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* There wasn’t much new in the papers today that we didn’t cover yesterday, but here’s a wrap-up story…
What was expected to be a routine day of punching the clock at the Capitol quickly escalated into calls for Blagojevich’s impeachment and the threat of possible legal action by the governor’s office against the House.
A scheduled meeting between Blagojevich and the four leaders to discuss the budget ballooned into a gripe session attended by more than 60 lawmakers at the Executive Mansion after Madigan invited them to attend.
The budget impasse was not resolved.
Problems started early Saturday because Madigan decided to call the House into session at 10 a.m., despite a declaration from Blagojevich that the House and Senate should convene at 2 p.m. Madigan wanted to finish work early so House members could return home overnight Saturday before returning to Springfield today.
Madigan agreed that Blagojevich has the authority to call the General Assembly into special session but said the governor does not have the authority to dictate the time of the meetings. Blagojevich’s office disagreed, saying it has the constitutional authority to set not only the date of the special sessions, but the time as well. The administration said it is exploring its legal options.
* And another…
But in an extraordinary budget summit Saturday behind closed doors in a ballroom at the governor’s mansion that was packed with as many as 60 lawmakers from both parties, Madigan asked Blagojevich to tone down the rhetoric.
“I simply called upon the governor to stop the personal insults that he is leveling at me,” Madigan said. “I simply told him that I don’t think it accomplishes anything to be attacking me personally, doesn’t help what we’re trying to do with the budget.”
The governor refused to back down, said Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline), saying the two powerful Democrats stood next to each other as they parried words.
“It was high theater,” Jacobs said.
“It’s all good,” Blagojevich said. “It’s a healthy, honest discussion.”
* And another…
The governor briefly spoke to reporters halfway through the meeting and tried to put a positive spin on things, saying progress was being made.
But he said that while he’s flexible on ways to generate revenue, he has no intention of abandoning his priorities of education, health care and paying down pension debt.
* And in case you missed them, here are the audio files from yesterday…
* Rep. Lou Lang’s floor speech…
[audio:loulang7707.mp3] * Gov. Blagojevich didn’t say much to reporters, said he had to return to the meeting, promised to come back and talk to reporters, then didn’t. Surprise, surprise…
[audio:Blagojevich-070707.mp3] * Speaker Madigan. This is where Madigan talks about his “Knock it off” comment to Gov. Blagojevich…
[audio:MJM-070707.mp3] * GOP leaders Cross and Watson. Harsh rhetoric about the guv…
[audio:CrossWatson-070707.mp3] * The governor’s lawyer talks about a possible lawsuit against Speaker Madigan for convening special session four hours before the governor called the meeting…
[audio:Quinlan-070707.mp3] * The governor’s spokespersons deal with the press at the very end of the day…
[audio:RauschOttenhoff-070707.mp3]
posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:00 pm
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And, please, you had your little fun yesterday talking about impeachment.
It’s not going to happen, people. So let’s drop the subect for now.
Also, there’s no recall in state law, and you’ve made your points on that issue many, many times here. Move along.
Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:05 pm
I think the point about the impeachment is the talk itself.
I wonder if the talk about it is actually more dangerous than the thing itself.
Comment by Macbeth Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:06 pm
The House is in at 5 p.m. today. Is the Senate also in session?
Comment by questioon Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:08 pm
Did Milo fly home yesterday?
Comment by Good Grief! Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:10 pm
Rich, do you have a read yet on the pulse of the members and leaders after they’ve had a good night’s rest? Have tempers cooled or is this likely to be a repeat of yesterday?
Comment by A Citizen Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:10 pm
Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday. Nice work, Sentaors!
Comment by Bill Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:21 pm
It’s amazing how quickly the Senate can do absolutely nothing.
House reprises its role at 5 pm.
Comment by unclesam Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:23 pm
We should seriously consider the possibility
that Blago is a “mole” for the Republicans.
THAT would explain everything.
Comment by Esteban Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:24 pm
When will the press start aiming at the Senate? The House has at least had hearings on issues. So today, the Senate spending tens of thousands in per diem for less than 5 minutes of nothing.
Comment by 45 Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:25 pm
The senate is worthless in all this, Emil is blago’s hack. The house is where the intelligence in leadership is at. I mean, if you look at it, the senate hasn’t done squat about trying to pass a budget, they want the house to do all the work.
Comment by ev il Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 4:26 pm
The senate is getting a free pass becaue air blago needs to keep e. Jones happy there arent enough votes in the senate for any of blagos wishes. Blago is toxic no one will touch his plans
Comment by Anonymous Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 5:17 pm
Again, Lou Lang’s floor speech just rules.
Comment by Bridget Dooley Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 5:17 pm
This has turned into a god awful mess. These people are in GA Jail.
Comment by game plan Sunday, Jul 8, 07 @ 10:46 pm
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8Q8QOUG0&show_article=1
Wow, a governor who is serious about fixing things..at putting the pressure on. I guess Rendell only wants one term.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jul 9, 07 @ 12:27 am
Tragedy tomorrow.
Comedy tonight!
Comment by Pseudolus Monday, Jul 9, 07 @ 12:36 am