* The Tribune has a couple of good details about what’s ahead…

But the administration said it could accomplish its health-care plans through existing powers to shift a percentage of money from other budget lines, as well as by delaying payments to providers of health care to the poor. […]

[Besides the $200 million in “pork”] The governor also plans to eliminate what he called $300 million in legislative add-ons within agency programs and transfer the funds elsewhere. […]

Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) said the governor can use a 2 percent discretionary transfer authority to create a pot of money worth hundreds of millions of dollars to help underwrite the health-care plans.

* Sun-Times…

But as the day proceeded, a deep skepticism began to take hold that the governor may have overplayed his hand and merely was trying to save face from a disastrous legislative session.

* And the Sun-Times editorial board is clearly not happy, calling the move “the act of a dictator.”

The representatives of the people of Illinois soundly rejected the governor’s health expansion. Now he says he can do it by mandate.

* Carol Marin quotes Hunter S. Thompson’s famous line “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro,” and asks…

Did Hunter Thompson actually KNOW Rod Blagojevich?

* Daily Herald…

On Tuesday, Jones abandoned a coalition of legislative leaders who’d cut their own budget deal last week without Blagojevich and agreed to stick together and override any vetoes.

Jones denied there was any deal to back up the governor in return for higher pay. “Oh no. I’ve been fighting for these pay raises for a year,” Jones said. But suspicion hung thick at the Capitol, where Jones’ move was viewed as a double-cross.

* Some of the comments on yesterday’s post were quite excellent. Here are just a few…

* Reverse field…

Emil gave Madigan his version of the operating budget, but without embarassing a Democratic Governor w/ an override..Madigan eventually gets his members projects back through negotiating a capital bill. Rod has declared “victory” on health care and he can move straight to capital. Takes 8 to stop emergency rules on JCAR so that is not an option for Madigan. Plus these are poor people w/out insurance! Without the employer payroll tax–Madigan has to do the capital bill or look like an obstructionist. Madigan retrieves the member intiatives and Rod gets his long sought capital bill. Frank Watson’s letter today is further proof that the Governor is moving on capital and is likely to move on Frank’s individual members soon. If a capital bill zooms out of the Senate Madigan has little choice but to negotiate. Give the Goernor credit he is finally taking the advice of his legisaltive allies.

* DuPage Dave…

The sad thing to me is that if the Guv had come out with this as a plan in March- increase breast cancer screening, expand CHIP, and other tinkering with the health care system as steps toward a more “universal” system- and with a price tag of only $500 million- he would have had it approved very easily, I think. Instead we had lots of bluster about Armageddon and being on the side of the Lord, etc., demonizing any opponents of his poorly defined, multi-billion dollar scheme. This whole ordeal has been embarrassing, but it is not even remotely amusing. It’s just sad, sad, sad.

* amy…

surely his lawyers looked at this and said it is worth a shot. and why not. Pork or healthcare? That’s an easy call. and if Lisa Madigan has to weigh in on the legal dispute and does not side with health care, woe to her. this looks good for the people of Illinois.

Discuss.