Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) lamented his party's inability to stop what he described as another unbalanced budget from passing the Senate on Wednesday.
According to the Daily Herald, Democrats passed seven of nine budget items that are part of a $36.5 billion spending package that includes borrowing billions of dollars to repay overdue bills, a property tax freeze, and an increase of the state income tax to 4.95 percent from its current 3.76 percent.
"Sadly, the Senate majority rushed through a spending plan that was not agreed upon by both sides of the aisle," Fowler said, according to a press release. "The majority took a step back from good faith negotiations when both sides are so close to a meaningful deal."
Fowler has called for further meetings on a budget solution rather than approving the a budget based on tax increases and education cuts.
“I was particularly concerned that Southern Illinois University and our community colleges would have taken yet another step back through reduced funds from Springfield," he said.
The budget package is now under consideration by the House.
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