VRDOLYAK INDICTED *** Updated x9 ***
Thursday, May 10, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller *** The full indictment can be downloaded here. *** *** The press release issued by Fitzgerald can be downloaded here. *** *** If you missed Fitzgerald’s press conference, you can watch part of it at NBC5’s website by clicking here. *** *** UPDATE 9 *** Vrdolyak’s mouthpiece speaks to the Sun-Times…
*** UPDATE 8 *** From the press release…
*** UPDATE 7 *** John Kass’ column is already up. It ends like this…
*** UPDATE 6 *** ABC7 is carrying the press conference live right now. Go here. NBC5’s live video feed can be found here. *** UPDATE 5 *** From the indictment…
[…]
*** UPDATE 4 *** From CBS2…
*** UPDATE 3 ***
*** UPDATE 1 *** John Kass explained “Operation Board Games” in a column…
*** UPDATE 2 *** The Tribune has a brief story up…
I wonder what this might be about? [Emphasis added]…
I’ll open comments when we know what’s going on.
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Will Madigan make the Century Club? *** Updated x24 ***
Thursday, May 10, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller Updated and bumped up and comments are now open. Check update “2″ for some breaking news. We’ll use this later today to live blog the House debate on Madigan’s resolution asking members for an up or down nonbinding vote on whether they support the GRT and I’ll open comments at that time. *** UPDATE 24 *** The Farm Bureau website has a clip of Madigan’s comments, or you can click below… Also, the rollcall is now online. Click here. *** UPDATE 23 *** The rollcall still isn’t online, but the “PRESENT” votes were: Marlow Colvin, Will Davis, LaShawn Ford, Connie Howard, Chuck Jefferson, Al Riley and Eddie Washington. I don’t know if it makes any difference, but they are all African-American Democrats. *** UPDATE 22 *** Madigan went straight to his office without commenting to reporters. *** UPDATE 21 *** You can find the rollcall at this link in a few minutes. *** UPDATE 20 *** 0 YES; 107 NO; 7 PRESENT *** UPDATE 19 *** Speaker Madigan closes the debate. “A proposal for the imposition of a gross receipts tax in Illinois, would constitute a fundamental shift of philosophy of taxation in this state.” This would be the first time that Madigan has specifically come out against the GRT. Madigan said that when people start companies they figure on losing money in the first year or two, and the GRT would harm those business plans. “The gross receipts tax is a regressive tax.” “Even his own lt. governor has stated opposition to the tax. The mayor of Chicago has stated opposition to the tax…” “I plan to vote ‘NO’ today.” *** UPDATE 18 *** Rep. Bill Black: I don’t want to see unnamed sources say, there’s really 35, 45, 55 votes for the gross receipts tax… they just didn’t want to vote against the Speaker… and at a date to be determined they will rise and say they support it. No means no. *** UPDATE 17 *** From the Tribune’s Clout Street blog [emphasis added]…
*** UPDATE 16 *** House GOP Leader Tom Cross: “From a policy standpoint (the GRT) just doesn’t work.” *** UPDATE 15 *** Stephens moved that the resolution vote be exempted from the Century Club award. Madigan: “We were ahead of you. That was the plan.” *** UPDATE 14 *** Rep. Ron Stephens: The governor mentioned yesterday that the electric rate issue is so critical, but the governor has not yet bothered to even call a meeting to negotiate the issue. *** UPDATE 13 *** Rep. Julie Hamos: Also voting “NO” today. “I hope that our votes today will not be misinterpreted that… (we need) efforts to change (business tax structure).” “The governor has made a compelling case… that businesses are not paying their fair share in Illinois.” Suggests a “modified GRT,” perhaps a “value added tax” or a “gross margins tax.” *** UPDATE 12 *** Rep. John Bradley: Disagrees with Hoffman when he said that the House should wait and see what the money will be used to fund. Bradley is saying that it’s important to look at the GRT for what it is, a regressive tax. *** UPDATE 11 *** More Hoffman: The resolution doesn’t even match the changes that the Senate made. Hoffman also read a letter from SEIU and the Laborer’s Union, which claims that the vote on the resolution is “premature.” The labor leaders (Ed Smith and Tom Balanoff) ask that all members vote “NO.” Hoffman said he would also vote “NO.” *** UPDATE 10 *** More Hoffman: “I don’t understand why people can’t hear that (speaking of the governor’s promises not to raise income or sales taxes)… Unless we have 71 votes in this House to raise the income tax, why are we even talking about it?” *** UPDATE 9 *** Rep. Jay Hoffman, Blagojevich’s House floor leader, is speaking. “We have three weeks to get together, to pass a budget… Why are we doing this today? Who would vote for a tax increase without knowing where the money is going to go?” *** UPDATE 8 *** Rep. Rosemary Mulligan just asked Madigan whether they should continue with the vote because of the governor’s request that everyone vote “NO.” Madigan: “I would recommend that we engage in a good faith (debate)” *** UPDATE 7 *** Paul says that House Republicans have signs on the back of their laptops which read: “No means no governor” *** UPDATE 6 *** The House has begun debating the Madigan GRT resolution. Go here for live audio and video. *** UPDATE 5 *** A reporter buddy just cracked that the guv’s request for “No” votes on Madigan’s resolution is like “the high school coach who forfeits the game rather than get skunked.” lol It doesn’t appear, from that comment and the AP story below, that reporters are impressed by this move. *** UPDATE 4 *** The AP’s take on the situation…
*** UPDATE 3 *** My interview this morning on WBEZ can be found here, or you can listen below… *** UPDATE x2 *** This just in from the governor’s office [emphasis added]…
It looks like Madigan may get the trophy after all. LOL *** UPDATE 1 *** If you were wondering about my mention of the House’s “Century Club” trophy, here are a couple of photos. The trophy is “awarded” to members whose bills receive at least 100 “NO” votes. Madigan’s resolution on the GRT might get close. These were taken with my Treo, so they’re not great. Check out the photo behind the trophy in the first example. Madigan hisself… A closeup of the trophy… WBEZ just called asking for an interview, so some posting might be delayed. I’m supposed to be on around 9ish, so tune in your radio or click here to listen on the Intertubes.
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Question of the day
Thursday, May 10, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller Setup, Part One, is Paul’s compilation of GRT-related news stories…
Setup, Part Two, is this e-mail which was forwarded to me yesterday by a friend…
Question: Which of those three options do you prefer?
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Surprising vote on gun bill
Thursday, May 10, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller The rollcall on this bill was pretty surprising…
The Illinois State Rifle Association has kicked up a lot of dust over this bill, claiming at one point that Kotowski was “dancing in the blood of the Virginia Tech victims.” But the bill had bipartisan support and could not have passed without several Republican votes. You can download the rollcall here, but Republican Senators Althoff, Cronin, Dillard, Hultgren, Millner and Murphy all voted for it. Murphy? Matt Murphy, who was backed by conservative money bags Jack Roeser in last year’s primary? I asked Murphy about his vote last night and he said that besides the fact that he supports stuff like this, the bill is popular in his district. Anyway, here is a mailer that ISRA sent out a few weeks back attacking Kotowski. Click the pics to see larger images. It’s quite something… Discuss.
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Morning Shorts
Thursday, May 10, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson * Protesters rally against utility rates * Protesters demand rate relief during capitol rally * Illinois is still irate over rates
* Sun-Times Editorial: Power rollback would be a mistake
* Cesspool of mismanagement cited in audit of juvenile center * Mental Health system decried
* AG Madigan investigated Olympia meeting complaint * Erwin selected as new education commissioner * McQueary: If only I could get a life * Mayor introduces ordinance to review police wrongdoing allegations * Daley appoints nephew to states sports authority * Shakman rips county inspector general office
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Hunsdorfer fundraiser reminder
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller Don’t forget that the fundraiser to help former House Staffer Tim Hunsdorfer pay off some of his crushing debt load is tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Illinois Federation of Teachers Headquarters, 700 S. College, Springfield. Beer, wine, soda and “heavy appetizers” will be served. Tim is very, very sick and he really needs some help. If you can’t make it to the fundraiser and would still like to kick in a few bucks, go here and scroll down for info. I plan to be there. I’ll probably split my time between that one and the Beer Distributors’ shindig.
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FRESH GRT THREAD
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
This is a fresh thread. I really need to buy a generator. [Earlier updates and comments can be found here…. Today’s schedule is here.] [If you’re having any trouble looking at the video or hearing the audio, open your Windows Media application and under “Open URL†enter (for video) http://12.43.64.137/hsevideo or for audio: http://12.43.64.137/audio] 4:48 The Committee of the Whole is officially adjourned. 4:26 Rep. Flowers: “Mr. Filan you are subsidizing the rich.” [applause] 4:23 The specific impact of the employee tax credit (passed in the Senate yesterday) has been answered in entirely different ways by the panelists today. Filan has stated that it will have the effect of exempting the first $5 million in almost all cases. Earlier, Tom Johnson claimed that in only rare cases will all $5 million be exempt. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, and I expect we will hear more details on each argument over the coming days. 4:17 Rep. Mulligan: “We want fried chicken on Sunday tax proposal…You kill the chicken and you no longer get the eggs anymore.†3:51 John Filan will be the committee’s final speaker. He is relaying his usual remarks highlighting the GRT’s “broad base” benefit, complaining about the flaws in the current corporate income tax system, and highlighting the success of other states with the GRT. 3:42 Mr. Peters, Illinois Hospital Association: Attempting to re-frame the debate away from the mechanics of the tax and onto the use of the increased revenue…“The GRT is neither good nor bad unto itself. It can only be reasoned in the context of purpose.†3:23 Fritchey: “Mr. Treasurer your comments were superb. They truly were. What you have learned in 100 days about engaging the legislature…I want to thank you not only on behalf of our caucus by other chamber members I have talked to as well.†3:18 The House response to Giannoulias is certainly telling. By far the warmest of the day. 3:16: The Treasurer is speaking now on compromise: “I could easily spend all of my time bashing the governor’s plan and make headlines as the new guy…The last thing you want to hear is a ‘lets hug it out’ ideal from a 31 year old…Lets work together and not squander this opportunity to achieve greatness…all or nothing approaches to solving problems are counterproductive.†3:10: Rep. Hamos cuts Trevor Martin and Greg Blankenship: If they don’t believe that there are any specific programs/issues/concerns in the state that require fund increases, than obviously they would be against any tax increase (GRT included). 3:03: I have a hard time believing that lawmakers have heard anything today that is that truly novel or persuasive. There are few topics any denser than complex tax policy. As the committee meeting hits the 6 hour mark in this 80 degree weather more than a few legislators have literally closed their eyes for a couple minutes of nap time. 2:54: Pantagraph story is up…
2:41: OK, Rich again for one last post today. You can find this month’s Fiscal Focus, published by Comptroller Hynes which analyzes the GRT by clicking here [pdf file]. 2:35: Professor Fred Giertz explains that it is misleading to focus only on “small business” that are adversely affected by the GRT. Just because a business is large doesn’t mean it can sustain the hit from the tax. 2:21: Paul has the helm. 2:18: The governor’s budget office asked that I post these two releases on the blog, so here you go. Both are .doc files…
1:54: Taxpayers’ Federation: GRT is essentially a form of income tax, and therefore violates the state’s Constitution, which limits the ratio of corporate to personal income taxes. 1:52: The Committee of the Whole isn’t the only show in town today…
1:50: I’m not sensing so far that anyone’s mind has been changed by any of this debate. Your thoughts? 1:43: The Illinois Farm Bureau has a brief story and a couple of audio clips…
1:32: The Sun-Times now has a story…
1:13: I just noticed that the Daily Herald’s Animal Farm bloggy type thing did a bit of live-blogging earlier today. Here’s an excerpt…
1:06: Gordon to IFT and IEA: Provide to me the amount of money you need, not want. (Asked for written response.) 1:02: Oops. I forgot to post today’s schedule. Here it is. 12:55: CBS2 has some video. 12:47: The Tribune’s Clout Street blog has an update…
12:42: Press release from the Illinois Association of Realtors…
The study can be downloaded here. 12:36: Speaker Madigan said earlier that the House would vote on a resolution tomorrow on the GRT. The resolution is now online and can be found here. It begins with a fairly neutral explanation of the gross receipts tax and then concludes thusly…
Madigan is the sponsor and House GOP Leader Tom Cross is the chief co-sponsor. 12:18: Greg Baise of the Illinois Manufacturers Association pointed out a few minutes ago that Illinois has lost 200,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000. No offense to Baise, but I thought the single sales factor exemption that was rammed through the legislature about that time was supposed to create 200,000 manufacturing jobs? 12:01: Dave Vite of IRMA: “Small business is not exempt.” He’s using the pyramiding argument now. “Gasoline will cost between 7 and 15 cents more per gallon. 12:01: The governor has a new press release touting his remarks. Find it here. 11:54: More audio clips from our friends at Metro Networks. These are from yesterday’s Senate Executive Committee meeting. The first is a sharp disagreement among committee members… And here is some raw audio of Emil Jones’ remarks… 11:50: Here’s a short audio clip from the governor’s remarks… [If that doesn’t work, go to the 11:35: Quinn’s time is up. Next in the dock, Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael Carrigan and other labor leaders. 11:35: Rose: Do real people pay the tax on this GRT? Quinn: It’s a soak the middle class tax. 11:28: Hoffman just pointed out that Quinn’s alternative funding solutions aren’t adequate to solve the problems that Quinn claims need to be addressed. 11:28: The governor didn’t say a word to the press as he left the chamber. The entrance and exit was what worried his staff the most. 11:26: From the Tribune…
11:19: Pat Quinn: “Ben Franklin did not say it was inevitable to be taxed to death.” Ouch. His remarks are sure to sting as he goes along. 11:19: The governor’s finished. From what I heard, the questions were too long and open-ended for the short-answer format imposed on the proceedings. 11:02: The Senate Republicans have introduced a resolution calling for the rejection of the GRT. No Democratic co-sponsors yet. The resolution is here. [Hat tip: IP] 10:57: Lang: “You say you’re here in the spirit of compromise… but you’ve shut all of those other [tax hike] option down…. How can we compromise with you if there’s only one thing left on the table?” [applause] Governor said he would talk compromise as long as the alternative ideas are for big bucks and comprehensive and not a sales or income tax. 10:51: Interestingly enough, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) is asking about exempting family farms. 10:43: Power is back on. Apparently, the time limits are pretty strict, so some Repubs are being forced to submit them in writing. Dems are asking questions now. Rep. Jack Franks is the first. I’m going to try and restore that other post, but this is the thread to use.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller Blogging on other topics will have to wait until later this morning because of the Committee of the Whole meeting. In the meantime, here’s your question: Who is your favorite Illinois politician? Explain.
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Committee of the Whole open thread and GRT updates
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller * The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 9 o’clock. You can listen or watch it live at this link. Use the comments to help live blog it. 9:46: If you’re having any trouble looking at the video or hearing the audio, open your Windows Media application and under “Open URL” enter (for video) http://12.43.64.137/hsevideo or for audio: http://12.43.64.137/audio 9:41: The guv just warned of a billion dollars in budget cuts if nothing is done this session. He also reiterated his pledge to veto a tax increase on “people.” 9:27: Anyone else having trouble with audio or video? Big problems on my end. Looks like the governor is beginning now. Wow, they swore him in. 9:26: Madigan just said that the House will vote tomorrow on a resolution asking members whether they are for or against the GRT. 9:16: OK, it’s starting. 9:11: While we’re waiting, I forgot to mention that the blog was referenced in an NPR “All Things Considered” report yesterday. Go here and click on the “Listen” button directly under the headline “Florida Joins Crackdown on Campaign ‘Robo-Calls’” 9:07: Members are still milling about, according to Paul. It hasn’t begun yet, so that’s why your video/audio feeds aren’t working. * Mayor Daley, whose words always hold sway at the Statehouse, urged compromise yesterday…
UPDATE: I accidentally killed off the rest of this post trying to update it from my Treo. Live and learn, I suppose. Here are the GRT links from earlier today…
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Morning Shorts
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson * ComEd says rate freeze could prompt suit
* ComEd to pay out bill relief, Ameren will not * Kadner: Customers getting hot over freezing cable * State limiting public use of armories * Mortgage probe brings suspensions; more here * Illinois offers aid to tornado ravaged Kansas * House sends message about altering its own pay * Legislators consider bills to make teens drive safer; more here * Tribune Editorial: Give illegals the ability to drive * Brown: Certificate bill drives immigration debate
* Horse slaughtering, values clash in Illinois * Excerpts from recent Illinois editorials * DuPage Co. mulls home-rule to boost revenue
* Sneed: Ald. Burke & horse-slaughter bill * Chicago Olympic team mum on potential revenue * Mayor defends plan to fight police wrongdoing * Police say killing of candidate’s son wasn’t political
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