Local and area lawmakers are submitting mixed reviews to Governor Pat Quinn’s much-discussed budget address. 

Quinn described himself as a realist during his short budget speech yesterday in Springfield. He says that’s the reason he scaled back his proposal to raise Illinois income taxes. 97th District State Representative Jim Watson says not increasing taxes, like previously mentioned, is a good first step for Quinn.

Now, Quinn’s calling for an increase of one percent to be used solely for preventing deep cuts to education. Currently, the state’s share of income tax is three percent. Quinn is also proposing $2 billion dollars in cuts, with education taking a hit of $1.3 billion.

93rd District State Representative Jil Tracy agrees with Watson. She says before education is put on the chopping block, Springfield lawmakers should first look at fiscal reform.

Quinn’s budget proposal is also slated to cut guaranteed money for Illinois’ municipal governments. Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard says the possible cuts hurt local governments more than it helps the state. He says local municipalities like Jacksonville have already seen a 15 percent cut in state funds, so the timing couldn’t be worse.

Quinn says the rest of the state’s record-breaking $13 billion budget deficit should be addressed mostly by borrowing money and letting more unpaid bills pile up.