Rauner calls budget veto road to 'fiscal sanity'

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says he's vetoed budget bills lawmakers sent him inorder to start the road back to "fiscal sanity."

Legislative Democrats backed a spending plan that's as much as $4 billion short on revenue. But theRepublican governor vetoed 19 bills Thursday. Both sides have previously they're interested in acompromise and legislators have been working in overtime sessions in Springfield.

Rauner explained his vetoes further in a Chicago Tribune op-edpublished online Thursday.

He says signing the budget would be kicking the can down the road and he wants there reforms,including term limits and redistricting.

Rauner says he's also interested in a pension overhaul this year that takes elements of a plan backedby Senate President John Cullerton and his own administration.

But Illinois Democrats are criticizing Rauner's move to veto budget legislation.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie says now lawmakers have to start from ground zero soclose to the new fiscal year starting July 1.

Senate President John Cullerton's spokeswoman says it appears Rauner would rather move toward ashutdown than compromise.

House Speaker Michael Madigan says Rauner missed an opportunity to avoid "disrupting the lives"of middle class families over non-budget issues

Rauner says his vetoes will help move Illinois toward "fiscal sanity."

Lawmakers plan to meet next week.

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