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* Greg Hinz has a must-read story which looks at how a bipartisan bill requiring means testing of seniors to qualify for free mass transit rides was killed in the Senate Executive Committee this week…
By a narrow 6-7 vote, the committee rejected the bill co-sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Martin Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat, and Christine Radogno, the Senate GOP leader from La Grange. All seven votes came from Democrats.
And they did it even though the biggest Senate Democrat of them all, President John Cullerton, voted to move the bill to the Senate floor — and even though the Executive Committee traditionally does exactly what the Senate president wants it to do. […]
Mr. Cullerton’s spokeswoman says the president prides himself on not being a political boss but on allowing his members to vote their conscience. But that doesn’t explain why after Senate Executive Committee member Donald Harmon came down with food poisoning — he quite possibly would have voted for the bill —Mr. Cullerton replaced him on the committee with a definite “no” vote, Sen. Donne Trotter.
So Mr. Cullerton voted “yes” — reflecting the view of his district, his spokeswoman says. But he took an action to kill the bill upon which he voted “yes.”
Sen. Trotter is a regular replacement for members who can’t make Exec meetings, but Greg is certainly correct that Cullerton could’ve moved that bill to the floor if he wanted to. Instead, it was a nicely orchestrated bit of theater.
Is it any wonder the state can’t get a handle on its $13 billion deficit?
Our so-called statesmen in Springfield — led on this one by Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat — can’t even deny a free bus ride to a senior who can comfortably do without it.
The true insult is to the many seniors who say they are willing to give up this little perk for the good of the greater cause — fixing the state’s budget mess. They know shameless pandering when they see it.
If this is the best Springfield can do, why drag out this legislative session another day?
Let’s give up now.
Phil Kadner cut the Dems a new one…
They’ve failed to pay for state employees’ pension systems, which have become an unsustainable burden on the state. They’re months behind in making payments to hospitals, doctors and school districts.
Why not give free rides to seniors? In fact, why not give free rides to everyone?
Senior citizens I have encountered think the perk is madness. If a person can afford to pay his way, let him, they say.
I don’t know where the Tea Party folks are on this one.
And there were thousands of people rallying outside the state Capitol, begging for tax hikes to avoid cuts, when the Senate Democrats proudly protected free rides for seniors. If ever elected officials should have been run out of town on a rail, that was the moment.
* Speaking of this week’s rally, I’m not sure that Neil Steinberg fully understands who was at the event. He claims they were all “state workers.” Not true, unless you think teachers are state employees. Also, there were tons of employees of not-for-profit groups and companies at the event…
Still, I would have felt better had those been private-sector Illinoisans begging for more taxes. But that would be unlikely, given those most affected by government cuts — the poor, the sick, children — aren’t about to bus themselves to Springfield and wave signs.
There were plenty of poor people at that rally. All he had to do was read the coverage.
* The Responsible Budget Coalition has a new TV ad slamming “the politicians in Springfield” for wanting to “walk away” from the budget morass and adjourn early. “Don’t let them come home without a responsible budget,” the ad concludes. Watch it…
* Also worth a read is Eric Zorn’s long examination of Adam Andrzejewski’s demand for a forensic audit…
When I reached the Council of State Governments in Lexington, Ky., executive director David Adkins told me, “I’d never heard the term until your phone call today.”
Adkins is important because he was a Republican state legislator in Kansas from 1993 until 2005, and those who are now calling for a forensic audit of Illinois government frequently claim that a forensic audit in the Jayhawk State in 2003 saved taxpayers $1 billion.
It’s true, said Adkins, that then-Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius instituted an aggressive review of state spending practices early in her first term. “But most of the savings came from picking low-hanging fruit,” he said, such as selling off state vehicles.
And he quoted Auditor General Bill Holland saying the audit wouldn’t save money…
“These resolutions would require my office to re-examine 135 million transactions and check all the details on about 50,000 contracts a year going back nine years,” said Illinois Auditor General William Holland. “It would be a mind-boggling, astronomical cost. We’re talking hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Holland, whose office is nonpartisan, was once chief of staff to former Democratic Senate President Phil Rock. And though Holland formally takes no position on any bill, he said it’s “very doubtful” that such an undertaking would pay for itself.
Andrzejewski vehemently disagrees and Zorn lays out his entire reasoning, so go check it out.
* Jamey Dunn, meanwhile, writes about Senate Republican claims that Gov. Quinn’s net budget cuts only amount to $200 million…
“The governor came out and wants to convince people that he heard the people of this state when they said they want government to rein in spending. He is trying to convince people he’s going to cut $2.6 billion, when it’s clear that at best, he’s got $200 million up there in unspecified cuts [if his proposed 1 percentage point tax increase passes], and this is from a guy who’s got a track record of claiming he is going to cut and not having the guts to go ahead and do it,” he said.
However, Kelly Kraft, spokeswoman for Quinn’s Office of Management and Budget, said if the governor’s proposed income tax increase passes, there would still be $900 million in cuts. She added that Quinn is seeking to make $400 million more in reductions, in addition to the cuts he proposed in March.
Since it’s highly doubtful that the approximately $3 billion income tax hike will pass, this is mostly an empty argument.
* Related…
* Rep. Jack Franks: Want to solve the budget crisis? Say no to spending
* Speaker Michael Madigan, Where Did the Money Go? - by Adam Andrzejewski
* Quinn Backs Off Music Downloads Tax
* Illinois education groups underscore tax hike request
* Groups continue lobby effort to block budget cuts
* Where will the funding come from?
* Community colleges need bigger slice of aid
* Community colleges could be able to take out loans
* Canoe czar is symbol of much bigger problem
* More school options needed; vouchers a good tool to have
* Momentum for choice
* Group rallies for after-school care
* State bill would guarantee most rape kits would be tested
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 10:47 am
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If read Blagojevich’s indictment and proffer… it strikes me that there certainly was plenty of waste, fraud and abuse totally well over “a couple hundred million dollars” that is happily continuing on, even though Blagojevich is gone.
Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 10:54 am
I’m going to guess Holland knows a little something about what he’s talking about. Has Adam A. ever read any auditor general reports?
What did Harmon have to eat, anyway?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 10:55 am
Both Adam and I have read those reports, yes. For instance, the recent one where it suggested a lack of fraud controls led to money “disappearing”. Popular estimates gauge that loss at $150 million…
But you’re position is that after 6 years of Rod selling everything not nailed down, all the sudden Illinois is running a tight fiscal ship with barely any, if any, waste, fraud and abuse?
Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:09 am
I believe Harmon had the sushi platter from the Rat
Comment by siriusly Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:13 am
==Popular estimates gauge that loss at $150 million…==
Popular estimates? Really?
Holland made it clear this would be costly, John. If you’re confident that the “waste, fraud, and abuse” could amount to more savings than the time and resources needed to perform such a task, make the case.
Comment by The Doc Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:15 am
Yeah, the idea that there’s not a lot of low hanging fruit is silly. Part of the rationale for booting Blago was “unconstitutional” programs that he started without the consent of the legislature. Rolling back those would be a good start.
And the “free rides for millionaire seniors” fiasco is another prime example. Granted, rolling that back wouldn’t save a ton of money. But it’s a start and represents zero political down-side. Their fear of even doing that shows how little backbone they have for getting our state under fiscal control.
Heck, what shocks me is that keeping the “free rides for millionaire seniors” if anything is a political LIABILITY. I wouldn’t be caught dead refusing to cut that stinker from the budget. But so many of these pols are stuck in the rut that “free stuff” is always good, even in the midst of a fiscal crisis and the very constituents it’s meant to benefit are telling them “we don’t mind…go ahead and cut it.”
Unless there’s some type of major donor/booster/union angle that I’m not seeing here, keeping that program is 100% politically tone deaf…even for big city/big spending liberals.
Comment by ABCBoy Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:18 am
== I don’t know where the Tea Party folks are on this one.==
Ya, right. They come out against free rides for seniors, the next thing you know the media will being saying they want seniors to eat cat food.
I’m not falling for that one again. Whatever stuff seniors want for free, I am not getting in the way of it.
Comment by Disgruntled Goat Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:25 am
It’s an election year. Let your state legislators have it.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:30 am
In years past, I actually sat in Holland’s over the years to review the work papers that comprised hundreds of audits.
Holland already examines and uncovers agency waste or “error identification”: from unused computers or office furniture; improper travel reimbursement/vouchers to mismanagement of program funding mandates.
Additionally, each state agency has its only separate, internal program audits on agency contracts, and Holland audits those audits.
“Fraud” is part the forensic part of the audit. “Billions” in savings would be the result of identifying a massive criminal enterprise involving thousands that no one has noticed.
Little to none gets by Holland.
Comment by David Ormsby Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:30 am
P.S. I, of course, mean letting them have all the ire they — both parties — have so richly earned.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:31 am
===
Ya, right. They come out against free rides for seniors, the next thing you know the media will being saying they want seniors to eat cat food.
I’m not falling for that one again. Whatever stuff seniors want for free, I am not getting in the way of it.
===
It still sort of puzzles me why seniors make such compelling avatars for “free stuff.” Unlike children, seniors presumably weren’t totally helpless for their entire life. They had from 18 to 65 to put a little savings aside-they weren’t always helpless. Picture a 45 year old ripping a toy from a 5 year old child because the 45 year old “needs it” and of course your blood boils. Forty years later picture that same man, now 85, doing the same thing metaphorically to a 45 year old and the political pressure is there to help him pull off the heist.
I know it’s compelling to say “we owe our seniors so much” but the reality is with federal entitlements, for every $1 they paid in they’re getting back $4 or $5. They’re making out like bandits generationally.
But the visceral visual remains of the relatively fragile older folks suffering. Nobody wants to be seen as “mean.” And older folks vote.
And so “free stuff” for the cute helpless old folks it is….
Comment by AnonToo Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:40 am
The forensic audit campaign is a scam, designed to impugn those who don’t go along with it.
I agree with Mr. Ormsby that the existing audit process (including not only the auditor general but internal auditors, mandated external audits and agency processing controls) makes it extremely difficult to steal money from the state. Of course some people do, but many of them get caught and some go to jail (including just recently a former DHS office supervisor).
Of course there are bad contracts and poorly administered contracts in every administration. But for anyone to say that misspent funds account for more an a small percentage of state spending (and hence the deficit) is just plain wrong. There are too many watchdogs out there.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 11:49 am
Hmmm we cantbeven fix this program that no one but Blago asked for or wanted but we should trust this group with billions more in tax revenue. This is a wasteful unwanted bad plan but the Dem leadership will not kill it or even amend it no way in the world taxes should be raised. This just shows how out of touch the politicans are with reality.
Comment by Fed up Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:00 pm
“Little to none gets by Holland”
Couldn’t agree more and something to keep in mind. Want to identify waste? Read his audits.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:10 pm
I must make a correction. I just talked to Sen. Harmon - it wasn’t the sushi platter it was the sushi burrito
Comment by siriusly Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:11 pm
I don’t think this is the last we’ve heard of free rides for seniors.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:14 pm
How about this-look at what a state agency is supposed to do and then look at what that agency is doing.Cut the crap that bloats the agency’s budget and is not within it’s specific mission.No attorneys allowed in the process to “word up”definitions.–Won’t happen in Springfield,but it’s a thought to actually evaluate base expenses,instead of the announced mega cuts that are only for show.
Comment by nick Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:32 pm
Ok, let’s make a deal. Someone post a list of every employee, agency head and board appointee that paid for their job with campaign cash.
That Tollway money… show us where it went.
Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:43 pm
==
“Little to none gets by Holland”
Couldn’t agree more and something to keep in mind. Want to identify waste? Read his audits.
==
Totally agree. I think a lot of the pork, sadly, happens right underneath people’s very eyes. It isn’t so much theft as official language and mandates within the content of actual bills.
Comment by ABCBoy Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:44 pm
“State Senate Democrats vote to Continue Blagojevich Senior Free Rides on Public Transit.”
Hows that for a headline!
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:45 pm
==Why not give free rides to seniors? In fact, why not give free rides to everyone?==
I agree. Let’s give free rides to everyone. (I don’t care of Kadner was being sarcastic.)
==I don’t know where the Tea Party folks are on this one.==
Probably making new signs that equate Obama with some dictator from the 1940’s. Either that, or they’re busy telling an elected Green Party Committeeman, who was born in Chicago, to go back to their own country.
==And the “free rides for millionaire seniors” fiasco is another prime example.==
Oh, so you prefer the “no rides for the poorest seniors who can’t afford transportation” program? Whatever you do, don’t think of an elephant.
Comment by Squideshi Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 12:58 pm
DuPage Dan. You my right honorable friend cannot be serious.
== for anyone to say that misspent funds account for more an a small percentage of state spending (and hence the deficit) is just plain wrong. ==
Depending on your definition of misspent funds…
That is the single reason for the deficit. Hello…Hello…anyone home?
This idea that an audit of the state is somehow unneeded is breathtaking. How can anyone say “nothing to see here, move along, nothing to see here.” Its no wonder this state is in the shape it is in.
Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 2:20 pm
–This idea that an audit of the state is somehow unneeded is breathtaking–
Dude, there are library shelves filled with audits of state government. There is an auditor general who does nothing but. Part of the deal, though, is you have to read the audits and take action on them.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 2:23 pm
Therein lies the rub. Most of the audits are available online at the auditor general’s website. But unless the media gets tipped to a juicy finding and presses, often not much is done about it.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 2:37 pm
===But unless the media gets tipped to a juicy finding===
Reporters almost always read the summaries as they are issued, and you can usually tell if there’s something juicy in it on your own. Holland almost never calls with “tips.”
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 2:41 pm
Didn’t mean to imply that he would. Having the audits on-line is a great public service.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 2:54 pm
Moving to Oklahoma,
Just to set the record straight, you should be responding to DuPage Dave, not me, DuPage Dan. I have been in a conference all day. DuPage Dave creates this confusion by choosing a name so close to mine. And yes, I was here first. However, I will not wage a name war as anonymous has since it is a waste of my time and all of yours. You’all will just have to pay attention.
Comment by DuPage Dan Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 10:39 pm