(AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed a short-term budget fix on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to give the state some temporary stability during a nearly yearlong spat between the Republican and Democratic lawmakers over a spending plan.
Rauner's proposal would fund public schools through next year and provide support for financially-strapped social service providers and higher-education institutions.
After the meeting with the governor, Republican House Leader Jim Durkin called it "laughable" to believe there isn't enough time to pass a temporary fix and said Democrats have "been able to move mountains in matters of minutes" when they want to approve something.
Rauner wants business-friendly legislation that he says will spur economic growth in exchange for signing off on a tax increase to address a $5 billion deficit.
Rauner's temporary budget proposal suggests funding public schools so they can open in the fall, though the memo did not provide a funding figure for schools.
