Governor’s announcement on mass transit funding
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
Here’s the governor’s full press release announcing his actions. The guv’s press release is wrong, by the way, it’s House Bill 656, not Senate Bill 656…
Gov. Blagojevich vows to act quickly on long-term transit solution to avert CTA doomsday
Will accept Hamos-version of solution passed by legislature, but will insert change to protect seniors from impact of .25% sales tax increase approved by lawmakers
SPRINGFIELD – Soon after both chambers of the General Assembly approved a long-term mass transit funding bill today, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich was joined by transit officials and state Rep. Julie Hamos as he announced his intention to act on the bill as soon as it is certified and sent to his desk. While the Governor has been clear in his opposition to increasing the sales tax to fund mass transit, he said today he will accept the approach passed by the General Assembly in Senate Bill 656 in order to avert devastating service cuts and fare increases, but will use his amendatory veto authority to make sure seniors citizens can use public transportation for free.
“I’ve said clearly and frequently that I don’t think raising the sales tax is the right way to help the CTA and other transit agencies. People already pay too much in taxes; I believe they should pay less, not more. Even though the increase in the bill passed by lawmakers is small, people will still feel an impact. Despite my public support for an alternative bill that would address the CTA’s long-term needs without increasing taxes, lawmakers did not send me that bill. In the spirit of compromise, and with a keen awareness of what is at stake for millions of transit riders if a long-term funding solution is not in place by January 20, I will act on the bill passed by the General Assembly as soon as it reaches my desk with one important improvement,” said Governor Blagojevich. “I’m particularly concerned about seniors who live on fixed incomes and who don’t have the ability to absorb a higher sales tax without making cuts in other areas. That’s why I will rewrite the bill to allow all senior citizens in Illinois to take public transportation for free.”
The Governor’s amendatory veto will require transit agencies statewide to allow senior citizens, aged 65 and older, to use main line and fixed route public transit service for free. A senior who uses public transportation twice a week could save $176 a year on CTA fares, $156 a year on Pace fares and $405 a year on Metra fares. There are approximately 1.3 million seniors living in communities across Illinois that have mass transit service.
SB 656 provides over $494 million in new, recurring funding for the Regional Transportation Authority, which includes the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace; and another $50 million for transit agencies in other parts of Illinois. With a long-term funding plan in place, the Chicago area transit agencies have said they will not cut services, raise fares or lay-off workers on January 20, as planned. The legislation also implements important pension and oversight reforms within the RTA.
As soon as the legislature sends SB 656 to the Governor, he will submit his amendatory veto to legislators for their approval.
-30-
Comments Off  
|
* 12:17 pm - The hour of 11 o’clock having finally arrived, the Senate is now in session. Listen or watch here.
* 1:10 pm - The Senate is now taking up the mass transit bill.
*** 1:25 pm *** The Senate has passed the mass transit bailout bill with 30 votes. It now goes to the House later today and then on to the governor’s desk, where an amendatory veto is expected.
* 1:42 pm - This is just the tip of the iceberg. There were more management layoffs today. Lots.
Dan Miller, the Sun-Times business editor, resigned today, telling his staff he expects the paper to be sold within a matter of months and wants to leave before he becomes a casualty of pending staff cuts.
Mr. Miller’s announcement comes days after the Sun Times Media Group began announcing newsroom layoffs as part of a $50 million cost-cutting effort.
One name circulating as a potential buyer is Denver-based MediaNews Group, led by William Dean Singleton. MediaNews Group was not immediately available to comment.
Miller is a great guy and I wish him nothing but the best. And the same goes for everyone else who got whacked today.
* 1:50 pm - Sen. James Clayborne changed his vote from yesterday’s “Present” to “Yes” today, which allowed the bill to pass. The roll call is here.
* 1:52 pm - Oops. I should’ve mentioned that the House is debating the transit bill.
*** 2:06 pm *** 62 House members just voted to send the transit bill to the governor’s desk.
*** 2:19 pm *** The House has approved the governor’s changes to the BIMP bill. The Senate did so yesterday. It’s done.
* 2:25 pm - The House has adjourned. Now, all we have to do is wait and see what the governor does to the mass transit bill.
* 2:35 pm - A new day? Sen. Rickey Hendon attended a press conference with House Speaker Michael Madigan a few minutes ago. Yes, you read that right.
Both men publicly demanded that the governor sign the transit bill without changes. Hendon, who recently all but called Madigan a racist, wouldn’t disclose what the governor said to him after the Senate action today. Hendon said during debate he planned to go to Blagojevich’s office and insist that he sign the bill without changes.
By the way, there were rumors from some insiders weeks ago that Blagojevich was signaling that he could change his mind on his sales tax veto pledge if he got a capital bill and perhaps healthcare expansion. But those rumors stopped.
* 2:44 pm - Statement from Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon…
“Organized labor strongly urges Governor Blagojevich to sign the legislation without making any adjustments to the language by use of his amendatory veto power.
“The workers, riders, and general public have suffered through this ordeal for far too long. State Senators and Representatives have listened to the people and come up with a solution. Now it’s time for the governor to do the same and put an end to the issue once and for all by signing it into law.”
* 2:56 pm - Stand by for the guv.
*** 3:24 pm *** The governor just said that he will, indeed, change the mass transit bill, but he won’t veto out the tax hike language. Instead, he will AV it to allow senior citizens to ride free statewide.
Weird, eh?
Apparently, I should have put more stock into those rumors all those weeks ago that he would not veto the tax hike. Such is life, I suppose.
* 3:51 pm - The Tribune headline writer’s take isn’t so kind: “Blagojevich holds up transit funding”
The governor’s unusual move capped a frenetic 24-hour round of legislative negotiating that raised hopes of an agreement to end the months-long funding fight and avert service cuts and fare hikes scheduled for Jan. 20. But the governor’s decision will send the legislation back for further consideration in the House and Senate.
“We can’t say that all’s well that ends well, because this is not over yet,” said Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief sponsor.
*** 3:57 pm *** People are wondering in comments why the governor would make such a change, rather than simply ask Senate President Emil Jones to include the language in the original bill.
One theory might be that the governor has relentlessly attempted to expand his executive authority. So, if he makes an unconstituionally excessive amendatory veto of a bill that is such a hot potato, Speaker Madigan will be put in a box. Accept it and give the governor some precedent for future AVs, or strike it down and suffer the wrath of seniors and transit riders.
Food for thought.
Madigan, by the way, is flying home at the moment and can’t be reached.
*** 4:03 pm *** From the guv’s people…
Some clarification on what the Governor’s Amendatory Veto “costs” for downstate. The bill that passed includes $50 million for downstate transit systems. The Governor’s amendatory veto will allow seniors anywhere in the state to ride for free. The total statewide cost of this change is approximately $20 million. The approximate cost for downstate transit (collectively) is about $1 million. So, $50 minus $1 million the cost of the program means downstate transit is still getting $49 million. [Emphasis added]
*** 4:47 pm *** Speaker Madigan’s spokesman, Steve Brown, just called. Brown said Madigan wants to “congratulate the governor for breaking his promise” not to raise taxes. Brown added that this was probably the last campaign promise left to be broken. Oof.
More importantly, according to Brown Madigan thinks the Legislature will accept the changes. The House staff is currently srveying members to see when they might be able to return to Springfield.
* 5:16 pm - Sun-Times…
“I’m not going to adjust or change at all the funding mechanism,” he told reporters at 3:15 p.m. “The revenue source the Legislature chose. But what I will do is essentially take what I believe to be a lemon and turn it into lemonade. I’m going to sweeten the bill. I’m going to improve the bill.”
* 5:21 pm - Crain’s…
Even if all of the original “aye” votes hold firm, it will be no easy task to get both the House and Senate back to Springfield on short notice at this time of the year, [Rep. Julie Hamos] added.
“There’s logistical difficulty in getting everyone back, in the middle of winter, two weeks before an election,” she said. “I hope” it happens.
Ms. Hamos said Mr. Blagojevich’s proposed free-ride plan came as a “total surprise” to her and other sponsors.
When she heard of the plan, Ms. Hamos said she asked Blagojevich aides if such plan would be approved later in a separate, “trailer” bill — an action that would allow the subsidy bill to become law immediately.
But the governor’s office replied no, she said.
123 Comments
|
Let’s welcome the new intern
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
You may have noticed that there’s a new name on Morning Shorts. Kevin Fanning, from the U of I at Champaign, started work today. He’s heading over to the Statehouse in a few minutes to cover the Senate while I write my Sun-Times column. So, it’s gonna be trial by fire on his first day.
Last year’s intern Paul Richardson, who recruited and helped train Kevin, will still be around. He’ll occasionally write pieces for the blog and for Illinoize.
Anyway, I thought you might want an opportunity to welcome Kevin to the fold and wish Paul luck.
22 Comments
|
Question of the day
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
My Treo is on its last legs. It’s been dropped too many times on the marble floors at the Statehouse, not to mention it once got caught in a ceiling fan blade and was sent hurling across a room.
I like the functions, but the Treos are big and heavy as a brick. So, I’m thinking about a Blackberry.
Question: If you’re a Blackberry user, would you recommend that I get one? Explain if you would, please.
Also, how’s your cell phone carrier’s service? I’d consider switching from Verizon if there’s something better out there.
Thanks.
…Adding… Thanks for all the suggestions so far. For those who have wondered, my requirements are:
* QWERTY keyboard (I post to the blog from my Treo during session days and need to continue doing so)
* Strong battery life (for those long Statehouse days and nights)
* Mac compatibility (That’s why I’m looking at the BBerry - there are programs to convert it to Apple)
* Camera (You just never know when that’ll come in handy)
* I don’t use the phone much for appointments or other applications. Calls, Internet, texting and e-mail make up 99.9 percent of what I do.
Thanks again.
57 Comments
|
Train wreck
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told you yesterday that the House passed two different versions of the mass transit bailout bill. A similar bill came up short in the Senate. Republicans were under severe pressure to vote against the proposal in the Senate, but three ended up voting for it. The problem in the end turned out to be Democrats…
A mass transit bill passed the Illinois House Wednesday night, but fell one vote short in the Senate. Because three senators abstained– the bill’s sponsor is expected to bring the bill back for another vote Thursday.
* More details about the Senate vote…
“We’re still working, trying to get the votes,” said Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.
[Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson] was not on the Senate floor to cast a vote when the Senate plan fell short of approval by one vote.
Halvorson had voted for the amendments, but took a walk on the actual bill.
* Senate President Jones blamed Republicans for the bill’s defeat, but he was obviously surprised by the result. Here’s some of his rationale…
The veteran leader said he thought he would get more suburban Republican votes on the plan—there were three—and that he couldn’t get enough votes from his fellow Democrats because so many Downstate senators held out for a statewide construction program. The legislation got 29 votes. There are 37 Democratic senators, so that means Jones got 26 of them to go along.
“I knew it was going to be difficult getting a bill out of the Senate,” Jones said. “I have a block of downstaters … who didn’t’ vote for the bill because of capital. There is nothing new.”
* Meanwhile, Sen. Hendon guaranteed that the governor would sign the transit bill last night, even though the governor has long said that he opposed any sales tax increase, which was included in the Senate proposal. Blagojevich has also said he would “improve” the bill with an amendatory veto if it contains a tax hike…
State Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bailout, said he believed Blagojevich would sign the sales tax plan if lawmakers could get it to his desk.
A Blagojevich spokeswoman begged to differ.
“Nothing about the governor’s position has changed,” said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.
* Hizzoner made a good point about those promised gubernatorial “improvements“….
…any change [Blagojevich] would make through his gubernatorial authority to rewrite legislation still would need to return to the legislature for acceptance or rejection, a risky maneuver after months of gridlock. If lawmakers couldn’t agree with the governor’s actions, they would go back to square one, leaving commuters in the lurch and literally out in the cold as they wait longer for public transportation in January.
In Chicago, Daley said Blagojevich should not stay quiet. “Why doesn’t he improve it now?” the mayor asked.
* More from the mayor…
Daley is exasperated that the governor would talk about ways to use his amendatory veto power to “improve” the bills after the fact. Why not do it before, the mayor said.
“It’s unfair to everyone,” Daley said. “You don’t do business that way.”
24 Comments
|
Don’t hold your breath
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As I told you yesterday, a judge has ruled that Gov. Blagojevich must hand over federal subpoenas requested through the state’s Freedom of Information Act. But we’re not gonna see them for quite a while…
[Sangamon County Circuit Judge Patrick Kelley] did not order the governor to immediately hand over the documents to the Better Government Association, which sued to get them.
He will not order that as long as there is an appeal pending. Blagojevich lawyer Thomas Londrigan said an appeal was certain.
* Even so, it seems doubtful that the governor will ever prevail…
Kelley ruled that Blagojevich aides showed no ‘’competent evidence'’ that secrecy remained vital, despite a standard statement that accompanied the subpoenas saying disclosure could hamper an investigation.
* Their case stinks…
In defending Blagojevich, Londrigan said releasing subpoenas violates federal criminal laws. He said the BGA was trying to circumvent federal law by asking a judge to use state public-access law to decide the matter. But answering a question from Kelley, Londrigan acknowledged that a witness who has received a subpoena can’t be reprimanded for revealing it. And he pointed out that Blagojevich is a public official, so documents he receives become public records under the FOIA.
Oops.
* The BGA’s Jay Stewart was not pleased with the prospect of an appeal…
“If the governor actually believed any of his rhetoric about ethics, there wouldn’t be any appeal,” Stewart said. “The last thing he really wants to do is level with the public and let them know what’s going on with his administration.”
* The bills from these FOIA cases are piling up…
The governor’s quest for secrecy is getting expensive for taxpayers. According to the state comptroller’s office, the state has paid more than $150,000 to private attorneys who are representing the governor’s office in FOIA lawsuits aimed at prying loose the subpoenas.
The state has paid more than $33,800 to Londrigan, Potter and Randle, a Springfield law firm that is representing the governor in the BGA lawsuit. Taxpayers have paid another $124,850 to Bell, Boyd and Lloyd, a Chicago firm that is representing Blagojevich in a pending FOIA lawsuit filed in Cook County by Judicial Watch, a Washington, D.C., government watchdog group seeking the same subpoenas.
11 Comments
|
Nuke proposal “in jest”
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* State Rep. Aaron Schock now claims that his goofy idea to sell nuclear missiles to Taiwan was “in jest.”
On Tuesday, he told the Journal Star editorial board, “When I made the statement, the tone in which I made it was more in jest.”
After he made the comment, his campaign manager told the press that it was a “deeply thought-out policy,” but the ensuing uproar forced Schock to back down. Reaction to his latest twist in reasoning was, understandably, not favorable…
“It’s irresponsible, it’s reckless and it’s downright frightening to discuss nuclear warfare in jest,” said Matt Bisbee, spokesman for Jim McConoughey, one of Schock’s opponents. “It’s unbelievable to me that you can discuss something with such severe consequences in a campaign for U.S. Congress in jest. It just doesn’t make any sense and screams irresponsibility. That is absolute poor judgment.” […]
“It all seems a little slippery. I don’t care what he calls it, I just wish he would stick with one story,” said John Morris, who is also seeking the GOP nod for the 18th Congressional District seat being vacated by Ray LaHood. “Congress is a big job, and what you say matters and has an impact on the safety and security of the American people.”
* Regardless of the hooplah, Schock is still considered the frontrunner and scored a major endorsement this week…
The Sangamon County GOP is getting behind state Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, for the U.S. House seat in the 18th Congressional District. […]
“I guess one of the things you have to take into account is that all of the polls that we have looked at and studied indicate that he … is in the lead and will probably win the nomination,” [party chairman Tony Libri] said.
“It was a tough decision, because I’ve got to tell you, I like the other two candidates very much.”
* More congressional stuff…
* Biggert challenger downplays ‘04 arrest
* Predictions on Hastert, Weisner, and Oberweis
* WurfWhile: Chris Lauzen Celebrates Pastoral With Dead Cows In Jim Oberweis Hit Piece IL-14
* Laesch handouts on Oberweis investments in China
* Right-hand men: A look at the 18th District GOP primary’s campaign chiefs
* 11th CD GOP candidate Jimmy Lee kicks off district campaign tour
* Seals, Footlik tell differences at 1st debate
* 8th District candidates spar on education
...By the way… I should have pointed out earlier today that the reporter who wrote the “in jest” story is one I’ve criticized in the past for being too easy on Schock. This time, she did one heckuva good job. Welcome to the game.
20 Comments
|
Smoking rules blocked *** UPDATED x1 ***
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules overwhelmingly rejected the administration’s proposed rules to implement the statewide smoking ban yesterday…
At Wednesday’s meeting, members of the panel said the proposed rules neglected an important aspect of the smoking ban: the due-process rights of anyone who is accused of violating the ban.
Lang said the rules don’t spell out a process for appealing a violation of the smoking ban. An individual who stands accused of a violation has just two choices, paying the fine or fighting the matter in circuit court, he added.
“Lack of due process threatens the public interest and welfare,” Lang said.
He and other lawmakers urged Department of Public Health officials to spend another 30 days drafting the proposed rules, but agency officials said they didn’t want to do that.
So, the department refused to add due process requirements into the rules, passed on taking another crack at it, then watched as JCAR voted 9-1 against implementing its draft.
* More…
Under the law, an individual who violates the ban can be fined between $100 and $250. A business that fails to comply can be fined at least $250 for the first offense, with higher fines for additional offenses.
“The rulemaking contains no process by which an accused violator can argue that no violation occurred, appeal a finding of a violation or appeal the amount of the imposed fine. An alleged violator’s only options are to pay the fine or challenge enforcement action through the circuit court,” said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie.
But Marilyn Thomas, chief legal counsel for Public Health, said the fact that violators can seek redress in the state court system does provide due process.
* And more…
But lawmakers had other problems, particularly with the 15-foot, smoke-free zone.
State Sen. Brad Burzynski, a Sycamore Republican also serving on the committee, offered one example of uncertainty on violations of the 15-foot rule — smokers waiting at a bus stop outside a restaurant or business’ door.
“Is that the shop owner’s responsibility or liability?” Burzynski said.
Hultgren added he’s concerned businesses may be investing in outdoor smoking shelters, patios or beer gardens to make smoking patrons happy only to have those investments jeopardized by the uncertainty over the 15-foot zone.
* DPH can now either rewrite the rules and resubmit them to JCAR or, as it has done before, simply ignore JCAR and order the rules implemented without approval. No word yet on what will happen.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From a reader…
Overlooked in all the publicity about the smoking rules was the fact that JCAR issued ANOTHER filing prohibition yesterday against yet another HFS attempt to expand healthcare services (preventive care services for adults 21 and older) with NO explanation of how they were going to pay for it. The HFS rules coordinator indicated that the agency would take the prohibition “under advisement,” meaning, of course, they will probably ignore this one too.
24 Comments
|
Morning shorts
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Rep. Jim Watson to serve in Iraq with the Marines
* House members wish Watson well
* Phone on, mind off, task force is told - Panel on distracted driving meets for first time
* State tax auditors charged with taking payoffs from attorney
* Voter registration soars in Illinois
About 10,000 people registered in the week leading up to Tuesday’s deadline — roughly triple the figures from past presidential primaries, said Jim Allen, a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
* Illinois to play bigger role in the primary
* Richardson drops out of race
* Unions put chips on Obama
* Daley wants earlier curfew for teens; more here
Daley wants to turn back the clock by 30 minutes to prevent what happened last year, when 24 Chicago Public Schools students were gunned down. Chicago’s homicide rate stands at a 40-year low. But, all too many of the 442 murder victims in 2007 were young people.
* McQueary: A tribute to Bert Docter
12 Comments
|
|
Comments Off
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
   
|
Hosted by MCS
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax
Advertise Here
Mobile Version
Contact Rich Miller
|
