SPRINGFIELD - Two downstate lawmakers are fighting back against Gov. Rod Blagojevich's threat to slash Illinois' agricultural funding.

The governor has threatened to cut funding across state government, including agriculture and university dollars, if legislation authorizing him to collect $530 million in unused state funds is not approved in the Illinois House. The governor said his goal is to fill a $750 million hole in the current budget.

State Sen. John Jones, R-Mount Vernon, and state Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hills, are calling for a hearing in Springfield so agencies threatened by the cuts can speak out.

"The administration has once again declared war on agriculture," Reis said. "They have tried unsuccessfully to eliminate tax exemptions in the past, and now they just want to end funding altogether."

University of Illinois Cooperative Extension programs, 4-H, soil and water conservation districts and the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research all have been urged to testify on the funding cuts and the impact of the governor's ultimatum.

The cuts could mean the elimination of 450 jobs at the University of Illinois Extension program, starting May 1.

The threat followed claims by university presidents that the governor directed them to ask lawmakers to vote for the $530 million fund sweeps legislation, otherwise school funding for the current fiscal year would also be cut.

However Reis and Jones' legislative hearing would focus on the proposed agricultural cuts.

"We will not go down without a fight," Reis said. "Holding back this funding, even for one year, might well mean the end of these programs. Someone has to stand up for agriculture."

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