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* As I told you yesterday, there’s disagreement over whether the governor has to sign the rate relief bill today…
Illinois lawmakers called Thursday for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to take quick action on a $1 billion relief plan for the state’s electricity customers, but the governor plans to take his time reviewing it.
Blagojevich might even decide to reopen the legislation and try to improve it, said Marty Cohen, his director of consumer affairs.
“If there are ways to improve it, we’re sure going to try,” Cohen said at a news conference. “We’re not ruling anything out.”
He called the size of the rebates “underwhelming.”
Marty knows better. I saw somewhere yesterday where Cohen brought up $7 as typical ComEd “relief.” But if your rates went up by $15 a month, then you’ll get about $7 in relief.
* More…
On Thursday afternoon, 37 Democratic state representatives signed a letter to Blagojevich asking him to sign the bill immediately. The letter echoed earlier concerns that long-term electric contract offers in the bill expire Friday. If those contracts expire, the letter reads, future contracts could contain more rate hikes, decreasing the effects of the rate credits and rebates.
The letter adds that reopening negotiations could lead to “another catastrophe for Illinois ratepayers.”
Ameren spokesman Shelley Epstein said the contracts’ expiration did not affect the other provisions of the bills. But he said that the contracts would have to be renegotiated at a new rate — higher or lower. Epstein added that an attempt by Blagojevich to renegotiate would complicate the matter.
Nobody mentioned it, but that letter from state legislators to the governor included this tasty bit…
Earlier this afternoon, Martin Cohen…. said in remarks to the press that you do not believe the August 3 deadline is releavant and that missing this deadline will not have an impact on consumers. That is incorrect and in direct contradiction to a July 29, 2007 letter Mr. Cohen sent to [the attorney general’s office] acknowledging the importance of the August 3 deadline.
It’s always more games with this governor.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 9:23 am
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But like his other games, he positions himself to be OUR HERO!
SAVE US ROD!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 9:26 am
Would you buy a used car from this man?
Comment by Esteban Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 9:29 am
If he’s gonna veto the thing, then, okay, whatever. I don’t agree with the position, but it’s a position.
But pocketing the bill helps NO ONE except the utility companies, and even that’s questionable. It sure as hell doesn’t help the ‘working men and women of Illinois’ who have been clamoring for help.
Wait…this is Ameren-only. Oh, that changes things. ComEd territory is where the votes are.
Comment by So Ill Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 9:42 am
The Gov has never appeared overly interested in the rate releif issue. There are a few small buisness and people on fixed incomes who need this releif sooner then later. This kind of delay because of a beef with the Madigans seems to put spite ahead of the people.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 9:43 am
That’s the other thing, Ghost.
If he can sit there and say that legislators didn’t negotiate on his budget, how does he justify sitting on an electric relief bill that he didn’t help negotiate? How can he now claim that it’s not good enough?
Comment by So Ill Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 9:55 am
“Blagojevich might even decide to reopen the legislation and try to improve it, said Marty Cohen, his director of consumer affairs.”
Maybe he needs time to check with Ameren. After all, he wouldn’t want to miss out on those $15,000 contributions, like the one they gave his committee on 10/30/2006.
Comment by Squideshi Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 10:13 am
I believe Comptroller Dan Hynes used the word hypocrisy when he protested about the Governor’s alleged concerns about a balanced budget this session, based upon a variety of fiscal subterfuges and miscellaneous budgetary chicanery used by the Governor and his fiscal wizards during the past four years.
The Governor took no interest or action during seven months on the rate relief negotiations he and his satff didn’t even participate as far as I have read. Now all of a sudden the Governor has developed an active interest in the agreement that Lisa Madigan and Mike Madigan and Emil Jones negotiated.
Governor, we are not deceived by either your obstructionism or your political hypocrisy.Waht goes around comes around,Governor.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 10:23 am
Agree with pretty much all the comments about the gov, but perhaps if he vetoes this thing, IPA may finally get some real scrutiny. For example, other than by government fiat, how exactly will it keep down rates on a long term basis. If it is unlikely to add base load capacity, is it in the best interests of Illinois electric consumers? Or is it just another big government boondoggle cooked up by a bureaucrat run amok?
Comment by Paul Revere Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 10:36 am
Guess we are not the only ones…
House erupts in chaos
In a massive flare-up of partisan tensions, Republicans walked out on a House vote late Thursday night to protest what they believed to be Democratic maneuvers to reverse an unfavorable outcome for them.
Comment by Siyotanka Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 10:48 am
It’s sad to see Marty Cohen providing cover for the Governor. Too bad.
Comment by fedup downstate dem Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 11:17 am
He’s just like all of the other hacks that are under his thumb. Protecting him at every turn, etc. It’s the same way @ DHS- nobody dares say a negative thing about the administration for fear of losing their job. The entourages, the waste!
Comment by Tunes Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 11:47 am
“In a massive flare-up of partisan tensions, Republicans walked out on a House vote late Thursday night to protest what they believed to be Democratic maneuvers to reverse an unfavorable outcome for them.”
What are you talking about?
Comment by Nickname Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 12:18 pm
I wish Rod would actually DO something besides be in campaign TALK mode. Wish he would show what specific improvements he brings to the table and how he will get them done instead of the current grandstanding delay.
Comment by zatoichi Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 12:43 pm
Sorry… It was the Federal Lawmakers…Congress
Comment by Siyotanka Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 12:50 pm
Rich - do you have a copy of the legislators’ letter? Would love to read it. Poor Marty Cohen - shilling for his boss and looking bad. Why wasn’t he allowed to negotiate this agreement from the beginning? He must be dying inside. Maybe Blago will make him the head of the new power authority….
Comment by Rockford Rant Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 12:53 pm
And Nero fiddles, while Rome burns…
Oy Vey.
Comment by 312 Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 1:29 pm
I hear that Ricky Hendon may face a tough re-election this year? anyone have any thoughts?
Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 2:31 pm
“He’s just like all of the other hacks that are under his thumb. Protecting him at every turn, etc. It’s the same way @ DHS- nobody dares say a negative thing about the administration for fear of losing their job.”
The hacks aren’t only within state agencies–they’re also heading up some labor groups, so-called public interest organizations, within state media, and political science departments in the state universities. Haven’t you noticed how many media outlets in Illinois quote the same few “political scientists?”
Comment by Squideshi Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 2:47 pm
I may be blazed for this, but if the rate negotiations were completed without the Governor’s participation, isn’t pushing approval beyond the swap option deadline for the utilities a smart move by the Gov. to reassert some level of relevance? I’m just saying…why wouldn’t he do it to get some cache on the most important energy legislation in the state in 10 years?
Comment by sisyphus Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 4:13 pm
Because he should have gotten involved months ago, not just at the 11th hour (actually, in this case, 10 seconds to midnight). The gov. showed almost zero interest in being involved in the rate relief issue, and now that he can’t take credit for anything related to rate relief and issue a lauditory press release, he’s holding the whole thing up.
Irrelevance, thy name is Blagojevich.
Comment by Anon from BB Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 4:23 pm
In the category of headlines likely to come back and haunt come election time, check out the one the Daily Register in Harrisburg used for the Gatehouse Media version of the story.
“Governor’s office pooh-poohs rate deal deadline“
Comment by Down in Egypt Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 5:07 pm
Yes, I have Squideshi. It has gotten kind of boring as they (the UIS professors for instance) are very boring and non-descript ..never having a negative thing to say about Gov. Hairdo and his shennanigans!
Comment by Tunes Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 10:41 pm