Will legislative Democrats and Republicans work together on a new state budget?

Most Democrats were cheering and everyone's tongues were wagging last week in Springfield after legislative Republicans put forth a budget-cutting plan designed to produce a balanced budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Senate President John Cullerton issued a statement in which he said "we applaud the Senate Republicans for coming to the table with suggestions on how to mend our fiscal crisis."

Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan have been regularly calling for the Republicans to offer specific proposals on how best to address the state's fiscal woes. So it was a significantly positive move for them when Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno released a lengthy statement outlining nearly $7 billion in possible cuts.

The General Assembly is rewriting Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed $52.7 billion budget, which includes $1.7 billion in new spending over this year's deficit-ridden budget.

The Quinn budget was pronounced dead on arrival. But legislators will have their hands full writing a new one that comes to grips with the state's massive budget deficit and overall debt.

With Republicans now at the table, Democrats are hoping they can hash out a budget plan everyone can accept.

Naturally, Quinn didn't realize what a favor the GOP had done him and proceeded to denounce the GOP proposal.

Someone, however, must have set the governor straight because his spokeswoman later described Quinn as "pleased" the GOP had put forth its recommendations.

It is, of course, healthy for the budget process that Republicans have set forth their budget alternative.

But some people might reasonably wonder why the Democrats are so desirous of hearing from the Republicans. Democrats control the governor's office and enjoy big majorities in both the House and Senate.

Republicans can't do anything without Democratic help, and Democrats can do whatever they want even in the face of unanimous GOP opposition. So what's up?

This is about spreading the blame around for unpopular budget cuts. Democratic leaders need Republican votes for unpopular cuts so they can allow vulnerable rank-and-file Democrats to vote no.

Some may naively view the biggest issue in Springfield as writing a new and balanced budget. But the most pressing issue is how the Democrats will maintain control of the General Assembly while coping with a horrific fiscal crisis. For that, they think they need Republicans' help and now they have it.