Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Galesburg, has a novel idea: could the Agriculture Committee help solve Illinois’ budget crisis?

With budget talks stalled for more than 15 months, the Galesburg farmer-legislator has been working with Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, to move the budget forward in a meaningful way. Both legislators are in favor of introducing the budget – or at least parts of it - in the House Agriculture Committee instead of the more traditional Revenue Committee.

“The House Ag Committee has a long history of working in a bipartisan manor and is always willing to look for common ground and actually resolve differences,” Moffitt explains.

NEW ROUTE? Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Galesburg, believes there’s a chance for budget movement if they can take it through the often-more-collegial agriculture committee.

In working with Costello, who’s also chairman of the House Ag Committee, Moffitt hopes to suggest the idea to House Speaker Michael Madigan, who would then either approve or reject it. And while Moffitt allows the odds are “not real good,” he hopes the idea would stimulate creative thinking and end current stagnation.

“If the Speaker says, ‘No, go to Revenue,’ then we can say, ‘Ok, let’s move it that way,’” Moffitt describes, adding that the committee where the budget is sent will determine its life expectancy. “I don’t want to see it killed in committee,” he adds.

Moffitt, responding to talk of delaying budget votes until after the November elections, says that’s an irresponsible decision and legislators shouldn’t be afraid to vote. He adds that Illinois is on track to spend $37 billion to $38 billion without a budget in place, thanks to automatic expenditures and legal litigation.

“If you can’t stand to take a vote before the election, then you shouldn’t be in the legislature,” Moffitt says.

He adds that legislators owe it to Gov. Bruce Rauner to have an up or down vote on his proposals. “We need to vote on his $32 billion budget and several of his proposals. We owe it to the governor to vote on some of his Turnaround Agenda,” Moffitt says. He’d also like to see a vote on the $36 billion budget that includes a funding plan. He believes it’s still possible to pass meaningful, constitutional workers compensation and pension reform, plus property tax relief.

And why no vote so far? “There’s not been enough pressure brought to bear,” Moffitt says. “The Speaker controls it.”

“I just want to see these various ideas advance to the House floor for an up or down vote. I just want to see some movement. We need to get the governor’s proposals to the floor and get answers. Either it passes or it doesn’t. Then we know and can move forward,” he adds.

“Let’s vote. That’s what our job is.”