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Question of the day
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
First, the setup, which is from a press release. The bill wasn’t actually heard in committee this week for various reasons, but it will be heard next week. The issues broached in the press release are what we’re concerned with today…
…. Representative Harris previously introduced House Bill 1612 extending benefits of marriage in Illinois to same-sex couples. Representative Harris told Committee members today that while many of his colleagues believed it was appropriate to provide legal protections for same-sex couples and their families, they simply could not support marriage rights for these couples and families.
“Members told me that public discourse is still evolving over the distinction between religious marriage and civil marriage for many Illinoisans,” said State Representative Greg Harris of Chicago in presenting the bill to the Human Services Committee. “For this reason, many of our colleagues asked me to develop legislation that addressed fairness and equity, protected all Illinois families, protected the rights of our religious institutions, but did not enter into the marriage debate. I am, therefore, proposing House Bill 1826.â€
Under House Bill 1826, thousands of committed, same-sex couples across Illinois would be able to fairly and equally access basic legal protections and responsibilities that come with marriage in Illinois – including, the ability to visit one’s partner in the hospital, the standing to make health care decisions for a partner, the capacity to extend health care coverage to members of the household and the ability of a surviving partner to determine the disposition of a loved one’s remains. They would not, however, be recognized by the State as “married,†but Illinois would recognize the relationship.
The legislation also makes clear that the State of Illinois can never compel a religious denomination to recognize any civil union or perform commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples if such recognition or ceremonies conflict with a denomination’s religious tradition.
“Over time, History will evolve and one day our children and grandchildren will look back at debates over these concepts the way we now look back on debates over bans on interracial marriage and the right of women and minorities to vote,†added Harris. “This is the right thing to do.â€
Question: Do you support this concept? Explain.
And, please, this is not a debate on gay marriage. Do your best to stick to the question at hand. Thanks much.
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A few things to remember before you read this story and comment:
1) The movement of state government to Chicago started long ago, way before Rod Blagojevich was elected to any office.
2) This is a feel-good “headline” bill that has little to no chance of ever becoming law. Just because a bill gets out of committee (especially in the House) doesn’t mean it’s gonna pass both chambers.
3) The capital is Springfield, but most of the state’s people live in the Chicago area.
State agency directors would no longer be reimbursed for travel expenses to Springfield under legislation a House committee approved Wednesday. […]
The Blagojevich administration has come under fire from lawmakers and others who question why many agency heads who live in the Chicago metropolitan area get travel expenses when they commute to the capital city. [..]
Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, who chairs the committee, said he believed that in a legislative hearing last year, it was determined that the governor’s office spent $27 million overall on travel.
“I was appalled at that,” Franks said. “The government’s here in Springfield, and if people choose to live somewhere else, that’s fine. But I don’t think we should have to pay for that.”
Have at it.
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Property tax relief has more legs
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
I told subscribers earlier this week that Senate President Emil Jones had changed his mind about property tax relief.
Jones met with reporters just after the governor’s budget address last Wednesday…
“I don’t know how we can adequately address the property tax issue so it would be fair,” Jones said, adding that he didn’t see a need to “run” to the property tax issue this year.
But that didn’t go over too well with many of his members. The Trib had this today…
Jones said his staff is working with Blagojevich on how to include property-tax relief in the governor’s budget proposal. Jones previously supported the governor’s entire plan but endorsed targeted relief for poor communities.
And more from Copley…
“If you are going to give property tax relief, how do you target the property tax relief so that all of the money does not go to wealthy school districts?” asked Jones, noting that an across-the-board cut will do nothing to close the per-pupil spending gap between rich and poor school districts.
“If you do a 25 percent across-the-board cut, the bulk of the money will go to places like Kenilworth and places like that,” Jones said. “You will keep that (spending) gap there.”
Kenilworth is represented in the Senate by a Democrat.
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Chambers nails it again
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
As is his habit, Aaron Chambers pens yet another important story. First, the Rockford Register-Star reporter accurately points out that the governor’s capital plan is no big deal…
Blagojevich, in the first year of his second term, is pushing for a budget that does not include a capital plan in the traditional sense — a program that’s so large the state must borrow money to support it.
Instead, Blagojevich is simply pushing for a continuation of the state’s ordinary multiyear road improvement plan. Under his budget plan, the state would earmark $1.88 billion in new spending on roads in the next fiscal year — $100 million less than the current fiscal year.
Then he discloses that the governor is apparently holding a “real” capital plan hostage to his tax and health insurance plans…
Blagojevich said in a statement that policymakers must first focus on his plan to increase taxes on businesses by $7 billion annually and expand state-subsidized health care.
“The sooner we do that, the sooner we can free up funding for a capital plan and can engage in a more detailed discussion on our state’s infrastructure needs,†he said.
In other words, give me my wish list and the pork will flow freely.
Speaking of the capital budget, some transportation folks were in town yesterday asking for a whole lot of money…
Business groups, labor unions, and an alphabet soup of transportation groups say Illinois’ roads and rails are at the tipping point.
The groups say the state has to spend money, $5 billion a year, or face the prospect of losing jobs and people to other states.
The Transportation for Illinois Coalition says Illinois hasn’t dedicated money for roads since Governor Ryan was in office.
Governor Blagojevich has a road building plan, but the Coalition says it’s barely enough to maintain the system, and not nearly enough to expand it.
Meanwhile, I had a brief bit on this in Capitol Fax today…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s bid to impose the largest tax hike in Illinois history isn’t limited to just campaign-style television ads.
The governor this week also sent direct mail pieces to 345,000 Illinois business owners as part of a public relations blitz aimed at assuaging fears about his proposed tax changes.
“There are loud voices in Springfield spreading misinformation about my plan because they haven’t paid their fair share of taxes in a long time – if they’ve paid any – and they want to keep it that way,” the governor says in the five paragraph letter.
The letters, which cost taxpayers an estimated $115,000 in postage, are targeted at small business owners who the governor says won’t be affected by the tax changes.
The full letter can be downloaded by clicking here [pdf file].
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Morning Shorts
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Kane County to retain its lobbyists in Springfield
* Illinois budget: 2.3% more for higher ed?
* ‘Scott’s Law’ put under the microscope
According to numbers provided by the Illinois State Police, the number of tickets issued has moved up and down since the law was enacted, peaking with 796 in 2002 and dipping to a low of 355 in 2004.
As of February 28 of this year, motorists have been assessed 216 tickets this year, setting 2007 up as a record-setting year in terms of the most tickets written.
* ICC: Ameren must explain the effect of credit drop; copy of letter [.pdf]
* Commerce Commission challenges Ameren’s cutback threat
Paul Justice, an analyst who follows the electric industry for Morningstar Inc., said both Ameren and regulators appear to be posturing to an extent. But he added that the rating downgrade would put financial pressure on Ameren.
* More stormy weather for Ameren
* Electricity rates under siege
* Editorial: Ameren’s credibility, consumers suffering
It’s doubtful that an electric rate freeze is going to happen.
But Ameren’s lack of credibility, and the strange timing of Moody’s announcement, won’t give consumers the feeling they are being treated fairly. It’s hard to blame them.
* Rate rollback gets through Senate panel:
Despite Jones’ past rejection of rolling back rates, Forby said Wednesday that the president assured him he wouldn’t hinder a Senate discussion'’He’s the one that’s letting my bill run anyway,'’ Forby said of Jones. ‘’He’s the big man. If he said no, it wouldn’t be in committee or it wouldn’t go to the floor.'’
* CTA audit urge with gripes of filthy trains and buses
* Editorial: Don’t outlaw smoking in car with children
But having the government decide for everyone what is the “right” way to rear a child is more frightening than having “unlicensed” parents doing the best they can, even by the trial-and-error method.
* Strict smoking ban begins in suburban Cook Co.
* Michael Sneed: Jackson Jr., Giannoulias, Reilly
* Sun-Times Editorial: Gap in city schools needs to close
* Tinley Park Mental Health Center loses right to bill government for care
* Ex jail directors in Lake County deny pension fraud
* State Reps call for increase in blood donations
* Stiffer fines proposed for parking cheats
* Chicago city Council toughens measure on dog owners
* Kristen McQueary: Gorman vs. Peraica: Who’s right? And where’s the pork?
Editorial: Openness vow by governor gives way to self-interest
That fact is that the governor was right when he vowed to increase access to government records and documents. The residents of Illinois, who pay the bills, have a right to know what government workers and politicians are doing with their money and in their name. The governor’s claims to be concerned about privacy serve his personal interests, not the public’s.
* AG Madigan: Board’s Chief vote ends legality question
* Schoenberg: Davlin, Giannoulias
* Group begins airing commercials against Rockford area sales tax increase
* McLean County Clerk indicted
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
First, the setup…
A week ago it won a narrow endorsement from a key Senate committee despite “no†votes from both Jones and Watson — a political rarity. A nearly identical plan has enjoyed similar initial success in the Illinois House where influential House Speaker Michael Madigan supports the plan and Gov. Rod Blagojevich appears to lean that way as well.
The suburban sponsor of one of the plans said he believes momentum is building and the start of the Cook County ban could prove crucial.
“It helps most definitely,†said state Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat. “You know why I think the chances are better? Because of what Chicago and Cook County did, none of their senators and representatives has any reason to vote against it because it’s not going to do anything to them.†[…]
Similarly, a statewide ban would end a “scatter shot†approach across the suburbs where one community banning smoking sees cigarette-toting bar patrons flock to the next community over.
Sixteen states no longer allow smoking in public places. At least 42 Illinois municipalities, including nearly 20 suburban locations, have similar bans in place or about to take effect. There are more than 1,000 municipalities in the state. […]
Preliminary head counts by supporters show there’s not yet enough backing to get a statewide ban approved in the 59-member Illinois Senate. And it’s unlikely that it would be called for a vote unless success is all-but guaranteed.
We’ve already debated a smoking ban several times. Let’s not do it again. Today’s question is a bit different: Would it be better to just ban smoking statewide instead of allowing some towns to gain any economic advantage on others that have already banned consuming the brown weed in public?
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I wrote about this study in yesterday’s Capitol Fax. I was a bit surprised by the results and I’m wondering what you think.
A study shows the number of naturalized citizens in Illinois since 2000 has increased, with the most growth occurring in state legislative districts now held by Republicans.
The numbers, compiled by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, underscore the changing face of the suburbs as new immigrants increasingly arrive and settle outside of Chicago. The findings imply future voting blocs that could wrestle political power from some longtime Republican strongholds. […]
According to the report, the average percentage increase in naturalized citizens is 62 percent higher in Illinois’ Republican House districts than in Democratic House districts — 22.4 percent vs. 13.8 percent — and 42 percent higher in Republican Senate districts than in Democratic Senate districts — 21.2 percent vs. 14.8 percent.
Of 10 House districts that saw the highest growth rate in naturalized citizens, nine are held by Republicans. The 10 Senate districts that saw the highest growth rate in naturalized citizens have seven seats held by Republicans.
You can download the complete report by clicking here.
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Taxes and budget stuff
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
The Post-Dispatch does some fact-checking on the governor’s new TV ad promoting his gross receipts tax…
The ad is also reminiscent of Blagojevich’s earlier campaign commercials in that it engages in what some would argue is a selective presentation of facts.
The ad implies that the scant income taxes often paid by major corporations are all they pay. In fact, those companies’ biggest tax expenses often are property, sales and other taxes.
It also implies the proposed new business tax plan would decrease residential property taxes, but there is no provision in the plan to do that. The ad also implies that the new tax would address the state’s pension crisis; however, that is part of a different Blagojevich plan, involving leasing the state lottery and restructuring debt.
I’m not sure if this was posted yesterday, but Treasurer Giannoulias expressed some serious reservations about the governor’s gross receipts tax this week…
“Our pension system needs help, obviously,†Giannoulias said Monday at a Statehouse news conference. “Health care for everybody would be great. I just, I want to make sure the GRT didn’t place too much of a burden on the consumers at some point. … I want to look at it a little more.â€
Giannoulias also wondered about the effect the tax would have on businesses.
“We definitely don’t want businesses leaving the state of Illinois,†he said.
And the governor told the Associated Press that voters shouldn’t be surprised that he is now proposing a huge tax increase and flatly stated that the gross receipts tax was the only way that schools would get more money…
“This gross receipts — this tax fairness proposal is very much along the lines of what I did for four years. It’s just a bigger, bolder version of it,†Blagojevich said.
In a 45-minute interview, Blagojevich said he’s not sure how much his plan would shrink the gap between the state’s richest and poorest schools, but he warned education advocates that his plan is the only way schools will get more money. […]
The governor said education advocates should back his plan as the only way schools will get more money.
“I’ll never raise the income tax or sales tax. So if we’re going to put money in our schools, this is it. This is the only game in town,†he said.
Finally, the Tribune reports that Gov. Blagojevich isn’t finding a lot of Statehouse support for his proposed gaming tax increase.
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Numbers
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
I didn’t see this Bernie Schoenburg column the other day about a recent poll taken by the Illinois Republican Party.
Among the findings of the 600 registered voter poll taken Feb. 20-21 was that the public ain’t exactly enamored with the idea of selling the Lottery. The idea was opposed by 67.3 percent, while just 13.7 percent approved and 19 percent had no opinion.
The other results are fairly predictable…
* Nearly 51 percent of respondents thought Illinois is “headed off on the wrong track,” compared with 36 percent saying the state us going in the “right direction.” The rest didn’t know or didn’t answer.
* Blagojevich was viewed by almost 37 percent in a “favorable” light, including 12.5 percent “very favorable” and 24.3 percent “somewhat favorable;” However, 46 percent were on the “unfavorable” side, including almost 28 percent saying they have a “very unfavorable” view of the governor. Almost 15 percent had no opinion, and yes, 2.5 percent had not heard of him.
* On job approval, 63.2 rated Blagojevich’s performance as “only fair” or “poor,” including 26.8 percent “poor.” There were 31.7 percent on the plus side, with 5.3 percent rating him as excellent, and 26.3 percent calling the performance “good.”
* 26 percent said state government “works well,” while 65.5 percent said it “needs reform.”
* Just under 20 percent said Blagojevich has “restored honesty and integrity to state government,” while 66.5 percent said it has been “politics as usual” under him. Nearly 14 percent didn’t know or didn’t answer.
* In a question that could be worded in different ways, 77.2 percent said they disapproved of the governor “taking money from the state employee pension fund to help balance the state budget.” In recent budget years, some money that would have gone to the fund was used for other purposes, but it wasn’t taken from the base. So this wording may paint too dismal a picture. […]
* Respondents were asked about a gross receipts tax on business “to pay for state subsidized health insurance for anyone in the state who currently does not have health insurance,” which is somewhat different from the plan the governor announced, which would also help some people pay for insurance they have.
The question also says the tax would end up “raising prices for consumers on all goods and services,” which doesn’t take into account exemptions announced by the governor last week. Given the flaws in the question, disapproval of the idea came in at 50.7 percent, while 33.2 percent approved.
* Just for fun, perhaps, the Republicans threw in a question asking if the state Constitution should be amended to allow voters “the right to recall state elected officials and vote them out of office before their term expires.” In all, 73.3 percent approved, while 13.3 percent disapproved and 13.3 percent didn’t answer.
You can download the poll by clicking here.
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Morning Shorts
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Governor returns to center stage to campaign for healthcare plan
* Budget leaves out harbor funding
* Plan to raise casino revenue might be gamble for governor:
“His answer to everything seems to be a tax increase,” she said. “The riverboat industry is a huge industry in the state of Illinois and provides a lot of income and a lot of jobs.”
* Analyst sees budget as ‘lifeboat’ for state GOP
* Slick ads promote business tax plan
* Budget advocates, opponents square off
* Businesses forsee hit if state passes payroll tax
* Cindy Richards: Guv’s budget lands in fair territory
The business community needs to stop stonewalling any idea that comes out of the governor’s mansion or propose a realistic plan that ensures all businesses pay their share of state bills.
* Governor’s plan sparks PR battle
* Former newsman goes to bat for governor on healthcare
* ComEd President: Rate freeze would bankrupt ComEd and cripple the state
* AG Madigan thinks Ameren downgrade may have been orchestrated
“The attorney general is concerned that the relationship between the utilities and the credit rating agencies is not nearly as independent as the utilities claim,” Ben Weinberg, chief of the public interest division for Madigan’s office, said Tuesday.
* Editorial: Ameren ups the ante in rate game
* Editorial: Voting on ICC members won’t help consumers
* Lawmakers not discouraged by Ameren’s ‘junk’ status
* AG Madigan and Patrick Fitzgerald announce $344 million judgment against Medicaid HMO [press release]
* The mother of all judgments; company emails
The case, brought by a civil whistleblower and then joined by federal authorities and the state attorney general’s office, charged that Amerigroup cherry-picked “healthies” and purposely avoided women in their third trimester of pregnancy because they cost more to insure
* U.S. stops payments to Tinley Center
* Senate committee passes .50 caliber rifle ban
* Bill would define lawsuit settlements as public information: “The public has a right to know about where their tax dollars are being spent and why a case had to be settled and who’s wrong.”
* Legislation regulating nurse/staff ratio has only tepid support
* Daley always knew city had to pony up for Olympics
In a stuttering response to a reporter’s question, Daley said he knew “at the beginning” of the bidding process that city money would have to be put on the table. Daley said he kept it quiet — not because he wanted to get past the mayoral election — but because “we’re not putting any direct money into it.”
* City Council takes up Olympic funding
* Daley on blame for postal woes: Feds are ‘Dysfunctional’
* The promise of reform at Cook Co. juvenile detention center
* U of I board buries the Chief
* ‘Uncle Amrish’ helped raise $500,000 for governor
* Immigrant rights groups say suburbs need to start listening
* Carol Marin: FBI inquiries give county officials reason to sweat
* Michael Sneed: Tillman, Daley, Inspector General Hoffman
* Editorial: Merc, CBOT merger good for Chicago
* Excerpts from recent editorials: HPV, budget , electric rates
* City Inspector named in bribe case, said to have pocketed $16,000
* Cooking county smoking ban starts Thursday
* West Chicago to get tough on landlords with code violations
* Smoking laws in some Southland towns
* Ousted candidates back on ballot in Summit Hill
* New Lennox mayor position not likely to be made full-time: I have a lot of time with a flexible schedule to be here when the village needs me, but I don’t think it needs an $80,000-a-year mayor’s salary.”
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