Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn wants lawmakers to see what doomsday looks like if they don't pass a better state budget with an income tax increase.
So he's making the rounds of social service agencies to guilt lawmakers into doing what he wants.
This week, he stopped at a Chicago food bank to warn that people could go hungry if state aid is cut. And last week, he visited an agency where he says low-income families could lose services they depend on if budget cuts are made.
But skeptics say Quinn's guilt trip is too little, too late and it's a tactic former Gov. Rod Blagojevich overused.
Still others argue the debate over a tax increase can't truly get off the ground in tough economic times until officials cut waste and improve government efficiency.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
So he's making the rounds of social service agencies to guilt lawmakers into doing what he wants.
This week, he stopped at a Chicago food bank to warn that people could go hungry if state aid is cut. And last week, he visited an agency where he says low-income families could lose services they depend on if budget cuts are made.
But skeptics say Quinn's guilt trip is too little, too late and it's a tactic former Gov. Rod Blagojevich overused.
Still others argue the debate over a tax increase can't truly get off the ground in tough economic times until officials cut waste and improve government efficiency.
______
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
