplating legal action. The executive action could be the final straw. "This comes down to local control," McNally said. The governor disagrees. "I hope this leads them to think twice about it because housing is a statewide issue," Polis said. The executive order is not only drawing fire from some local governments but Colorado House Republicans. State Rep. Chris Richardson, the ranking Republican on the Transportation Housing and Local Government Committee, called the order, "government overreach masquerading as housing reform." Richardson says Polis's strategy of threatening to withhold funds to force compliance mirrors President Donald Trump's, which the governor has criticized. In a statement, the governor's office said, Trump is, "ripping the rug out from states by removing federal funding that was allocated and mandated by Congress in law. Governor Polis uses executive orders to implement the law not undermine or change it." The governor's office notes the housing laws were also passed by a majority of the legislature. State agencies will begin posting the grants impacted by the executive order in the next couple months. Those related to public health, safety or disaster relief are excluded
