Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Ministers threaten to shut down House, hold own vote
Next Post: Question of the day
Posted in:
* As I pointed out in today’s Capitol Fax, Sen. Barack Obama’s advice to the deadlocked Statehouse crowd looks very familiar…
“The problem, my sense is, is that everybody was trying to take too big a bite this year,” Obama said after marching with striking workers outside a downtown Chicago hotel. […]
“My advice would be to come together and recognize not everybody’s gonna get everything they want but it’s still possible to craft a budget that takes care of the basics - that transportation is adequately funded, that we are making some expansion of the health care system particularly when it comes to covering kids, that there … is an infusion of education dollars so that schools at least aren’t falling behind but are moving forward,” Obama said.
A former state senator from Chicago, Obama also questioned the wisdom of a major gambling expansion to fill budget gaps and pay for things that “we should be willing to pay for out of our tax dollars.
Obama’s observation that “everybody was trying to take too big a bite this year,” the modest compromises he suggests and the reticence to approve gaming expansion sure sounds more like Michael Madigan than Emil Jones, his self-described political mentor.
* Meanwhile, to illustrate my point, here’s the latest from the gaming talks…
House Speaker Michael Madigan said Monday that no gambling expansion will emerge from the General Assembly because of a disagreement over how the money should be used, a setback to lawmakers hoping gambling money would help resolve the budget impasse. […]
“Based on this meeting, there’s a lack of an agreement,” Madigan said. “That means there won’t be a gaming bill.” […]
The gambling meeting ended abruptly when Madigan, Cross and Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) made it clear that gambling revenues should be used only for capital projects, prompting Jones to say the meeting should be shut down if that restriction is put on the money, said Rep. Robert Molaro (D-Chicago).
* A few more session-related items, compiled by Paul…
* Illinois budget talks losing steam
* Duncan: CPS needs state funds
* Tax hike may be urged for Chicago schools
* Editorial: Governor in a different world
* Editorial: Let’s make money off state sideshow
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 9:44 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Ministers threaten to shut down House, hold own vote
Next Post: Question of the day
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Why dosen’t the house and Senate try and pass a veto proof revneue bill and make the Govenor irrelant? Isn’t Jones tired of this Govenors antics?
Comment by independent Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 10:00 am
How can one read this statement by Speaker Madigan and not agree with the governor’s comntention that Madigan is a republican? How could the Speaker, the Chairman of the state Dem party, say that gaming money could go only to capital? Are roads and bridges more important than health care and education? Even if you disagree with the governor’s priority on health care, do you ignore Arne Duncan’s request that schools need more money? Do you disagree with Mayor Daley by saying that schools dont need more money?
How can the Chairman stand there with republicans and say that roads and bridges are more important than the health and well being of the people of this state?
Comment by Buck Naked Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 10:09 am
Obama is right about the state budget.
In addition, on the national level, I believe he is the only major presidential candidate who has come out for a surcharge on the wealthy to pay for universal health care.
Interesting that this idea hasn’t gotten much support from the many wealthy liberals who support Obama–locally and nationally. I guess the idea for the wealthy libs is—try to get somebody else to pay for it. That’s why they’re wealthy, after all.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 10:11 am
“How could the Speaker, the Chairman of the state Dem party, say that gaming money could go only to capital? Are roads and bridges more important than health care and education? Even if you disagree with the governor’s priority on health care, do you ignore Arne Duncan’s request that schools need more money? Do you disagree with Mayor Daley by saying that schools dont need more money?”
If you use one time gaming monies for operations you are left with a larger hole next year. Yes, gaming does provide annual revenues but the big $ is in selling the lease. If you use any of that for operations your FY09 hole grows more. Tactics like that have helped lead IL into its current crisis.
Try and think about that. It may hurt your head, but give it a shot.
Comment by Truth in Budgeting Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 10:39 am
The “powers that be” should really hope that Obama’s quest for the Presidency,or alternately the Vice Presidency, is successful. Because Obama is the real six hundred pound gorilla in Illinos politics. He would be elected Governor hands down in 2010, if he decided his resume needed some executive experience. He could also be Mayor of Chicago down the road, although I do not foresee him running against Mayor Daley.
Comment by Captain America Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 10:41 am
Buck, I think Madigan’s stance lies more in the idea that the state has gone overboard for too long and needs to reign in its spending and correct some of its revenue streams. If the money were there, I would assume (perhaps incorrectly) that he would love to allocate money for health care. But enough is enough. Plus, from Madigan’s standpoint, a good number of his own caucus members have rejected Illinois Covered.
Obama is finally making a statement or two on the state of his state. He should have done this earlier. Maybe Illinois’ favorite son can knock some sense into the five tops? After all, a U.S. Senator and his staff should always be abreast of the goings-on in his state.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 10:55 am
Buck:
Let’s see if this helps.
Mike Madigan has never been a fan of gaming to pay for government services.
He surveyed House members and found about 40 willing to support a big gaming expansion bill.
House Republicans say there are zero members willing to vote for expansion.
House Republicans say there are some members will to vote for expanded positions at existing licenses, but all money goes for schools, higher ed., roads, etc.
The Speaker has never said these purposes are more important than insurance or better health care.
The Speaker does recognize what is doable.
Comment by Steve Brown Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 12:33 pm
An increase in gaming may be a acceptable compramise for all the involved parties. Increase the number of positions at existing casinos and add a few new casinos, I think putting slots and poker machines at Ohare and midway would also help. Huge tax increases can not go on everyyear. Or as Blago calls them fee increases. Im all for a higher cigerette tax but we may just be driving all the smokers to buy them in indiana or kentucky and they buy the cheaper gas there to costing the state more tax.
Comment by FED UP Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 1:46 pm
Wow, Another bold and groundbreaking position from Illinois Junior Senator! So let me get this right: Obama says that “both sides must work together in order to pass a fair budget and see that state services are adequately funded”.
Oh this absolutely brilliant. For Barack to go out on a limb like this clearly demonstrates that he is presidential material. I shall add this to my list of other bold, thoughtful positions that Barack Obama staked out this week:
1) He is against youth violence
2) He believes young minority fathers should take responsibility
Obama’s genius is unsurpassed. The country needs him.
Comment by Tyler Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 2:15 pm
Steve,
WE democrats out here in the real world are starting not to care very much what Mike is or is not a fan of. If the members of the dem caucus are too afraid to intervene in the Blago-Madigan blood feud, maybe it is about time that we work to send some to Springfield who will.
I suppose that you are laughing and think that that is impossible. So did Mayor Daley.
Petitions can be passed Aug. 7… right about the time state employees miss their first paychecks.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 4:05 pm
Two IL Senators - One wants to be President; The other makes a career of second-guessing the current President. Both are afraid to mediate a fight between three relative lightwieghts here at home. That says a lot about their administrative experience and courage.
Comment by Thankfully Retired State Employee Tuesday, Jul 17, 07 @ 5:45 pm