What Will Gov. Blagojevich Do To DNR Budget?

On Wednesday at Noon, Governor Blagojevich will present his proposed FY 2009 state budget at a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. Rumors are rampant that he will propose a massive cut to the Department of Natural Resources budget. Here is a sampling of what we're hearing:

Associated Press: 

"Environmentalists and other lobbyists braced for major cuts rumored at the Department of Natural Resources, which oversees state parks and conservation areas."

Capitol Fax: 

"Word's going around that the new budget could eliminate nearly all General Revenue Funding for the Dept. of Natural Resources."

Bloomington Pantagraph:

"Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed budget could target everyone from people who use state parks to big business.

Although the final touches are still being made to the governor's latest spending proposal, officials acknowledge they've considered imposing entrance fees at state parks as a way to balance the budget in tough financial times."