Rauner’s proposal to reinstate the death penalty is linked to gun control legislation supported by most Democratic lawmakers, including extending the waiting period for assault weapons from 24 to 72 hours. Also under consideration in the compromise deal is a ban on bump stocks for assault weapons and confiscating weapons from dangerous people.
In response to Rauner’s veto of the gun seller licensing bill in March, lawmakers are trying to pass a bipartisan bill.
What’s unclear is whether there will be a budget passed by deadline time this election year. There are less than two weeks left in the spring legislative session. Ralph Martire, the executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, says Rauner’s budget doesn’t add up.
“A little digging into the numbers reveals it would be a significant mistake — as in a $1.9 billion mistake — to take his fiscal year 2019 proposal at face value,” wrote Martire in a State Journal-Register op-ed.
“Start with his revenue projection, which includes $240 million from selling the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. That’d be great, but as of now, there’s no legal authority for the governor to sell the Thompson Center, and no bidders for the property,” wrote Martire.