Will Democrats Bring GOP into Budget Talks?
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), a new House Democrat budget negotiator. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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Republicans in Springfield have criticized Democrats in recent years for being “left out” of any state budget talks, but new House Democrat budget negotiators say they plan to have the GOP at the table.
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) were appointed the new House Democrat budget negotiators, or “budgeteers” as they’re known in the Capitol.
I spoke to Buckner on the radio last week, who said he’s going to bring Republicans to the table.
“I am extremely committed to making sure that my Republican colleagues have a seat at the table, that we're a part of these conversations we've actually begun to be to speak already,” Buckner said. “Listen, everybody in my chamber represents 108,000 people, and all of those people are Illinoisans and Illinoisans to me, deserve leadership.”
He said the GOP hasn’t been formally involved in any talks yet, but has had some “one offs” with Republican leadership.
The Senate has generally had more cordial budget conversations in recent years.
Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) reacted to Buckner’s comments with trepidation.
“Of course they do, because they're in a jam now,” Rose said. “Wen you look at this historically under the supermajority Democrats, anytime they get themselves in spending trouble, which, you know, they can't help themselves. When it comes time to cut anything, they're like, oh, hey, where are the Republicans, you guys? You know, you guys can help us.”
In the House, though, the GOP hasn’t seen any outreach yet.
Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), the House Republican budgeteer, says they’ve “heard” Democrats want to talk, but haven’t had any formal meetings.
“We will see,” she said.
