* I noticed a lack of coverage of a few tax and spend-related issues when I returned from vacation.
* The first example really isn’t a surprise, but it’s the first time that House Speaker Michael Madigan has come out and directly said that Illinois is heading for a tax increase, one way or another…
“Before we finish the budget in May or June, Illinois is going to need a tax increase,†said Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, during an appearance this week at the College of Lake County’s Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan. “You’ve heard it many, many times: We need more and better education. That takes money.â€
Madigan contends a state budget relying solely on the current tax structure would be unable to garner enough votes for approval. It’s projected that the state will have an additional $1 billion in the budget to spend if no changes are made to state taxes. But nearly $600 million of that is legally obligated to the state pension system.
The remaining $400 million likely isn’t enough to appease lawmakers who want to see meaningful increases in education spending, health care, law enforcement and other programs and projects.
“The notion you could find a majority in the House or Senate to vote for a budget under those circumstances, I think the speaker feels is pretty remote,†Madigan spokesman Steve Brown elaborated Thursday.
* Last Monday, AFSCME executive director Henry Bayer sent a memo to his local presidents announcing that the governor had backed off his plan to lay off 203 Department of Corrections employees. The initial layoff decision followed the recommendations of a year-long study of staffing levels, at a cost to taxpayers of $450,000. AFSCME has long complained about low staffing levels throughout many important state agencies.
* AFSCME then endorsed the governor’s gross receipts tax proposal. The union and the governor both deny there was any quid pro quo.
* AFSCME won’t endorse the governor’s budget, however. The union wants to see much more money spent on frontline staff. But, as YDD notes over at Illinoize, AFSCME’S favorable nod for the GRT could finally bring in the Illinois AFL-CIO, which has been sidelined while AFSCME worked out a deal.
As Capitol Fax reported earlier, AFSCME’s lukewarm reception to the GRT was standing in the way of an AFL-CIO endorsement of the GRT. That obstacle appears to have been removed now. I doubt an all-out push from the AFL-CIO is all that far behind, especially since former AFL-CIO head Margaret Blackshere chairs the committee paying for all of the Governor’s t.v. ads. […]
Although it’s a small step, the AFSCME endorsement could result in a giant leap if the leash comes off the AFL-CIO. Full engagement of the AFL-CIO means it will be difficult for Speaker Madigan to act as the lone stopper for the Governor’s plan, sans a viable alternative.
* Capitol Fax subscribers heard about this development a couple of weeks ago, although the publication wasn’t credited in last week’s SJ-R story…
llinois State Police removed the security detail assigned for more than a year to state Comptroller Dan Hynes and denied state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias protection he requested for a Chicago event within days of the two officeholders criticism of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s business-tax plan.
Spokespeople for Hynes and Giannoulias question the timing. But a spokeswoman for the governor strongly denied that security decisions by state police - who are under the control of the governor - have anything to do with policy positions taken by the statewide elected leaders. […]
Cmdr. Mark Piccoli, head of the executive protection unit within the state police, said that for constitutional officers other than the governor, protection is “based on threat assessment.” […]
But Scott Burnham, spokesman for Giannoulias, said the treasurer twice received police protection for large events in the past when no threats were involved.
* Meanwhile, you probably heard about these developments because they are nepotism items…
Soon to marry one of Illinois’ most powerful politicians, Lorrie Rickman Stone was promoted to a new state job in September 2005.
Two months later, she wed Senate President Emil Jones. And two months after that, her salary had soared by nearly $70,000.
The Blagojevich administration created a special salary class for her position alone, so the psychologist - now Lorrie Rickman Jones - saw her pay rise from $116,460 to $186,000, a 60 percent increase, The Associated Press found after a review of state documents.
And…
The Blagojevich administration rescinded its rule that the state’s mental health chief be a medical doctor just before the wife of Senate President Emil Jones got the job.
A top Jones aide and the state Department of Human Services insist the promotion of Lorrie Jones, a psychologist, was legitimate under state law. But a government watchdog called the move “curious” given that the job was tailor-made for the spouse of Blagojevich’s top legislative ally.
And…
Gov. Blagojevich’s administration hired Senate President Emil Jones’ son for a $57,360-a-year state commerce job at the same time Jones emerged as the chief legislative advocate for a contentious new business tax pushed by the governor.
Emil Jones III began as the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s manager of real estate development April 3.
* More tax and spend stories, compiled by Paul Richardson…
* Report: $466 million could be saved by shifting health insurance burden
* Rep. Jefferson supports Gov’s tax proposal
* Two area legislators say tax plan unlikely to pass as is
* Big issues left for lawmakers this session
* Battle over GRT rages on
* Quinn feuds with governor on tax plan, electric rates
* Expert: Governor’s plan rejects necessary ‘backroom deals’
* Gov pals frequent fliers on state planes; Topinka responds
*** UPDATE *** Aaron Chambers tells us that the Senate will have a hearing on the GRT this Wednesday, but there will be no vote…
Senate President Emil Jones Jr., D-Chicago, backs the governor’s plan. And at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jones will convene a hearing on it.
Committee members are not expected to vote Wednesday, however. Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer told me Friday that senators need more time to soak up the governor’s plan.
Judging from the chilly reception that Blagojevich has received from lawmakers since he announced his concept in early March, I’m guessing that the committee won’t be voting simply because Jones has not mustered enough support among his Democrats to win committee approval.
- Concerned Voter - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 8:57 am:
Well, I guess we see why Emil luvs the guv sooo much, when he gives all his relatives nice paychecks.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 8:59 am:
It is very difficult to read through these news items and have any hope for Illinois with Blagojevich as governor.
He seems to be doing exactly what he said he would never do to get things done as governor.
We are doomed while he sits and uses our tax money to buy support for his tax increases.
- He Makes Ryan look like a saint - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 9:16 am:
There needs to be an investigation of Emils wife. 70K raise is more than most state workers make in a year.
It looks as if the Gov is going to give out “gifts” to organizations/people who support his GRT and take away/Punish those who don’t (Security Details etc.)
WHen is he going to move Quinn out of the capitol?
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 9:19 am:
Over and over we hear the blantant in your face attitude of this administration. Their view is we got relected with all the corruption swrilling around us, so it’s obvious the taxpayers of Illinois expect this behavior.
Rich you said you believe this Governor truly believes in his healthcare plan. What a bunch of bull.
The tax payers of Illiois may expect political corruption but the historians will not be kind to Rod. Unless he is able to get universal healthcare for all of Illinois. At no matter the cost to the taxpayers. Since all historians tend to be liberal. Rod knows this is the perfect issue to put him in a favorable light with the lefties.
Rich you must know all politicians have very large ego’s and glowing legacy is what Blago dreams of.
- fedup dem - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 9:20 am:
The fact that a vote is being delayed is good to hear. It is time that Senate Democrats stand up to Jones, who acts too much like a cheerleader for Gov. Sleazy when he isn’t kissing up to big business like a Republican. His fellow Democrats should tell Jones and the GRT to go to Hell.
- Niles Township - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 9:39 am:
Glad to see Pat is keeping up on this GRT issue. Doesn’t seem like the normal, one Sunday press conference and done strategy he normally takes. Quinn may have the most to gain and least to lose in this whole debate.
- Team Sleep - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 10:19 am:
I’m worried about bringing children into this world while living in Illinois. We are basically bankrupt and I think corruption and heavy-handed influence in government are just as bad as ever before.
To me, the Hynes-Giannoulias security issue shows a lot of what is wrong with the current administration. They are abusing power and show no real reason for why they do what they do. It reminds me of the Bush Administration in that the level of secrecy and lack of reasoning for key moves are maddening. The voting public deserves credibility and, in the very least, reasons why bad programs and practices are put in motion. God forbid we’d hear some straight talk!
- Sick Of It! - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 12:26 pm:
I wonder what the average AFSCME member thinks of this endorsement of the GRT plan. The ones that I have heard comment dont seem too pleased about it.
- vole - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 12:38 pm:
How is it that politicians can sweet talk the electorate with all that “good heart” stuff and continue to stab us in the back at the same time?
- An average AFSCME member - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 12:45 pm:
In answer to “Sick Of It”, I think it stinks on ice, and makes my union look corrupt and foolish. I was glad to see Mags depart, but it seems she just went and formalized a relationship she had with Blago all along. The leadership in time is going to be sorry they caved on such a cheap and obvious trade.
- Gregor - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 12:49 pm:
Blago’s Air Force, why am I not surprised? The sense of entitlement those folks have staggers the imagination.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 2:10 pm:
One can’t help wonder what impact the Jones’ jobs revelations will have on his credibility within his own Caucus. Not good is the answer, I imagine.
- He Makes Ryan look like a saint - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 2:17 pm:
It just gets more and more sickning to be a citizen of Illinois and see on how our politicians act and the benefits they receive. Emil seems to head the list now. While I am stuck here, I will recommend to my children that they find somewhere else to live.
- Aquanet+ - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 2:27 pm:
Rich,
I’ll bet dinner at Gibson’s that Governor Blagojevich’s legacy will be one racked with indictments and prison time. He really is an embarrassment to all Democrats, Republicans, Independents etc.
- Cat - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 4:21 pm:
Emil’s son should apply to be a chauffer for his step-mom - that would be a $13,000+ raise!
- Sybil - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 7:14 pm:
To Cat - your comment is hilarious. It could happen.
- Gregor - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 7:33 pm:
Did you hear? Rod’s promised all the Olympic athletes free health insurance!
- Disgusted - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 8:15 pm:
As a new AFSCME convert, I can tell you that most of the ones I know aren’t interested in supporting anything the governor does. But then again, we have an sleazy relationship with our union - we use membership to get our raises and they use our union dues to support people we can’t stand. Sad, isn’t it.
- State Worker w/ MBA - Monday, Apr 16, 07 @ 9:28 pm:
Most merit comp employees don’t make 70k a year and have not had a pay raise in over 5 years. Also when other MC employee took early out or retired their job duties were dumped on those left behind again with no compensation for all the extras. Then we find out stuff like this.
The raise is not the worst of it. Read about the special title being created, the raise being given before the position was even approved, raise being retroactive which I have heard is against state law.
Tell me who needs to take the ethics exam again.
- NoGiftsPlease - Tuesday, Apr 17, 07 @ 8:30 pm:
Its really going to be hard keeping up with the Joneses. I’m a lifelong democrat and I’m disgusted.