Instead, Madigan indicated Democrats who control the legislature would plop a $36.3 billion spending plan in Rauner's lap and let him deal with it. The idea is to force Rauner to shoulder the blame for billions in budget cuts in the hopes that he'll feel enough heat to eventually sign on to a tax increase in the months ahead. But that's a political gamble for Democrats: The governor could use his powers to reduce certain spending, or veto the budget outright and blame Democrats for not making the tough decisions.