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* 3:47 pm: The governor filed another special session proclamation today requiring the General Assembly to take up his line item and reduction vetoes, but he hasn’t yet unveiled any vetoes.

Here’s the proclamation. Page 1 and page 2 [fixed link].

* 4:16 pm - The Senate has received the vetoes for its bills, but the Senate appropriations bills were relatively small. Nothing is posted online as of right now.

The House approp bill was the big one, but as of this moment the House has not yet received the governor’s veto message.

* 4:26 pm - I’m not sure exactly what this means for our near future, but here’s a statement from the Senate Democratic spokesperson: Unless the House passes the revenue bills it will be difficult to override the vetoes.

* 4:46 pm - From the Associated Press…

Governor Rod Blagojevich has cut $211 million from the state budget by vetoing items that he says will impact programs he supports. […]

The bills Blagojevich vetoed were Senate bills. It’s unclear what the Democratic governor plans to do with a House appropriations bill.

Blagojevich spokespeople could not immediately discuss the cuts.

* 4:53 pm - A representative of the City of Chicago is testifying to the House COTW right now about the mayor’s opposition to the gaming bill. The city did not testify against the bill when it zoomed out of the Senate.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 3:48 pm

Comments

Yes, keep wasting money! McKenna, are you awake? Do something about this, make it the issue that it is and narrow the D majority.

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 3:49 pm
So are his vetoes secret as well? Are they on a list like the IDOT projects where lawmakers can see them but can’t take them out of the room?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 3:51 pm
Wow…how can he issue a special session proclamation on line item vetoes he has only threatened and not issued. What is the General Assembly suppose to do with that??? Once again, all smoke and no action.

Comment by Magic Dragon Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 3:55 pm
I still say total veto and Senate will pass bare bones.

Comment by The Unlicensed Hand Surgeon Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 3:55 pm
…which gov will not sign, state workers will get paid, contractors will get stiffed for a couple months, but the gov won’t take the blame. It will go into effect without his signature.

Comment by The Unlicensed Hand Surgeon Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 3:56 pm
So will he push it past 4 days?

Comment by OneManBlog Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:01 pm
No. Senate can pass bare bones tomorrow.

Comment by The Unlicensed Hand Surgeon Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:02 pm
The special session is for today, so I really, really doubt he’ll force them to stay in longer than tomorrow, but one never knows anything for sure with this governor.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:02 pm
So far he’s only 2 days of 4 down. But what is the point of passing same day special session proclamations again? They’re already in town.

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:05 pm
=The special session is for today=

That brings up an interesting question, what is a ‘day’. If he calls them into special session at 11:50 PM and they stay in session past 12:01 AM is it a new ‘day’ or the same day?

Could he call them back into special a third time today?

Comment by OneManBlog Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:13 pm
“What is the point of passing same day special session proclamations again?”
To drive the House Clerk nuts?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:14 pm
Why doesn’t he just pen a special session proclamation to discuss who has better hair… it isn’t like those discussions aren’t happening in the Capitol now…

*ducks*

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:17 pm
So did the gov actually wait until the Potemkin debate on the House was over before issuing the vetoes?

Get a load of that letterhead, by the way — very 1937. Or has copperplate scrollwork suddenly become hip aagin? Did I miss another internet trend, or is the State still working through a 70-year old puirchase order of tacky stationery?

Comment by Muskrat Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:19 pm
At the risk of being banned, I’ve gotta tell ya’–I am beginning to wonder whether this guy may truly be completely nuts, as in seriously mentally ill. More than a sociopath (and I do think Madigan’s folks hit the nail on the head on that one), he seems to be living in a totally different reality. It’s as if he repeats his mantra over and over and over and over again (pass the revenue bills, pass the revenue bills)and invokes the magic word “Special session” it will all of a sudden just happen! He seems to have absolutely no understanding of negotiating, no comprehension that the legislature does not work FOR him but is a co-equal branch of government, and no understanding that no matter how much he yells and cries and has his tantrums, Speaker Madigan is NOT going to give in to the rants of this petulant child. . . er, Governor. If the Governor had a working brain, he’d understand the need to work WITH others to achieve goals. If he’s not nuts, then he truly does NOT want to achieve his goals, but wants only the press pop for proposing them and some “bad guy” to blame when his ideas go no where. That gets back, I suppose, to the sociopath. Really, I’m not being mean–I just wonder WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS GUY?????????????????

Comment by Ivote Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:26 pm
Am I reading those PDFs wrong, or did he call the special session for 2:28pm? i.e. an hour before he sent them?

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:27 pm
Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Kramer and Newman are composing a hate letter…. exclamation point!

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:27 pm
Is it normal to refer to the Governor as His Excellency??

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:29 pm
His Excellency is his formal title.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:29 pm
Learn something new every day… seems rather aristocratic to me, but whatev.

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:31 pm
He formally transmitted the proclamation at 2:15 pm today.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:31 pm
When did he transmit the vetoes he wants them to discuss?

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:31 pm
Will this second special for today be considered a new session day?

Comment by Huckleberry Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:32 pm
Wow….13 minutes. At least he left time for a potty break.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:32 pm
===Will this second special for today be considered a new session day?===

No.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:34 pm
==Unless the House passes the revenue bills==

Not gonna happen.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:35 pm
What, no press release?

Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:47 pm
no press release on what he has vetoed, no explanation - yet I assume that he will request 100% acceptance of whatever it is that he did.

I think that I am trapped in the audience of a Gilbert and Sullivan performance rather than observing a state government at work…

Comment by Capitol View Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 4:58 pm
The wheels of government turn exceedingly slow but exceedingly…click…click…click…THUNK!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 5:15 pm
There you go - he made the cuts.

No bluff

Comment by jj Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 5:56 pm
Rich, you surely are joking about referring to the Governor of Illinois as His Excellency. His (Your) Excellency is reserved for only clerical and religious orders. Governor ACT20 isn’t quite there yet.

Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 6:09 pm
- Little Egypt -
You are overlooking - HE wrote the memo and he “thinks” he is! Don’t believe what Rich says, we know better, huh?

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 6:19 pm
LE, it’s true, governors have the title of Excellency (as do Catholic bishops). In the case of Blago, however, the title should be changed to His Incompetency.
Some of you may have noticed that Blago also frequently uses the title “Honorable” before his name, a title usually given to Congressmen; I don’t know if that’s a holdover from when he served in Congress or not. That title, IMO, ought to be changed to “Dishonorable.”

Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 6:37 pm
Interesting…issues a special session proclamation at 2:15 p.m. for a special session that is supposed to start 13 minutes later at 2:28 p.m.

Hmm… the same time that the first two opponents were scheduled to testify. Sounds like the Governor is trying to stifle opposition to his grandiose plans.

Comment by 4% Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 6:38 pm
We are hearing that if a budget is not passed soon the state will go back into shutdown mode,as in little or no spending on anything other than as necessary to maintain the safety of the roads and public.

Comment by nieva Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:05 pm
The Governor is entitled to the title Honorable as are all elected officials as well as appointed officials whose appointment require Senate approval. The title is for life. Once an honorable always an honorable. The Governor is also entitled to the official title of His Excellency. Both titles are duly deserved. An ACT score of 20 puts him in the upper 10% of all Chicago Public School graduates. Also, he passed the bar exam on his first try unlike some other elected officials I could but won’t name.
He may not be in the genius category but is certainly not dumb. He can name the winners of every World Series and give the starting lineups for all Cubs teams dating back to WWII.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:08 pm
The gov issued a special procolomation today calling a special session for today?

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:11 pm
His Virility?

(No, he can never live it down).

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:12 pm
Checkmate, Speaker!!! Take that!

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:12 pm
Bill. I wish the game was so rich, however, I seriously think someone needs to get the strait-jacket ready for guv. He is about ready to go off the deep end. His recent “moves” have been erratic and simply strange.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:17 pm
A,
While some of His Excellency’s moves may seem strange to us outsiders, they really are all part of a well conceived plan. The Honorable Rod is always thinking several moves ahead. He is playing chess while the rest of us, except maybe Emil and Jay, are all playing checkers. Wait and see how this all plays out! Are they still at it in the House?

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:23 pm
gotta love ya, Bill

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:31 pm
Definition of sociopath. http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html It hits on so many points.

Comment by Danny Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:31 pm
Wait - I don’t get it - all of y’all were begging him to just make the cuts. He does, now, ….. I don’t get it.

Get the House dems out of there and let Cross take control.

Comment by jj Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:41 pm
- Danny -
Check out “megalomania” in Wikipedia - it’s an even better match. So we now have at least two diagnoses of mental disability. Time to shine the spotlight on the elephant in the room (I).

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:41 pm
If it’s a well conceived plan to become the worst Governor in the state’s history and end up in jail, then the master plan is right on schedule. Almost complete I’d say. Worst Governor, check. Jail, work in progress.

Comment by Truth Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 7:42 pm
Regarding “Excellency” have you ever heard Madigan when it is time for the state of the state speech? House rules are, the gov. has to formally request entrance to the chamber and this is granted by the speaker. It is always a hoot to hear Madigan’s voice as he makes a point of using a special tone of voice when he intones, “Admit His Excellency, the Honorable Governor”.

Whenever he says that, I always expect to see Edgar or Thompson walking in….

Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 8:22 pm
The gov just slashed $1.6B with his veto pen. Saying the budget is $2.2B out of whack and that signing it would be signing a check that would bounce, he decided it was far better to bounce $800 million instead.

In unrelated news, I’m wearing this shirt today. Complete accident, but did make me think of the session today.

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 8:26 pm
I can be pretty anal about etiquette. A governor of one of the 50 United States MAY be referred to as His/Her Excellency. It is not proper, however, to do so.

Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 8:27 pm
Guess this means next week’s paychecks are safe, at least for those whose job or program didn’t get cut.

Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 8:40 pm
nah, that other $800,000 goes under ‘belt tightening’ and shifting funds. Wonder how much more he can sqeeze the belt on some agencies before they pop?

Comment by Princeville Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 8:54 pm
Not only is it proper it is required when formerly referring to the Governor. It is a traditional honorific that goes back to the early 1800s. Every Resolution passed by the GA uses the rightful title when referring to the governor like this example from last year:

“BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the two Houses shall convene in Joint Session on Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at the hour of 12:00 o’clock noon for the purpose of hearing his Excellency Governor Rod Blagojevich present to the General Assembly his Report on the Condition of the State of Illinois and to hear the Budget Message for the Fiscal Year 2008, as required by Chapter 15, Section 20/50-5 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.”

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:04 pm
I have heard Rod called a lot of things down here and His Excellency isnt one of them

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:21 pm
Our agency was already holding to last year’s budget level; he cut it another 5 percent! Anyone else notice trends or notice particular agencies that took big hits?

Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:28 pm
Well, good, the budget is now “balanced” and everyone can go home until November. Whew! I thought there was going to be a problem or two? Well, heck. since they are all already in town let’s just go ahead and start that impeachment thing!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:28 pm
isn’t that 600 million John…and he didn’t decide to cut any, he is forced too. the House and senate could vote to increase revenues to pay for everything, and if he vetoed the tax increase he would be the only one cutting, right now its still a joint effort from both branches

Comment by add Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:30 pm
Yeah, it’s 600, brainfart.

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:34 pm
Let’s see - if we accepted the cuts, impeached him, then Quinn could call a Real special session and the tops, once again trusting, could fix the budget issues and move on a rational cap. pjcts. bill. Yep, works for me! And Illinois wins.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:45 pm
Bill, I wish we could be “formerly” referring to this governor.

Comment by S. Illinois Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:48 pm
As the spouse of a State employee I am sick and tired of this idiot(RodBlo, of course) holding our livelihood hostage every year.
Will people north of I-80 get on board with voting him out next time?

Comment by bockrand Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:49 pm
Legally and constitutionally, the General Assembly could pass a capital bill that itemizes every project of interest to each and every member. And if that were to occur, the bill would easily pass. So the question is this: why doesn’t the Governor cobble together such an approach - itemizing all of the projects necessary to gain passage of the bill? It’s a workable strategy, especially since very few members would run the risk of voting against a bill that identifies by name the projects to be funded in their district. The answer to the question lies in the future - at the time of the next gubernatorial election: If the capital projects are statutorily identified, they will be funded irrespective of whether Rod is the Governor. But that’s not good for Rod; he needs certain legislators to support him in the next gubernatorial race. And a good way to ensure that he gets what he needs is through these mysterious so-called Memoranda of Understanding.

In the brain trust that is Harris-Harris-Quinlan&Greenlee, Rod needs the MOUs to ensure that certain legislators work to get him re-elected. But the strategy cuts the other way: if Rod is not the Governor, the MOUs (even if made in good faith) are not binding on his successor. Look at it like this: If you were a legislator, would you rely on an MOU that might not be honored by Rod, and certainly are not binding on Lisa M. or whoever beats him in the primary or general? MOUs are good for Rod, but they’re not good for legislators, and this is where Rod is caught between Scyla and Charybdis: he needs the MOU approach for future legislative support, but the MOU approach is the very reason that the legislators don’t want to vote for the capital bill.

Comment by chicagopublius Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 9:58 pm
The Gov is playing chess alright, only problem is he is using a chinese checkers board and has lost all his marbles.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 10:44 pm
Looks like the Secretary of State’s office got some big cuts this year–as in 2003, could we now be looking at another dispute over the budget between Blago and Jesse White?

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 10:59 pm
Nope, he’s playing Russian Roulette, but not using a revolver…

Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Jul 9, 08 @ 11:45 pm
Impeach him-he’s not mentally fit to govern…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Jul 10, 08 @ 6:53 am
He calls them in, and before they can do anything he does this? I am sorry, but WHAT A WASTE of state money.

It is time for Impeachment. The guy is nuts.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jul 10, 08 @ 7:08 am
==He may not be in the genius category but is certainly not dumb. He can name the winners of every World Series and give the starting lineups for all Cubs teams dating back to WWII.==

Damn him with faint praise, Bill. You make him sound like Rainman.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 10, 08 @ 8:24 am

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