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May 31, 2011 Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) reports: As former Governor Rod Blagojevich takes the stand at his criminal trial in Chicago, the Illinois legislature is working to finish business before the scheduled May 31 adjournment date. With 3 days to go and an $8 billion dollar budget deficit, a state budget has not yet been proposed (on paper anyway) and new legislative district maps are the main focus of attention. It was reported earlier this week that the state may be considering holding back $200 million from funds that should go to local governments from collection of sales taxes. It appears they will also continue to sweep hundreds of designated funds (such as the fertilizer and pesticide funds) to pay for Medicaid, continue to delay paying the state's bills and Governor Quinn reportedly asked for $300 million in the budget to spend any way he wishes. If you are owed a state refund on your corporate income taxes from this year or previous years, don't count on getting paid any time soon. Our state is in as bleak a shape, if not worse, then it was before they raised personal and corporate incomes taxes 67% last January. What will be next? We'll be watching closely for last-minute revenue enhancement attempts in the budget that would further erode the business climate in Illinois. On a related note, SB 2010 seeking to protect fertilizer research funds from being diverted to the state's general fund has hit a road block. Despite passing the Senate unanimously, having no opposition and the support of all the ag organizations, all the environmental organizations, the IL Dept of Ag and IEPA, the bill is being held in the House Executive Committee, where House leadership sends the bills they want to control. We are seeking to keep the bill alive and IFCA will continue to pursue this necessary change to the Illinois Fertilizer Act. Sometimes there isn't any kind of reason given as to why things happen or don't happen at our state capitol. To sum it all up, it's just a mess. Tweet |
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