By Bill Raack, KWMU
Springfield, IL – Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich presented his first state of the state address to lawmakers today, proposing $88 million in new programs.
Some of the governor's proposals call for raising the minimum wage, universal access to preschool, reopening a shuttered prison and new efforts to cut the cost of prescription drugs.
Blagojevich says his agenda is ambitious but affordable. "With a nearly $5 billion budget deficit, I don't propose them lightly," the governor said.
"But these are not only investments we can afford to make, they're investments we can't afford not to make."
Governor Blagojevich says he will balance the budget without an increase in the state's income or sales tax.