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* 10:52 am - As of yesterday, the governor was planning to call the General Assembly back next week for a special session. Plans often change up there on the 16th Floor, so this is not a sure thing yet, but that’s the word handed down from on-high as of now.
Kevin will be at the governor’s noon press conference, so we’ll know more then.
* 12:09 pm - Reporters were led into a conference room a few minutes ago, so the presser should be starting within the half hour.
*** 12:17 pm *** From the press release…
On July 9th, the governor will convene a special session of the General Assembly to address the revenue bills necessary to balance the budget, including the Illinois Works capital plan which will put 600,000 Illinoisans to work, and to pass a fund transfer legisltion that would free up $530 million…
*** 12:21 pm *** More from the release…
If the House does not act on July 9th, the governor will issue a second proclamation for July 10 to take action on any budget balancing steps he must take…
*** 12:26 pm *** No mention was made of the pension obligation bond. Interesting.
*** 12:29 pm *** Quotes from governor during presser…
“I want to reiterate my call to the House Democratic leadership to be straight with the public on a tax increase…
“The House shouldn’t do what the Cook County Board did - get elected and then sock it to the public with a tax increase…
“I call on Speaker Madigan to pledge to the public that he won’t raise income taxes.”
*** 12:40 pm *** Press conference is over. More info in a bit.
*** 12:42 pm *** The full press release can be viewed by clicking here.
*** 12:47 pm *** The reason given for not including the pension obligation bond was that the governor’s office called a couple of dozen House members who said they could support the capital bill and the fund transfers, but not the pension proposal. But that was worth a big bunch of money, so this is quite a bit of grandstanding because his “new” budget has an even bigger hole.
*** 2:57 pm *** The governor told reporters that he will keep Amtrak funding level with last fiscal year’s funding instead of slashing its entire appropriation, which was originally threatened.
Instead, he said, elected officials’ budgets (he hinted at the Secretary of State’s budget) would be cut.
*** 3:20 pm *** From the Sun-Times…
“We’ll be in Springfield next week. But the defects in the revenue bills are still the defects. I don’t know there’s any more support for this stuff than there was,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said.
Blagojevich also warned voters that Madigan might be setting up the passage of a statewide income-tax increase after the November election or early next year. […]
Brown, Madigan’s spokesman, responded that House Democrats ruled out an income-tax hike “a long time ago.”
The governor also wants the House and Senate to address a “drafting error” in one of the budget bills awaiting his approval that caused the administration to idle 39 ongoing projects throughout the state.
Brown disputed that the language was inserted in error and actually was intended “to prevent the administration from spending out of lump sums for projects that hadn’t been authorized.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:16 pm
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I have visions of a General Assembly caravan to Wisconsin, a la Texas.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 10:56 am
“Plans often change” that’s a severve understatement. Usually the plans don’t evolve until about 15 minutes before that actual star time ….that will be about 1:05 p.m. That means the long term planners have not come back from coffee yet.
Comment by DumberThanUTHink Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 10:59 am
If it’s true, I applaud the governor for his chutzpah. While he’s abdicating his responsibility of trimming the budget, he’s essentially alienating the few allies left in the GA, and increasing the risk of impeachment. Does this mean Emil will be applying for food stamps as well?
Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:01 am
The dreaded pay raise time clock will begin should they assemble…calculated risk of a brilliant politician, or naive risk of a desparate man? Special Sessions must have a purpose, spelled out in advance…more fodder for potential legislative ire?
Patience is a virtue we all must have right now until the facts present themselves.
Comment by Bass Man Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:04 am
Is there anywhere to watch/ listen to the presser online?
Comment by S. Illinois Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:05 am
S. Illinois, they have the technology to do so, but they haven’t utilized it yet.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:15 am
Just flip a coin and be done with it. Another example of the complete lack of planning and overall strategy.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:15 am
They’re back the 8th and 9th to discuss revenue, per one of the leadership team members.
Comment by ilrino Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:20 am
If the Gov does this then, as mentioned, he will start that dreaded pay raise clock and obtain nothing.
The Gov can not be so niave to beleive that the GA will come back, give a little mea culpa, and then find the 2 bil for him! So all this does is set up jones on the pay hikes.
At the end of the day the clock is ticking on the gov and he will either have to veto the whole thing (which I am guessing he does) or make the cuts himself. everything else is just bad press opportunities and setting up his allies.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:32 am
If “Ilrino” is right, then the Gov will also be pushing this issue right to the brink of delaying the July 15 payday.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:37 am
noon=1:30pm
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:52 am
Over under on the time?
1:15 PM
Comment by OneManBlog Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:55 am
You’re on!
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:57 am
12:44
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:59 am
Does this start the clock on pay raises?
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:01 pm
Laughing at these bets as I wait for this to start…
Comment by Kevin Fanning Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:07 pm
Plans only change when you get preliminary information from bad sources.
Comment by DumberThanULook Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:12 pm
===Plans only change when you get preliminary information from bad sources ====
Nah. Good sources, but sometimes the guv can’t make up his mind until the last possible minute.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:15 pm
I hear guv is going into the business of selling watches and clocks that tell blago time - one-ish, noon-ish etc. He expects to make 1.5 to 2 billion-ish on the enterprise.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:18 pm
That sound you just heard was Jones pulling out his hair.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:19 pm
At least he’s giving them the July 4th weekend this time….
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:19 pm
Sometimes sources think they are good sources but are out of the loop.
Just what I have seen in past jobs.
Who knows.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:19 pm
I don’t know about watches, but there’s probably some flu vaccine you could get a deal on at eBlago.com
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:21 pm
Did ya get the whole release?
Comment by DumberThanUThink Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:23 pm
Maybe they should rename “press releases” “press hot-pokers”?
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:24 pm
or “Capitol Fax Job Security Documents”
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:25 pm
To be fair, the responsibility of a balanced budget is the General Assembly, not the governor. The Finance Article is clear on that. Blago could, if he had chutzpah, said the whole thing is unconstitutional and either go to court or simply chuck the thing out the window as an illegal bill.
What’s left on the pay raises? 3 session days, right?
Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:27 pm
No, I don’t have the whole release yet. Taking dictation from my intern.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:33 pm
Will the House begin an investigation into impeachment during this special session?
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:34 pm
OK…this may be enough to convince me to become a subscriber!
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:34 pm
JB, the Gov can veto the whole bill whether it was consitutional or not. The validity of the budget is an explanation for the act, but overall a bit of a red herring. The ultimate question is can the gov escape the backlash if he chooses that path.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:35 pm
OK - we can either play along with Blagojevich and let him play his games, or we just let him play his games and then decide how to proceed.
Last year it was Blagojevich’s time to play and everyone got burned. This time, Blagojevich hasn’t been given the same game to play and it leaves the GA with the options necessary to pass a budget.
I don’t blame them.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:41 pm
This is the equivalent of Blago saying to Madigan, “Meet me at the bike racks at 3:30.”
This has got to stop. This guy has to stop. Madigan has been in office for decades, and while people may say he can be difficult, I think people genuinely respect him and believe he tries to do what is best for the State. No one has ever accused Madigan of playing these ridiculous games - doesn’t that tell you the problem might not be Madigan?
Why does Rod need Madigan to tell the people that he won’t raise income taxes? Does he really think that everyone is dumb enough to think that this one man can raise income taxes? It takes both the Senate and the House plus the Governor, or the Senate and the House plus the Repubs and Dems working together to override a veto.
I understand he is simply trying to stick the blame on Madigan, but come on, guy - get over yourself and actually govern.
Comment by why why why Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:41 pm
This will just remind the public of the raging incompetence of the Democrats running the state (into the ground). The conventional wisdom that this will be a big Dem year could be wrong in Illinois - the last thing Springfield needs is more Democrats!And nationally, despite lionizing press coverage, Sen. Obama is still in a dead heat with Sen. McCain. What gives?
Comment by Legal Eagle Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:42 pm
I think the gov has the upper hand on this one. He has clearly been sent a budget that is massively out of balance. It is the GA’s job to send him a balanced budget. I believe that there is a good chance that the Speaker wants to pass a tax increase of some sort after the election in november. People in near revolt right now with regards to the tax burden in Cook County.
Now the gov comes out and looks like a responsible adult who is watching out for people’s pocket books. Will the media let the Speaker off the hook by not pressing him for a no-tax pledge as requested by the gov? If the gov is forced to make the cuts, he has done everything possible to put some of the jacket on the house dems, where it belongs.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:45 pm
C’mon Quimby!
Its only about a buck a day. Pony up!
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:47 pm
Legal Eagle-
The only thing sadder about the state and the Dems is that the Republicans are STILL going to lose seats in the Illinois Senate, Illinois House and Congress. Even with all this, we’re still losing our **own** seats, we’re not even competitive in there’s.
Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:47 pm
Blago fails his gut-check on a line-item veto of the passed budget and tries to throw the hot potato back to Madigan: color me surprised.
His fascination with the tax hike issue is baffling, since he’d already “broken” that “promise” as Madigan was happy to point out. Blago thinks he can make something about tax raising stick to Madigan, and thinks it would hurt him.
I think Madigan was for a tax swap back in the day, before Blago threw a damper on it, and that swap would have given cover to a lot of re-alignment of financial priorities. Everyone would have gotten something good out of it. But Blago’s narrow telescope only views things in terms of active campaigning, so he will never go for it. Too bad, because I think that’s the vehicle to get a better operating and capital budget passed. This gambling expansion gag is never going to pass. The funds sweeps, which I do not approve of, seems like a toss-up, but won’t be enough by themselves. Selling off the Lottery seems stupid even to the average guy on the street.
The Special Session will put Rod’s only supporter, Emil, on the hot seat over the raises, but won’t force a thing from Madigan. In the end, it all comes back to Rod and a line item veto, every line he cuts was a promise he made and now can’t deliver.
Madigan will likely enjoy drawing out the special session for the three or whatever days it will take to stick those two idiots into the briar patch regarding the bad PR over raises. He can run this with one hand behind his back, and the press, with a holiday news hole to fill, are going to go medieval on Rod with stories of union negotiation breakdowns, projects unfinished, bills in arrears, more scandals, the possibility of impeachment being started, etc. Great “strategery”, Rod.
Rod Blagojevich: open mouth, insert foot, rinse and repeat.
Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:51 pm
Since when can the Speaker raise the income tax? I thought it was still the Governor’s responsibility to sign or veto legislation, which would either enact it or not. But I suppose he could pull the “pocket signature” again, which would make it the second time in the last several decades, and he could, with his own straight face, say that he didn’t “sign” the tax increase.
Comment by Ta Da Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:57 pm
Gov doesn’t know how to govern - and if he thinks he can get political points from “the people” by claiming MJM is going to pass an income tax increase after the election when his pal Emil is a co-sponsor of the bill - (which will get the state out of this fiscal mess) he has another thing comin!
Comment by I'll Tell You Why......... Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 12:58 pm
When is Madigan going to get some intestinal fortitude and raise taxes. All he has to explain to people his plan is to do it in an upfront and fair manner. The Guv has raised taxes. Example: When the state doesn’t fund TRS, TRS goes to the schools who raise your taxes to pick up the bill. The guv have diverted our tax money to his projects. But Madigan can’s say so, because he wrote most of the budget so he has to take most of the blame.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:00 pm
It seems like a good move for Blago to limit his call to issues that might actually pass if called for a vote. Of course, Madigan has correctly judged that obstructing a governor with a 12% approval rating has no downside, other than dealing with some grumbling rank-and-file members. Everybody needs to keep their eyes on November - no Dem incumbent loses with Obama on the ticket, and perhaps more than a few Dem challengers get swept in on Barack’s coattails.
Comment by The Unlicensed Hand Surgeon Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:01 pm
Anon 12:45 -
In a war of political strategy against Mike Madigan, the Governor is unarmed.
Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:07 pm
Dems/Reubs = Labels. It is actual PEOPLE who are causing this stalemate. Madigan, the Governor, and Mr. Food Stamps. Each has to feel like he has “won”. And all this grandstanding is gut-wrenching. Why? Because these guys are playing around with the well-being of the State. Capital projects being halted, paychecks not going out, vendors not getting paid, etc.
It’s disgusting.
Comment by BandCamp Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:11 pm
Opps — by leaving out the POB the whole package is done ’cause of the architects who decided that all elments must pass for any element to become law. Hopefully Blagoof can recover from this fumble.
Comment by DumberThanUThink Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:13 pm
Emil’s conversation with the Governor:
E: Hello.
G: Emil, It’s Rod, I wanted you to hear from me that I am calling a special session next week to get this 2 bil hole taken care of.
E: MAN, ARE YOU NUTS? Your putting me on the frying pan? We’re gonna have to vote on our raises! I can’t go tell my wife I ain’t gettin a raise. If you tell Patti you ain’t gettin a raise, your gonna get the frying pan upside the head!
G: We need to stand together and show the speaker who the boss is.
E: Governor, I will stand with you until the arrows really start flying, then your on your own. Haven’t you heard the Impeachment talk?
G: It’s what’s best for the working people of Illinois, They love me don’t believe the polls.
E: Good luck on that one. Do you have Pat Quinn’s number?
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:16 pm
Is there a specific line-item in the guv’s office budget for his staff who are dedicated to posting on CapFax?
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:21 pm
AC, the governor’s people are more than welcome to post here. Everyone from every staff is welcomed with open arms.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:23 pm
Does Emil really think he’s going to fool anyone by delaying the official start of the pay raises until November? There have been plenty of stories written and broadcast about this issue already. Does anyone really think the actual pay raise, when it takes effect, will get any more press than it already has?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:27 pm
I know Rich, I know. Just poking a little fun at the guv’s office. I am just amazed that you continue to allow me to post. LOL!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:27 pm
Seriously? Madigan passes a budget that is $2.5 billion out of balance and it’s the Governor’s fault?
C’mon. I know few like the Gov, but a little perspective. Madigan is not taking the blame for bad policy because people are fixated on hating blago.
Madigan isn’t standing up to the Governor…he’s backing away from his constitutional responsibilities.
Comment by Easy Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:31 pm
DumberThanUThink, that was the capital plan. I don’t believe the revenue bills have the “if and only if” language.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:31 pm
Easy, never mentioned by you is that the House also passed a no-growth budget that’s currently stuck in the Senate.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:32 pm
So when they are in special does someone bring up the I word?
Comment by OneManBlog Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:47 pm
I wonder if they will still have to call and then adjourn all of the still open special sessions? Before this summer is over they may well consume a couple of hours each day doing so. Kinda takes the Special outta special. Oh well, that’s what a one trick pony will do to you. Yawn!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:56 pm
Easy– Both chambers passed the same budget, not just the House. So if there is a new budget with different appropriations, both chambers will also have to pass that budget. The Governor did not raise the constitutionality question for the current budget, he made cuts he said he felt balanced it.
On another point, why is capital spending revenue being tied to the “hole” in the FY2009 budget? Capital and operational budget are separate issues entirely. Capital revenue does not fill any alleged holes in the enrolled budget bills. Also, SB1874, the appropriations bill to cover K-12 district shortfalls was approved with no fanfare at all on Monday.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 1:56 pm
-anon- There is no “current” budget.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 2:00 pm
sorry. I meant the FY2008 budget. It is 7/2. It’s like writing last year’s date on checks for the first few days of January.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 2:04 pm
Whats the clock now on the budget that has now landed on the Govs desk? 59 days?
Yha have to give the Gov points for leadership. In an effort to get madigan to consider the fund sweeps he issues a press release calling for a special session that also demands that Madigan renounce an income tax; an income tax which is not part of the special session in the first place. So the Gov has decided the best way he can lead is to issue a threat and co madigan into what the gov wants?
What is Blago thinking?
This press release attacks have failed him so well in the passed, but this time madigan will suddenly be afraid o the Gov 12% approval and cave in.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 2:09 pm
Patriot wrote…”Example: When the state doesn’t fund TRS, TRS goes to the schools who raise your taxes to pick up the bill.”
Wrong.
When the State doesn’t fund TRS, (or SERS or SURS) the IOU just keeps growing.
AA figures they dropped the POBs because they can’t find anyone (without a little pre-hearing waterboarding) who will testify that it’s a good time to toss $16 billion in one swell foop into the stock market.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 2:37 pm
AA is correct, most likely on both counts, but definitely about the TRS IOU thing.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 2:43 pm
All I can say is GRT…GRT…GRT
Comment by scoot Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 2:52 pm
Is there a bill floating around that would raise IL taxes in either chamber? Is there a number?
What in the name of blue blazes is Rodder talkin’ about? The annual July budget theatre is getting a bit old , doncha think? I drove by Pilgrim Baptist Church this am…there’s money for whomever Rod wishes to keep on his side of this never ending epically silly battle of the egos…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:04 pm
I’m glad Rich mentioned the “no growth” budget.
It would be much easier for the Senate to pass that one. The Gov could sign it. Everybody goes home. Any other action will most likely take both houses and revenue as well as spending. A much bigger task to slog through.
Picture this, Gov B says: “I call on the Senate to pass the budget bills sent to them by the House. The “no growth budget” ensures that we will not need to raise taxes of any sort in this time of economic uncertainty.”
LOL Pretty hilarious, huh?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:08 pm
He can’t grandstand with a no-growth…
He can’t save his image with a no-growth.
He would veto the no-growth sighting kids…
Comment by OneManBlog Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:11 pm
LL: I would guess that there is an income tax increase sitting in someone’s desk drawer. It will come to the light of day as a replacement amendment to a shell bill in November’s veto session.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:12 pm
Easy at 1:31 said, “Seriously? Madigan passes a budget that is $2.5 billion out of balance and it’s the Governor’s fault? C’mon. I know few like the Gov, but a little perspective. Madigan is not taking the blame for bad policy because people are fixated on hating blago. Madigan isn’t standing up to the Governor…he’s backing away from his constitutional responsibilities.”
WHY IS THIS MADIGAN’S RESPONSIBILITY? THE SENATE PASSED THE AME APPROPRIATION BILL. TO SAVE COVER THEY ALSO PASSED 5 BILLS THAT HAVE A TON OF DRAFTING ERRORS, AND KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THE HOUSE WOULD NEVER CALL SUCH RIDICULOUS LEGISLATION, AT LEAST IN ITS PRESENT FORM, THE SENATE VOTED TO PASS IT. THAT WAS A CHEAP AND EASY WAY FOR THE SENATE TO GET OUT OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY, BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
Comment by why why why Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:20 pm
Turn off your caps lock, please. Last warning.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:24 pm
Even if the Senate suddenly became a responible chamber and passed the House’s “no-growth” budget on the 9th it would not allow Blago enough time to grandstand on it.
Comment by Bluefish Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:38 pm
The beauty of a now growth budget is they can always go back and provide additional funding for edication etc if there is revenue.
unfortunetly we can not rely on Jones, or the Gov to do the responsible thing, pass a no grwoth budget and then add in pending based upon available revenue.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:48 pm
Does anyone know how the pay raise timetable works? They usually call a regular session day they same day as special sessions so that they can get paid. Would that count as another day against the 4(?) days left before the raises kick in? A twofer against Emil’s stratagy of staying out of town.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:49 pm
now = no
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:51 pm
Thanks to Steve Brown for his comments. He is certainly a calm and cool voice after the guv’s usual campaign style rhetoric leading nowhere. Bet Steve never gets his Caps Lock button stuck!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:53 pm
E.Jones could pass the no growth budget which would be a responsible move considering the lack of funds available but E. Jones and Blago dont care about the state or its econonomy Jones wants his pay raise and blago just wants to throw money around until he is dragged out of office by the FBI.
Comment by fed up Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:54 pm
fed up, Senate President Jones wants the education funding increase to stay, which wouldn’t be in a no-growth budget.
Tone it down, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:55 pm
I always thought and continue to think MJM wants complete chaos in Blago’s final term. These special sessions feed right into that strategy. The public sees a Governor making bold accusations and blaming others. Crying doomsday and freezing projects. All they can think of is that this guy can’t govern.
It is an effective strategy and has completely neutralized the Governor but I hope we don’t have to go through two more years of this.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:22 pm
In reference to the 2:57 update regarding Blago’s decision to spare Amtrak from cuts and instead target the constitutionals’ budgets (making reference to the Secretary of State’s budget):
Even though Jesse White has not said much about the Blago-Madigan bruhaha in the past year (which may have spared SOS from major cuts that befell the Comptroller’s, AG’s, and Lieutenant Governor’s offices last year), if the Governor holds true to this threat are we seeing another bitter budget battle between Blago and White this summer like we saw in ‘03? (which threatened massive layoffs, closures of drivers’ facilities, etc.–unless this year there is agreement between the two constitutional officers to some cuts, such as Blago’s proposed 3% across-the-board in his State of the State in February). IIRC, Emil was adamantly opposed to any cuts (which IMO, turned out to be more money diversions to the Governor’s control rather than complete cuts) in Jesse’s budget in ‘03 and promised to help get that money restored in that fall’s veto session (which happened for the most part IIRC). If Blago goes through with his new threats to cut the SOS budget, could we see Emil finally turn against the Governor like we saw in 2003 and seek to restore the lost funding?
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:52 pm
===If Blago goes through with his new threats to cut the SOS budget, could we see Emil finally turn against the Governor like we saw in 2003 and seek to restore the lost funding?===
Doubtful. He wants to protect school money above all else.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:54 pm
Almost seems like a game of Whack-A-Mole with MJM being the Whacker and guv the Whackee one!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:54 pm
look folks, all the people of illinois want is that capital bill passed and a budget that is reasonable. bottom line! now instead of all the finger pointing, what can be done and when? thats the real questions that need answered for the people. will they call the capital bill to a vote at the special session or not? and in case you have not noticed, the economy is horrible despite some reports. now get serious people and get something positive done for once!
boogie, speaker of the people, a.k.a. the voters
Comment by boogie Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:25 pm
=== all the people of illinois want is that capital bill passed===
I doubt they “all” want that particular bill passed.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:27 pm
i stand corrected. you are right. not all but i would guess the majority would like to see it passed. 500,000 jobs is a good thing. if our government cannot help itself, then get use to seeing alot of bad things happenning. i.e. …roads bridges etc.. crumbling more than they already are.. is there a poll available about the popularity of the capital plan amongst the people?
Comment by boogie Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:36 pm
==all the people of illinois want is that capital bill passed and a budget that is reasonable==
True, but they don’t seem to want to pay for it. So the Gov., who seems to prefer pandering to leading, comes up with clever schemes to raise money short term (sell the Lottery) or without “taxing” the people (GRT or fee increases) or by taxing behavior (more gambling). He’ll do anything as long as it does not appear to ask people to pay for what they want.
A responsible leader would stand up and tell us that the state is deeply in the red and we need to pay more to keep what we have and even more if we want more. Frankly, I don’t see any of the so-called “leaders” doing that.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:39 pm
boogie, I just don’t believe that this particular bill is supported by a majority of the people. Perhaps the concept, but not this bill.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:47 pm
- Pot calling kettle -
Are you suggesting that we are experiencing Anarchy in state government? Or simply a gross lack of leadership and compromise by guv? Or, maybe both?
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:48 pm
“I call on Speaker Madigan to pledge to the public that he won’t raise income taxes.”
It’s Emil & Meeks who are planning the post-election income tax hike. Emil promised Meeks he’d call SB2288 during Veto Session. So why is G-Rod blasting Madigan instead of the real culprit?
Comment by reformer Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:53 pm
===So why is G-Rod blasting Madigan instead of the real culprit?===
You gotta ask?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:57 pm
They have the Edens tore up, the Tristate, Lake Cook Road and now Milwaukee Ave. I can’t take anymore capital planning or I won’t be able to get anywhere. I don’t know what roads are crumbling. They are all being worked on. Enough already
Comment by Wisdom from PR Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 6:20 pm
can I get my $250 that I gave to Blago back NOW?!
Comment by some former legislative intern Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 6:45 pm
Sure, just call Fitz and tell him how you traded the $250 for the Intern job.
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 6:54 pm
Too late to comment, I’m sure, as most of these folks seem to do their blogging on their employer’s nickel. However..For the benefit of Boogie, I am one of the people of Illinois and I am adamantly opposed to this so-called capital bill. It is vastly too big to be utilized in a responsible manner and there is no solid means of paying for it and paying for it quickly so that the debt is erased before we need another similar bill. We need considerable fiscal and political reform before we need another capital boondoggle more grandiose than even the one we had under Ryan. Kill the monster, Mr. Madigan!
Comment by Skirmisher Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 7:49 pm