By Associated Press
Springfield, IL – State lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are giving a sour reaction to Governor Rod Blagojevich's new budget plan.
The governor is proposing giving tax breaks to families and businesses. He hopes to make the budget for next year work largely by recycling some revenue ideas he's tried in the past that lawmakers have rejected.
Legislators say they're eager to see more details of what Blagojevich wants to do, but see problems with his general plans. Senate President Emil Jones said it will take cooperation from all the leaders to get a budget deal done this year. Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson called the speech fluff and says the state can't afford to provide more than $1 billion in tax breaks in such a shaky budget.
House Speaker Michael Madigan expects the House will start work soon on developing its own budget.
Listen to the entire speech here. (MP3 format)