SPRINGFIELD - Although Gov. Rod Blagojevich has announced plans to cut $1.5 billion out of a budget nearly $2 billion out of whack, some lawmakers are calling his bluff.

Blagojevich's history of making claims, then falling short of fulfilling them, makes it hard for state Sen. Dale Righter to believe the governor will make the cuts.

"I don't think he's capable of that," said Righter, R-Mattoon. "He's had six years to demonstrate he can be prudent with state money. Unfortunately, what he has done is demonstrate an eagerness to cut the budget in smaller areas that are particularly sensitive to downstate Illinois."

Although the governor plans to halt new spending on soil and water conservation districts, University of Illinois Extension and other predominantly downstate agriculture programs, Blagojevich also says he'll cut $40.4 million from foster parent and children's services if new money isn't approved.

"Foster parents wouldn't get a rate increase, even though prices are increasing everywhere. They deserve to have a rate increase," Blagojevich budget spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said.

While Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Kendall Marlow agreed, he said spending the money now will save the state more than $40 million in long-term care.

"I think that child welfare is a field where some money spent wisely now can save a state a great number of expenses further down the line," Marlow said. "(Blagojevich) is very aware of it, which is why they're calling for the House to come back."

To prevent these spending shortfalls, the governor has asked House Speaker Michael Madigan to bring lawmakers back to Springfield to approve six revenue initiatives totaling about $2 billion.

Lawmakers don't see the governor's proposed cuts as a viable way of forcing Madigan's hand.

"He goes after these popular programs to strike fear into people," said state Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan. "He's blaming the House, but we passed a bare bones budget, and there were even some modest increases in the bare bones one."

Quinn said the governor is not using scare tactics or making empty threats.

"This deficit is very real," she said. "The governor does not want to make these reductions, but last year, tough vetoes were made, and he would make them again if necessary."

The state continued to operate through the current fiscal year, which ends Monday, with a $750 million budget hole.

"Cuts will have to be made if the House does not call these revenue bills, and these are reductions that would have an extremely profound impact on people across the state," Quinn said.

Righter thinks the governor will make some cuts, but those cuts will be far from the $1.5 billion Blagojevich outlined Tuesday.

"I think the governor ultimately relents, makes some symbolic cuts, and that's what the state limps along with through the election," Righter said.

Kartikay Mehrotra may be reached at kartikay.mehrotra@lee.net or 789-0865.