Congratulations, Mike!
Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 - Posted by Rich Miller My favorite Mike Lawrence story is from the days when he was Gov. Jim Edgar’s spokesman. I’m pretty harried because of Internet access problems last night and a surreal difficulty getting anyone to talk about Gordon Maag’s new ad this morning, so I’ll tell you right now I won’t get this story completely right. Anyway, the way I remember it, Edgar was in favor of a certain “revenue enhancement” that looked an awful lot like a tax increase. This was Edgar’s first term, remember, when he said he would only sign a tax hike if it received a three-fifths majority in both chambers. The budget was in dire straits and Edgar needed the money in a big way. So, we asked Lawrence, the spokesman, why his boss’ non-tax increase idea looked so much like a tax increase. Lawrence said, and I’m paraphrasing here, “I think it’s a tax increase. The governor and I disagree.” Well, that killed the guv’s plan right then and there, but Lawrence was not fired, or even publicly reprimanded. The respect I had for him that day has never waned. Imagine that - a press secretary who told the truth. Lawrence deserved this job, and I’m happy that he got it. CARBONDALE, Ill. - - Veteran newsman, press secretary and respected political analyst Mike Lawrence is the new director of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Public Policy Institute. Provost and Vice Chancellor John M. Dunn announced the appointment today (Tuesday, Oct. 5).
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