SPRINGFIELD - After weeks of virtual silence on the subject, the man who pays the state's bills says Gov. Pat Quinn has "confused" the public about the state's budget problems with an inconsistent message.

In a three page letter to the governor, Comptroller Dan Hynes said Quinn has "needlessly incited fear and panic" in calling for cuts to social service programs, while also pledging support for several different types of income tax increases.

"In a sense, we have all been given a false choice: raise taxes by $4 to $5 billion or cut human services by the same amount," noted Hynes, who is considered a possible candidate for governor or attorney general in 2010.

With just a week left in the state's fiscal year, Hynes says Quinn and lawmakers should start over when it comes to the budget debate.

"Call on the legislature to pass a 60-day budget that keeps education, health care and other vital services at current levels," Hynes wrote.

Under that scenario, Hynes said lawmakers and the governor would then have the time to identify ways to reduce spending, raise revenue and enact budgetary reforms in order to convince the public to support a tax hike.

Among his suggested cuts are the elimination of foreign trade offices and the state air fleet. Hynes also said a 5 percent cut in certain state spending would save money, but not completely eliminate needed state services.

Quinn signaled Tuesday that he wants a final vote on a spending plan by the end of the fiscal year June 30.

"I really feel that its imperative that we deal with this issue front and center right now and get it done," Quinn said.

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