Kabuki dance
Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
He-said, she-said political back and forth.
As negotiations on a new state budget crept along Thursday, the Illinois Senate rejected a massive construction-bond program promoted by Democrats.
By identical 32-26 votes, the Senate failed to approve a $1 billion school-construction initiative and a $3.3 billion road-construction program. Because both bills involved the issuing of bonds, a three-fifths’ majority, or 36 votes, was needed to pass. But Republicans, the minority party in the Senate, refused to support them.
Republicans and Democrats traded accusations about who was playing politics.
“These proposals are nothing more than a cynical campaign stunt,” said Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora.
“It would be in (Republicans) best interest to vote for this,” said Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, sponsor of the road-construction plan. “If not, then they are just playing political games.”
The Sun-Times has more.
Senate Republicans called Thursday’s deliberations a political charade never intended to truly address the state’s massive infrastructure needs because there was no reliable funding source built into the program. GOP critics also charged the governor could not be trusted to ensure construction work would be spread evenly to Democratic and Republican districts and questioned why the Blagojevich administration did not lobby them when their votes were essential.
“These people have no idea what it takes to govern. We’re on the floor tonight debating the issue, and they want to talk about it tomorrow. This is ludicrous,” said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville). “You talk about politics. That’s what it’s about with this governor. He’s not sincere or serious about doing anything.”
But Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago) defended Blagojevich and said Republicans who didn’t follow the Democrats’ lead were putting politics over school kids.
“You hate the man,” Hendon said. “Let me tell you, I trust the governor. . . . More importantly, you should support the children of Illinois, even if you don’t like Rod, even if you don’t like me, even if you don’t like President Jones.”
The Tribune had the best lede.
A long Thursday at the Statehouse started with a bang but ended with a whimper for Democrats who couldn’t persuade Republican lawmakers to add crucial support for a multibillion-dollar school construction and public works plan pushed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
A thunderbolt struck the Capitol complex with a blinding flash as lawmakers gathered in the morning, temporarily disrupting the Senate’s sound system. Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) quipped that it was “divine intervention” meant to quicken budget talks that will keep lawmakers in session past Friday’s scheduled adjournment.
More here.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 7:38 am:
Ricky Hendon trusts the Governor. Does he play softball with him too and tackle him after the game ends?
- TrueBlueandThankful - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 7:45 am:
When you (the people) own a house (the state) you maintain it the best you can. When your house has a damaged roof or leaky pipes (bad roads, school bldg’s., pensions, “infrastructure), you fix it with what you have. If what you have is not enough to fix it, you borrow what you need so what you have does not become a “ruin.” It is wise to maintain your “house.” Therefore, it is not the end of the world to fix what “must be maintained for survival.”
- DOWNSTATE - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 8:11 am:
The key word is borrow and then the word is pay back.We need to strip all pork projects from the Chicago led legilature save the money for 3 years and pay cash.We also need to quit doing these little political gimmicks to get someone elected and get serious about the state’s fiscal problems and that should be both parties agenda.Everyone knew when this started that it was dead so they met with the governor and decided it would help him get re-elected if they pulled this stunt.
- Johnson - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 8:23 am:
I want services restored! For years, critical services have been starved for resources. Now many are at the breaking point.
It’s time to reverse the cuts.
- Lovie's Leather - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 8:49 am:
When people claim that “resources” are “starved for resources” it really makes me smile. Because that means my tax money isn’t being wasted. Government services should be required to operate with less money… or the private sector should be in control of these “services.” People always seem to forget that when the state spends more money, we pay for it. There are some services that the state needs and should be funded adequately… but waste needs to be cut.
- Sound Reasoning - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 9:21 am:
The amazing things is that the Governor has stripped millions of dollars from the IDOT road fund and used that money for other pet project purposes that have nothing to do with why the money was originally appropriated. This money that was intended for infrastructure needs but was not used for those purposes.
Now all of a sudden the Governor states we are in need of millions of dollars for road and infrastructure improvements. Why wasn’t the original money that had previously been appropriated for these needs used for this purpose? I guess that’s a question only the Governor, who diverted those funds, can answer.
Yes when your ‘house’ is in need of structural repairs you make those repairs but you don’t go out and buy a new car with the funds you had earmarked for those repairs and then later say you don’t have the money to make the repairs your ‘house’ requires.
- The original Bill - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 9:43 am:
Once again, the Repubs play obstructionists and deny the citizens of our state much needed funds for schools and roads. It is more important to them to build schools and roads in Iraq than in Illinois.
Fortunately we have a strong leader in Gov. Blagojevich who will continue for fight for the working class people of Illinois. He will never sell them out for petty political posturing.
- DOWNSTATE - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 9:54 am:
Hey if the governor wants to do something why don’t he figure out how to pay the 2 billion in unpaid bills and the 21 billion he has borrowed since being governor.I would not call the GOP obstuctionists I would call them fiscal responsible.Hey just a little more fuel for the pile there is 38 billion in unpaid pension payments.The ship of Illinois is sinking under this massive debt and the Democrats instead of throwing out likejackets want to punch a bigger hole in the hull.
- Anon - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 9:56 am:
Let’s take the house analogy one step further.
My house is falling apart. However, I’ve refied the mortgage and used up all those funds. I’ve got four credit cards, but they are all maxed out, so I’m going to apply for a fifth card and max it out, all the while I’m working the same job and bringing close to the same amount of revenue every year.
Eventually, that comes back to bite you in the butt.
I hope to be long gone from this state so I don’t have to see the chaos that ensues from all this borrowing.
- Minion - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 11:30 am:
the various comparisons here are false because we are talking about different categories of expendatures to be paid back with different funds. I have not read the bill so I don’t know if there is a funding source dedicated to pay back the bonds or not.
I will agree that these are projects that have to be done and they stretch throughout the state (Dem areas, GOP areas, etc.)
I never thought I would say this, but I agree completely with Frank Watson. Blago and team don’t know how to govern. Period. There is no reason that four moderate GOP senators could not be found to support this. Why were they not found? Obviously, because Blago and his East Coast hacks (hello, Bradley) did not reach out and talk with them. Off hand, I think that Rodogno, Dillard, Rutherford, Geo-Karis (since she is leaving) would have been most willing to deal. Two of those GOP Senators are running for statewide office and would have had a good campaign issue of voting to provide funding for projects-something their opponents (as current statewide officeholders) could not claim credit for. Since they did not work with the other side when they needed them, they fell back on the old Washington, DC trick of holding press conferences and taking votes they knew would lose to get the issue. While I don’t mind doing that every now and then, the fact is that this legislation was too important to not work with Republicans on.
Remember Bradley: in Illinois, we work together on a bi-partisan basis behind closed doors - especially on matters relating to funding projects. Only when it seems hopeless do we then politicize it. Sadly, I think the governor’s office decided to politicize before they decided to govern (i.e. they got it backwards). And to the Governor’s people, PLEASE do not tell me that it was the Republicans who were unwilling to compromise. YOU are the governor and are the head (or at least they say) of the party in power. It was up to YOU to make it happen. YOU have the responsibility to govern.
- the original Bill - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 12:21 pm:
The governor is governing. There is absolutely no reason for him to try to buy repub votes “behind closed doors”. There will be almost $100 million in natural revenue growth just this coming year to pay interest on the bonds. This grandstanding by the repubs is getting old. As a result of their reluctance to do the right thing the citizens will be deprived of much needed projects.
So instead of action we get the same old tired whining and personal attacks about where some of the governor’s staff used to live, where he lives, etc..
The voters will see through all this and hopefully will change the make-up of the Senate and House so that we can proceed with the gov’s progressive agenda in his second term.
- DOWNSTATE - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 12:41 pm:
To begin with they are not going to pay for this with revenue growth and the revenue growth is not not going to be as high as expected.So as usual it is borrow and spend and the hell with the future just give us your votes.I think the average person on the street sees the truth that once again the gov. is pulling one of his headline gimmicks.As far as the voters a new poll shows that the number one thing on the voters mind is the economy and in Illinois it is bad.
- Minion - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 3:22 pm:
do you work for the Governor, O.B. (original Bill)? Because you have just proved my point made earlier…
YES, there IS a need to negotiate behind closed doors because you need 36 votes for a capital projects bill! And if you were from Illinois, you would know that from previous sessions!
As for your comment about “changing the makeup of the House and Senate”, what are you talking about? You don’t like the current Democratic majorities?
- Minion - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 3:25 pm:
to continue, since there are only 32 Democratic Senators, you need 4 more from the Republican side to pass the bill-32 Dems + 4 GOP=36 votes. (Sorry to have to break it down like that, but I have absolutely no confidence in your ability to count votes based on your previous statement, Original Bill)
You need 4 more votes! That is why you need to negotiate! Is that difficult?
- B Hicks - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 4:27 pm:
Anon 9:56: That credit card analogy is pretty good. You neglect to point out, however, that the name on the front of the credit card is George Ryan and that it’s Rod Blagojevich who took the scissors to the plastic.
Where were you concerned Republicans when George was traveling about the state spreading pork where it would do him and his Republican Party the most good?
Simply amazing!
- Big dude - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 5:08 pm:
Rod wouldn’t know governing if it came and bit him in the rear…
- Gregor Samsa - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 5:10 pm:
I’ll go back to my standard analogy about Rod: he is like a freshman college kid when it comes to governing: ditching classes all semester, always waiting to do a crappy last-minute all-nighter to get the paper turned in, or asking for extensions after complaining the prof doesn’t like him, then using the extra time to continue to go out clubbing instead of hitting the books. Then he cribs his paper off the ‘net the morning it’s (over) due. No wonder his grades were in the tank. Best part of all, he’s putting the whole state on a “college diet”: all we can afford to subsist on will be Ramen noodles, while he’ll be off to Cancun for Spring Break. The good times just never end with Rod…
- wavering - Friday, Apr 7, 06 @ 6:41 pm:
As a Republican I was very troubled by Senator Bomke commenting that he had not heard from any Rochester voters with regard to the school construction funding. That is not true!! Senator Bomke and Rep. Braur take the Rochester part of their district for granted. Governor Blago has visited the Rochester schools more in the past school year than Bomke or Braur.
- DOWNSTATE - Saturday, Apr 8, 06 @ 5:51 am:
The right way would of been to call leaders from both sides of the isle for a early morning breakfast and jam breaking session in the governor’s mansion to form a compromise to get his agenda thru.There is a couple of problems with that he is no leader and he does not live in the mansion.Also he is under the impression that he can do what ever he wants and seek no opinion or advice from no one.All studies done have showed this governor has borrowed more than any governor in the last 24 years.That is another problem some of the downstate Democrats are now saying they disagreed with his budget for the borrow and spend he wanted to do.Now we find out this morning that we are 46th in job growth in this nation under this governor.
- Anonymous - Saturday, Apr 8, 06 @ 5:52 am:
I am a “working class person” and a voter and a tax payer and a state employee who not only hasn’t seen a raise or a kind word from the governor in 3 years but also has fallen behind because of his policies. What part of “THIS STATE IS BROKE!” doesn’t the governor and his advisors understand??? He is robbing agency coffers to get his so-called initiatives passed and then expects the agencies to find a way to take care of the needs of the people of the state. He doesn’t give a damn about anyone except his own future and he wants a national office so badly he can taste it. The freshman college kid analogy is perfect. He still thinks like one and the Tusk/Monk/Madigan/Jones/Original Bill team are his indulgent parents. And like most parents, “their kid can’t do any wrong.”