Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2007

Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 2:24 pm - Let’s start a new thread, shall we? That other one is getting long. The governor, legislative leaders and about 40 or so rank and file state legislators are still meeting on the 2nd floor of the governor’s mansion.

House Speaker Michael Madigan informed reporters a few minutes ago that he has twice told Gov. Rod Blagojevich to stop calling him a Republican.

“Knock it off,” Madigan claimed to have said. Madigan made his comments as he exited the building, but he said he would be back later today for the rest of the meeting.

Gov. Blagojevich came down briefly to see if reporters wanted anything to eat or even a tour of the mansion. He didn’t answer many questions, but he said he would be more forthcoming after the meeting ends.

One of the questions the governor dodged was about Rep. Mike Bost’s suggestion that the House look at the impeachment option.

Blagojevich also didn’t answer a question about Rep. Joe Lyons’ comments to several reporters earlier today. Lyons (D-Chicago) reportedly called Blagojevich a “madman” and said the governor was “insane” while the House debate raged this morning.

* 2:46 pm - A large number of legislators, mostly Republicans, just walked out of the leaders meeting. Both House GOP Leader Tom Cross and Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson talked to the press afterwards and basically called today’s discussions a total waste of time.

The group broke for lunch and then the governor wanted to talk about pension funding, which is when the exodus reportedly began. Some legislators, like Rep. Bill Black, were upset that the governor was making available a pension expert this afternoon whom he had refused to provide to the House this morning. Others were just tired of the exercise.

The governor and a much smaller group of legislators remain on the 2nd floor of the mansion. Senate President Emil Jones has already left (out a side door, away from reporters) and Speaker Madigan left earlier.

* 3:13 pm - The governor will apparently be taking Madigan to court over the Speaker’s refusal to call special sessions at the date and time specified in the guv’s official special session proclamations. It just gets weirder and weirder by the minute around here. More later.

* 4:53 pm - Audio files…

* Gov. Blagojevich didn’t say much to reporters, said he had to return to the meeting, promised to come back and talk to reporters, then didn’t. Surprise, surprise…

[audio:Blagojevich-070707.mp3]

* Speaker Madigan. This is where Madigan talks about his “Knock it off” comment to Gov. Blagojevich…

[audio:MJM-070707.mp3]

* GOP leaders Cross and Watson. Harsh rhetoric about the guv…

[audio:CrossWatson-070707.mp3]

* The governor’s lawyer talks about a possible lawsuit against Speaker Madigan for convening special session four hours before the governor called the meeting…

[audio:Quinlan-070707.mp3]

* The governor’s spokespersons deal with the press at the very end of the day…

[audio:RauschOttenhoff-070707.mp3]

* 4:57 pm - Here are the Constitutional and statutory provisions cited by the governor’s lawyer in the audio above with a bit of commentary at the end from the guv’s office…

Constitutional Provision- Article IV, section 5(b):
“(b) The Governor may convene the General Assembly or the Senate alone in special session by a proclamation stating the purpose of the session; and only business encompassed by such purpose, together with any impeachments or confirmation of appointments shall be transacted. Special sessions of the General Assembly may also be convened by joint proclamation of the presiding officers of both houses, issued as provided by law.”

Special Session Statute- 25 ILCS 15/3:
“Sec. 3. Nothing in this Act affects the power of the Governor under Article IV, Section 5 of the Constitution of Illinois (1970) to call a special session. The Governor, when calling a special session, shall file the proclamation calling the session with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall take whatever reasonable steps necessary to notify the members of the General Assembly of the date and time of the special session.”

NOTE- Sections 1 and 2 of the Special Session Act set forth the procedures for the General Assembly to follow when calling a special session.

Section 3 simply states that the Special Session Act’s provisions dealing with how the General Assembly may call a special session do not affect the Governor’s power to call one under the Constitution, that the Governor shall file a proclamation with the Secretary of State, and that the Secretarty of State shall notify the legislators of the date and time of the special session.

* 5:27 pm - As promised hours ago, here’s Rep. Lou Lang’s House floor speech, wherein the Skokie Democrat excoriates Gov. Blagojevich…

[audio:loulang7707.mp3]

* 5:43 pm - The Sun-Times has a story up on its website…

Illinois’ budget stalemate threatened to explode today into a full-blown constitutional crisis as Gov. Blagojevich contemplated legal action against House Speaker Michael Madigan over whether the governor can set the time for lawmakers to meet on the budget. […]

“We believe the statute and constitution are clear. Speaker Madigan, during his tenure, has answered governors’ calls for special sessions at specific times. What he did is unprecedented,” Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said. “We think they’re challenging the Constitution. We believe the Constitution is clear.” […]

“Where is he? Why doesn’t he talk with us? I do not believe that he is fulfilling his obligations in his job. I believe that maybe we ought to look into what it will take, and if there are any violations, and do that check, to see if he is to the point that impeachment proceedings could start,” Bost said. […]

There did not appear to be unanimity among Republicans as the GOP’s floor leader, Black, urged his caucus to stop discussing the subject on the House floor.

The governor’s office declined comment on the impeachment question, and Madigan’s office said the speaker had no interest in pursuing the matter.

* 5:57 pm - The AP…

On Friday, Blagojevich said his fellow Chicago Democrat is acting like “a right-wing Republican” because he wants a limited-growth budget.

At a meeting Saturday between Blagojevich and lawmakers over the budget impasse, Madigan said he told Blagojevich “Knock it off. Let’s get serious about crafting a budget.”

A spokeswoman says Blagojevich’s comments are not personal but describe Madigan’s budgetary policy. The governor wants to expand the budget by billions of dollars to provide more health care and education.

108 Comments

This just in… *** Important updates in “red” ***

Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 10:14 am - The House has just 84 of 118 members present today.

* 10:19 am - The House Speaker is calling Special Session 3 to order, almost four hours early. Gov. Blagojevich had called SS#3 for 2 pm. Rep. Jay Hoffman, the guv’s floor leader, is challenging Madigan’s move. More info here.

* 10:21 am - Madigan asked the parliamentarian to respond to Hoffman, but noted first that yesterday’s special session began over two hours late and nobody objected.

Parliamentarian: The Constitution does not give authority to the governor to require a specific date and time. Instead, the Constitution gives each chamber the authority to decide when and where to meet. As for statutes, the special session laws do not require the governor to put date and time into SS proclamations, but does require it for the two legislative chamber leaders.

Hoffman: “You guys are gonna rule the way you want.”

Hoffman (speaking to colleagues): “You may not like me for saying this, but think about sticking around.” [Hmm… Perhaps the guv will call another special today?]

Rep. Black: “It doesn’t make any difference if we meet at 2, 4, 6… These arguments and press availabilities are degenerating into a childish, schoolyard tantrum.”

Rep. Lang: “I hardly know where to begin… The letter that was sent to the Speaker creating or attempting to create a Constitutional crisis is an insult to all of us.”

* 10:53 am - The governor has issued another proclamation calling another special session. This could go on all day.

* 10:57 am - The newest special session will convene at 2:30 pm today to consider any legislation to address the Child Support Administrative Fund. Download the proclamation here.

* 11:04 am - Rep. Bost just suggested that the House should look into impeachment. I think that’s the first time the “I” word has been mentioned on the House floor in my entire career.

* 11:07 am - Gubernatorial expert won’t be made available to testify to the House on the SERS pension system (the subject of Special Session 3) until 2 o’clock. The games continue.

* 11:10 am - If you’re not listening to the House debate, what the heck are you thinking? This is pretty fun stuff. Go here.

* 11:22 am - Rep. Black is now urging his colleagues to stop the rhetoric on impeachment.

* 11:40 am - Speaker Madigan has just advised Rep. Black that the governor has no authority to use the State Police to compel attendance at special sessions. Madigan is now convening Special Session 4. If I’m following this correctly, SS#4 was supposed to meet tomorrow at 2. [UPDATE: SS#4 is the one called today for 2:30.]

* 11:47 am - Speaker Madigan has invited everyone in the chamber to join the leaders meeting scheduled for noon. Hilarious.

* 11:49 am - Special Session 4 has been adjourned until Sunday at 5.

Madigan has told the House that he’ll adjourn and reconvene tomorrow afternoon at 5. He said that if the governor continues to issue proclamations, he will convene those special sessions at the same time tomorrow.

Madigan’s parliamentarian told the members that he is not aware of any authority that allows the governor to compel attendance to special sessions. “The governor controls the State Police, but it is our position there is no authority to compel (members of) the House into a special session.”

The Speaker has offered to give members copies of the language that his parliamentarian just cited, “so you can carry it with you.” The announcement was met with raucous laughter.

I’m heading into the Statehouse, so no updates for awhile.

* 1:29 pm - The leaders meeting has been moved to the governor’s mansion. Apparently, quite a few legislators are in the ballroom right now from both chambers. Reporters are being kept on the first floor. I was just sent a text from inside the meeting informing me that Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) is giving the governor what-for.

Lang delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor earlier today and I’m trying to get it uploaded here.

* 1:34 pm - Lang’s comments in the leaders meeting a few minutes ago were about the pension bill. Lang pointed out that the House has voted down the Lottery lease bill and that it couldn’t pass out of the Senate anyway so it’s a waste of time to continue discussing it.

Senate President Jones then sharply criticized Lang for his comments earlier today.

I’m having trouble uploading Lang’s speech. Maybe later. Somebody else needs to use this computer now.

58 Comments

Question of the day

Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

We haven’t had a Saturday QOTD in a while, so I’m not sure how many responses we’ll get, but since the GA is in session today we might as well give it a go…

What do you think Speaker Madigan’s “end game” is? In other words, what does he really hope to accomplish this session, if anything?

47 Comments

Ugh

Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The back and forth between Gov. Blagojevich and Speaker Madigan ratcheted up a notch yesterday. This exchange happened after the House killed off the governor’s plan to lease the state Lottery…

“Our challenge is to try to convince House Democrats, Mr. Madigan, to stop being a Republican, to stop forming partnerships with conservative right-wing Republicans to pass budgets that take health care away from children, that take services away from senior citizens, that cut education,'’ Blagojevich said. “We need to get Mr. Madigan to be a Democrat again and stop being a George Bush Republican,'’ Blagojevich said.

“It demonstrates his immaturity,'’ said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown. “He rolls out a string of insults and offers no solutions about the budget impasse.”

Asked whether the comments are part of a strategy on the governor’s part to isolate Madigan, Brown said, “I don’t know. I’m not a psychiatrist.”

* But some Senate Democrats weren’t buying into the spin…

“They implied [at the Senate Democratic caucus meeting] that if you weren’t for what the governor is for that you’re not a good Democrat. That’s scary. It’s just not right,” [Sen. Mike Jacobs] said. “It reminds me a little bit of the old days when people would say they’re not a good Nazi.”

* And reporters finally cornered Blagojevich on his failure to convince either chamber to support his proposals. As I’ve been trying to point out for days, the problem isn’t just Madigan, it’s also the governor’s lack of support among Senate Democrats…

While blaming Madigan for the budget impasse, Blagojevich admitted his proposals don’t have full support from Senate Democrats. His Senate allies have not tried to pass his budget or the pension plan rejected by the House.

That paragraph was buried at the very bottom, but at least it made the story.

* Here’s a bit of info on the Lottery vote…

The governor’s plan, which would use the proceeds of the sale to prop up the state’s pension funds, was defeated on a 78-6 vote.

Opponents said it is a bad idea to sell off a state asset that brings in a large chunk of cash every year.

“You don’t mortgage your future to pay your grocery bill,” said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.

Blagojevich said the defeat of his plan was “predictable” in light of a similar, earlier vote in which the House overwhelmingly voted down the governor’s plan to raise taxes on businesses.

“Mr. Madigan has consistently taken solutions off the table and has not offered any alternative solutions,” said Blagojevich. “It’s part of the three-ring circus that he’s conducting there in the House as opposed to sitting down with us and negotiating in good faith.“

Um, exactly when has the governor hosted any meaningful negotiations on the budget?

* And I’m not sure I agree with this analysis…

Blagojevich has proven adept at portraying modest success as major progress.

On the day the House crushed his business-tax concept on a 107-0 vote, he managed to characterize the outcome as a positive development toward getting a budget.

“Today, I think, was basically an up,” he said then, adding, “I feel good about it.”

I don’t think that comment was “adept.” “Inept,” perhaps, “ridiculous” maybe, or even “deeply delusional,” but not adept.

15 Comments

Blagojevich: Madigan action “unlawful”

Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Remember yesterday when there was some confusion over whether Speaker Madigan or Gov. Blagojevich had the right to name the exact time of the special sessions? Madigan called today’s session for ten o’clock while Blagojevich called the special session for 2.

Well, the governor is insisting that Madigan is violating the law by not following his special session proclamation. This letter was sent by the governor to Madigan and all members late yesterday. Noteworthy stuff is highlighted…

July 6, 2007

The Honorable Michael J Madigan

Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives

Dear Mr Speaker

I am in receipt of your letter of July 6, 2007, in which you state that the Illinois House of Representatives intends to take the unprecedented step of convening a special session prior to the time set forth in the proclamation I issued pursuant to the Illinois Constitution and the Special Session Act. Your letter states that you intend to convene the Third Special Session at 10:00 am tomorrow morning. While I applaud your eagerness to engage in discussions that will hopefully move us towards resolving the grave problems facing the State Employees Retirement System tomorrow morning, I must remind you that the Third Special Session I have called to address this issue is to convene at 2 p.m tomorrow afternoon, as set forth in the proclamation, not at 10 am. as your letter suggests.

The issues facing the State Employees Retirement System are critical, which is why I have set a specific date and time to convene a special session, pursuant to my constitutional and statutory authority. As you know, the Illinois Constitution and the Special Session Act confer upon the Governor the authority to convene the General Assembly in special session by a proclamation stating the purpose of the session. In fact, the Supreme Court of Illinois has explicitly recognized that the Governor “possesses the authority to convene the General Assembly in special session at any time when, in the exercise of his official discretion, he deems the occasion warrants such action ..” […]

The authority to convene a special session, at the date and time designated by the Governor, has also been acknowledged by statute in the Special Session Act, which was passed by the House, and which provides…

Nothing in this Act affects the power of the Governor under Article IV. Section 5 of the Constitution of Illinois (1970)to call a special session. The Governor, when calling a special session, shall file the proclamation calling the session with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall take whatever reasonable steps necessary to notify the members of the General Assembly of the date and time of the special session,

25 ILCS 15/3 (West 2007).

Numerous Illinois Governors have, throughout the last century. convened special sessions of the General Assembly and set the date and time for special sessions by proclamation pursuant to their constitutional authority. See, e.g., Journal of the Senate of the Forty-Sixth General Assembly (Proclamation of Special Session). December 14, 1909 (Governor Charles S. Deneen issuing a proclamation for special session “to commence on the 14th day of Pccember, AD. 1909, at twelve o’clock noon …”). And previous Illinois Aorney Generals have consistently affirmed the propriety of such practice. […]

Your attempt to unilaterally change the time for the Third Special Session, set by lawful proclamation, is in contravention of this well-established law and longstanding practice. In addition to being unlawful, it will cause practical problems and confusion among the individuals testifying on this issue, as well as the members of the General Assembly, who have been formally notified to appear at 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon to consider and debate this issue.

While it is certainly within your prerogative to convene regular session days at the time of your choosing, it is expected that you, as a State elected official, will comply with the mandates of the Illinois Constitution by convening the Third Special Session at the date and time set forth in the legal proclamation issued.

It’s a wonder that they can agree to the shape of the bargaining table.

32 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s Capitol Fax (Use all caps in password)

Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

« NEWER POSTS