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* There’s new spin afoot. After an intense hearing on the governor’s budget vetoes in Pekin last night, the spokesman for the governor’s budget office, Justin Dejong, had this to say [emphasis added]…
“The gross exaggeration of those vetoes made (Thursday) only serves to distract the public from the fact that (Illinois House) Speaker (Mike) Madigan and the House didn’t include enough revenues to pay for the projects they inserted into the budget at the last minute without any public discourse or hearings.”
Justin ol’ pal, if there wasn’t enough money in the budget to pay for those projects, then why did Gov. Blagojevich promise an almost dollar-for-dollar replacement of those “pork” projects with his health care projects?
You can’t say on the one hand that there isn’t enough money while saying on the other hand that you’ll spend all that allegedly nonexistent money on something else. It’s absolutely inexcusable that the Peoria Journal-Star didn’t call him out on that point.
Also, Justin, there were, indeed, public hearings in both the House and the Senate on that budget proposal.
* Meanwhile, the bright, shiny ball of gaming expansion has once again reared its head…
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, introduced a $24 billion program to upgrade Illinois bridges, roads and schools and expand gaming during a press conference Thursday… Hoffman said he planned to introduce the bill authorizing the capital program into the House on Monday. He said he expected Emil Jones, the Senate president, to bring the matter up when the statehouse veto session begins during the first week of October.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich supports Hoffman’s capital projects proposal, according to Rebecca Rausch, a spokeswoman for the governor.
One of the program’s top aims is to “make sure what happened in Minnesota does not become a reality here in Illinois,” Hoffman said, alluding to the Aug. 1 collapse of an interstate bridge in Minneapolis that killed 13 motorists
Two new casino licenses would be created, bringing to 12 the total number allowed under state law. Meanwhile, the number of gaming positions — most likely slot and video poker machines — authorized per casino would jump from the current 1,200 to at least 2,000.
If passed into law, Hoffman’s capital program would more than double the number of betting devices allowed in Illinois casinos — from the 9,600 housed at nine venues, to 24,000 if a 10th license is awarded; though authorized, it’s been tied up in litigation for years — plus the two new casino licenses envisioned by Hoffman.
Using the tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota to sell a casino expansion seems a bit much, if you ask me.
* More budget stories, compiled by Paul…
* Governor yanks money for death-penalty panel
* Lawmakers begin fighting budget cuts
* Area mayors concerned with budget cuts
* Legislators, agencies speak out about Gov’s cuts
* Editorial: Reveling in road repair
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 9:23 am
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Juding by the comments in the article about the DP commission cuts that they aren’t part of the “mistaken” cuts to the rest of the court system. I guess fixing problems that nearly sent half a dozen innnocent men to execution isn’t that important. (Speaking of the court cuts, are they ever going to be fixed? Are the courts’ activities impaired in some way, and will there be a “doomsday” CTA-style slowdown at some point? Only felons with last names A-L get trials, or something?)
Comment by Muskrat Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 10:13 am
Gee, for a story on an “intense” hearing attended by more than 100 people, you would think the PJS could include more than ONE example of someone being hurt by the budget vetoes. Has their new management reduced the amount of news space THAT much?
I wonder what Daryl Dagit, Smith’s most recent Republican opponent — for whom the House GOP spent big bucks trying to paint Smith as being in the hip pocket of Blago — must be thinking right now. The way things have gone this year, he’s probably thankful he didn’t win! On the other hand, had he won, he’d be part of Tom Cross’ caucus, and his initiatives would NOT have been cut. Curiouser and curiouser…
Comment by Lainer Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 10:26 am
Does anyone know if Rep. Hoffman has primary opposition yet? The Illinois Committee for Honest Government would be very interested to know of anyone trying to oust this noted Blagojevich butt-kisser.
Comment by Randall Sherman Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 11:19 am
My Christmas wish for Blago’s staff is new jobs for all where they don’t have to put their reputations and personal integrity on the line and lie for their boss.
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 12:05 pm
Same old, same old, tired political spin, trying to blame someone else for problesm solely attributable to the Governor’s flawed political philosophy intransigent governing style, and egregious errors in judgement. How low does the Governor have to sink in the polls before he realizes that the “blame someone else” strategy isn’t going to work anymore.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 1:29 pm
CA, he’s never got it, he doesn’t get it, and even with the Feds sniffing around, he never will get it. The fact that this guy is in office for a second term sadly shows Illinois deserves to be on the top of the list of redneck states (and that’s really cutting rednecks pretty low).
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 2:18 pm
Too bad this was put lower down on the web page, it is not generating the comments that it deserves. The comment by Justin about the General Assembly not putting enough revenue in the budget and the logic of Ol’ Rod to replace the vetoes with new expenditures is a classic example of this administration’s ability to hire inexperienced people and put them into positions of influence and decision-making. This of course is the best combination for the citizens of Illinois (cynical humor in case new state employees missed that). The guv just doesn’t get it, surround yourself with good people who have relevant experience and things have a tendency to go much more smoothly. Instead, as Little Egypt put it, we are quickly becomming a redneck state. LE - good point, my compliments.
Comment by Watch out now Friday, Sep 14, 07 @ 5:59 pm