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* The House GOP held some town-hall meetings last night to unveil a campaign platform for the fall election campaign…
House Republicans announced a new “Agenda for Action” Tuesday. It provides a seven-point platform — ranging from true balanced budgets to tough anti-corruption laws — to entice voters to put the GOP back in charge of the chamber in November.
That’s a tall task. Democrats now have a 67-51 advantage and are trying to build a 71-vote supermajority. Both sides know how legislators vote this week will be used in the upcoming elections.
* More…
Speaking to a live crowd of about 70 at Forest View Educational Center and an Internet audience, Cross and colleagues accused Gov. Rod Blagojevich, along with House and Senate Democratic majorities, of profligate spending, misplaced priorities, veiled decision-making and failure to listen to constituents.
The Republicans hit hardest at Democratic spending.
“We have this mentality of spending money that we don’t have,” Cross said. “We don’t think about the fact that some day we’ve got to pay the piper. Well the piper’s at the door and has to be paid.”
State Rep. Mark Beaubien, of Barrington Hills, said Cross was generous in calling the recently passed budget $2 billion out of balance. The figure, Beaubien said, is closer to $3 billion.
* That’s the first time I’ve heard the $3 billion deficit figure, and it may not be the only thing the HGOPs are exaggerating…
About 60 people attended the Town Hall meeting to participate in the range issues.
Some were broad: “Approve a comprehensive capital program that will reinvigorate Illinois’ economy, create 700,000 new jobs and rebuild and repair Illinois’ crumbling roads, unsafe bridges and overcrowded schools and hospitals.”
Quite a few of those in attendance were candidates, and even Gov. Rod Blagojevich only uses 600,000 as his job creation figure for the capital bill - and that’s undoubtedly overstated.
* You can see the entire agenda by clicking here. Dave Diersen has a few ideas of his own.
* Meanwhile, the House Republicans are divided over how to deal with the budget veto overrides this week and many aren’t looking forward to today’s budget action…
Republicans say it’s unfair to force legislators to pick and choose which cuts should be restored now, especially since lawmakers could always come back this fall and do more.
“We ought to be looking at the total package, not playing politics where we’re going to do mine but we’re not going to do yours,” said Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 9:37 am
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“We have this mentality of spending money that we don’t have,” Cross said. “We don’t think about the fact that some day we’ve got to pay the piper. Well the piper’s at the door and has to be paid.” Said Cross a republican backing increasing the States spending by an additional 34 billion dollars for which the State does not have money on hand, by selling of State assets and issuing bonds which will someday have to be payed and just putts off until tomorr the pieprs 34 billion dollar bill.
Cross has created a great platform for any dem wishing to oppose putting spend now saddle the future with debt repubs out of their seats.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 10:07 am
That’s an odd GOP platform.
A huge public works program backed by gambling and a shaky asset lease; increased spending for colleges; surveillance programs; and just one mention on taxes.
Serious identity crisis going on here.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 10:18 am
Amateurs.
This platform is a mess. It tells me nothing. It is unfocused. It gives me no strong reasons to vote for them. They sound like Democrats with a conscience. Stand for something and hammer that home to voters!
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 10:28 am
Let me get this right, the Reps. say the budget spends too much and the state does not have the cash , so elect us. Then they vote to override vetos to restore spending cuts.Now that should get them elected!!!
Comment by Cougar Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 10:42 am
I had a previously scheduled meeting last night so couldn’t attend.
The Forest View Theater holds about 500 people. If that’s where they held the event… the room was near empty.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 10:50 am
So let me see if I have this straight. Last week Tom Cross and his gang were buddy buddy with Blago, trying to help him pass a big gambling bill and more spending. This week Cross says the Dems are bad.
What a joke. No wonder Cross has made his caucus irrelevant.
Comment by Huh?? Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 11:27 am
==State Sen. Matt Murphy, R-27th, of Palatine, said many Illinois residents choose to go to out-of-state colleges. “We export a lot of people at a high rate to Big 10 schools,” Murphy said. He proposed Illinois should “create a second Big 10 school” to retain some of those students.==
How does Northwestern feel about this comment?
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 9:26 am